South West

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Bristol

• ACTA

  ACTA provides opportunities for excluded groups to experience and participate in theatre, by delivering quality arts projects in and around Bristol. Its key areas of activity neighbourhood arts, work with young people, and work with learning disabled people. Projects include theatre, carnival, music, video and visual arts.

  
  
• Bristol Old Vic

  The Bristol Old Vic is an important producing theatre, offering a programme of classical, family theatre and new writing. It has a reputation for co-producing and promoting culturally diverse theatre and has a wide rqnging education programme.

  
  
• Circomedia

  Circomedia is a drama school for circus performers and a circus school for physical actors based in Bristol.

  
  
• Cirque Bijou

  Cirque Bijou is a Bristol-based circus and street theatre company that performs for both public and private events. Images of their performances can be seen on this page and on our what's on section.

  
  
• Kompany Malakhi

  Dance theatre company drawing on a wealth of dance/movement styles such as physical theatre, funk, hip hop culture as well as contemporary dance, jazz and capoeira.

  
  
• Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory

  'SATTF' is one of the leading professional producers of Shakespeare in the U.K. From our inception eight years ago we have mounted annual, two-play spring seasons of Shakespeare (and others) at our home in Bristol's most exciting studio theatre and played a 5-week season in London at the Barbican Centre.

  
  
• Show of Strength Theatre Company

  Show Of Strength has produced new work in non theatre spaces for over twenty years, and created three informal, intimate and accessible new venues in Bristol – most recently the Tobacco Factory (1998).

  
  
• Theatre Bristol

  Its aim is to offer a friendly and informative meeting place for like-minded individuals, where you can list your professional details, network, join discussion groups, find out about jobs and funding opportunities, and hear about performances and events taking place across the city.

  
  
• Tobacco Factory

  The Tobacco Factory theatre is a non-conventional, versatile theatre space, which has been used for performance since 1998. Often described as ‘intimate’ and 'raw', the space seats up to 250 people and can be arranged in the round, end-on, traverse, or thrust. The building used to be, believe it or not, a tobacco factory.

  
  
• Travelling Light

  Travelling Light one of the UK's leading creators of new and stimulating theatre for young audiences. It is a professional touring company taking its work to schools theatres, community venues and festivals in nationally and internationally. Its work is either devised or commissioned scripts, exploring themes and issues of special interest and relevance to young people.

  
  

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Cornwall

• Bash Street Theatre Company

  Since 1991 Bash Street has performed to an estimated 300,000 people. The company has been delighting audiences, both young and old, with its unique style of circus-theatre at major festivals throughout the UK, as well as in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Spain, Bulgaria, Poland, Japan and Hong Kong.

  
  
• Bedlam Theatre Company of Cornwall

  National touring company working with new writers and young people.

  
  
• Carn to Cove

  Carn to Cove is Cornwall’s performing arts touring scheme which brings quality professional artists into rural areas. It works in partnership with local authorities partnerships, to establish audiences for and participation in theatre, dance and music.

  
  
• Hall for Cornwall

  Hall for Cornwall is the largest theatre in Cornwall offering a mix of live theatre shows from musicals, children's shows, gigs, drama, plays and music shows. The Upstage Youth Theatre runs groups for 7-18-year-olds and there’s also vocal groups for 11-16s. Two internships are offered September-June, to work alongside the youth theatre officer and work experience is provided for year 10s during the summer term.

  
  
• Kidz R Us

  Youth theatre based in St Ives, Cornwall.

  
  
• Kneehigh

  From its base in Cornwall Kneehigh produces and tours new, high quality, exciting and engaging theatre for family and mixed audiences to indoor and outdoor venues nationally and internationally.

  
  
• Miracle Theatre

  Miracle Theatre, based in Cornwall, tours original, high quality small-scale theatre for family and mixed audiences to a wide range of rural, community and theatre venues throughout the South West.

  
  
• The Works!

  The Works! is the development agency for dance and theatre in Cornwall, committed to working in partnership with artists, companies, venues, cultural development organisations, educational establishments and community groups to develop a vibrant performing arts ecology in Cornwall.

  
  
• Wildworks Theatre Company

  Wildworks make unique and spectacular landscape theatre - performances and artworks that grow out of their locations; quarries, cliffs, harbours, derelict industrial sites, castles and empty department stores

  
  

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Devon

• Barbican Theatre, Plymouth

  Barbican Theatre, Plymouth, presents issue-based theatre-in-education, providing a venue for small-scale touring and outreach activities. It also runs an open access education programme including youth theatre, dance, stand-up comedy, new writing and trapeze, as well as training and professional development for artists.

  
  
• Big Top Mania

  Family business running circus skills workshops at theatre venues, outdoor events, residencies and schools and hosting big top shows.

  
  
• Forkbeard Fantasy

  Forkbeard Fantasy is an established touring company creating theatre which blends film, amination and cartoon live on stage. The company's touring work is complemented by a programme of education work including summer schools and innovative, interactive film and theatre and exhibitions.

  
  
• Gadzooks Theatre

  Gadzooks is a co-operative organisation which aims to produce demanding theatre supported by on-going training and development of core skills in speech, movement and stagecraft. The main aim of Gadzooks is to take excellent performances out to the community. Membership is required to appear in productions and vote at play selections and AGMs. Workshops and other activities are open to the whole community.

  
  
• North Devon Theatres' Trust

  The North Devon Theatres' Trust is a key partner in audience, theatre, music and dance development in Devon and the region. It aims are promote the improvement and development of artistic knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the arts and their cultural and educational value in North Devon by: maintaining the Queen's Theatre, Barnstaple and the Landmark, Ilfracombe as centres for the performance of ballet, opera, musical and dramatic works; and providing a programme of workshops, seminars and lectures.

  
  
• Northcott Theatre Exeter

  The Northcott is a producing repertory theatre, that is to say the bulk of the productions are staged by the company itself, rather than being brought in from elsewhere. Northcott Theatre Company productions vary from comedies to tragedies, new-writing to classics. The Northcott Young Company (NYC) offers people aged 13 to 21 the ideal opportunity to get involved with the Northcott Theatre.

  
  
• South Devon Players

  Community theatre company in Torbay specialising in new work about local history and myths. Members are aged 16+ and there are always opportunities to take part in performance, techincal, or organisational roles.

  
  
• The Common Players

  The Common Players specialise in producing and touring small-scale original theatre for family and mixed audiences to a variety of indoor and outdoor rural venues in the region. the company also runs wokshops for amateur dramatic groups, schools and young people.

  
  
• The Exeter Phoenix

  The Exeter Phoenix offers a contemporary programme of dance, theatre, music, live art, film, spoken word and visual art. It also offers participatory activities.

  
  
• The Theatre Royal Plymouth

  The Theatre Royal Plymouth is the premier venue for large-scale theatre, music and dance in the south west. The theatre has an active education and community programme which has been enhanced by the opening of the Education and Production Centre.

  
  
• Theatre Alibi

  Theatre Alibi is an Exeter-based contemporary theatre company producing and touring two new shows each year, one for adults and one for children.

  
  
• Villages in Action

  Villages in Action is a rural touring scheme in Devon. It works with local authorities to bring professional performances of theatre, dance, music and arts and participatory workshops to rural communities at affordable prices.

  
  

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Dorset

• Activate Performing Arts

  Activate Performing Arts is the theatre and dance development agency for Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole. It was formed in 2004 as a regularly funded organisation of Arts Council England South West to initiate, develop and sustain a range of dance and theatre opportunities for the people of Dorset and the south west. Artists' development is at the core of the work Activate undertakes.

  
  
• AsOne Theatre

  South Dorset based AsOne Theatre aims to bring quality, professionally devised, multi-media performance - with music and projected image – to venues throughout Wessex.

  
  
• Barrington Centre, Ferndown

  The Barrington Theatre is a 250 seat facility offering professional and amateur shows and plays and is suitable for dancing with its maple sprung floor.

  
  
• Bridport Arts Centre

  Bridport Arts Centre has a theatre and three gallery spaces. It is a pivotal arts provider for West Dorset, delivering a diverse and professional performing and visual arts programme that meets community needs. It plays a central role in developing arts activity in Bridport, with a strong emphasis on youth.

  
  
• Dorset Corset

  An actor musician company bringing theatre to audiences in Dorset.

  
  
• Inside Out Festival

  The Inside Out Festival brings free outdoor performance to Dorset, transforming the landscape with performances by international companies, involving fire sculptures, circus, theatre and dance.

  
  
• Lighthouse

  The largest regional arts centre outside London with a programme including theatre, dance, music, film and exhibitions. Poole's arts centre has a real commitment to learning and providing participatory activities for young people will see a busy programme of workshops, projects and holiday programmes develop into 2010.

  
  
• Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis

  Offering a wide and varied programme of events including live music, local and professional drama and musical productions, and community events.

  
  
• Opera Circus

  Founded by singers in 1990, Opera Circus is known around the world for its accessible and unique approach to opera and music theatre.

  
  
• Regent Centre, Christchurch

  The current events programme is diverse, providing a mix of professional music of all kinds, small to mid- scale touring theatre, film, dance, and extensive use by some ten local amateur companies, representing approximately 400 events annually.

  
  
• The Hub, Verwood

  The Verwood Hub and Merryfield Theatre provide space for community events, films, entertainment, and dancing.

  
  
• Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne

  A 500 seat theatre and cinema that was built in 1936 in the town centre.

  
  

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Gloucestershire

• Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

  Details of what's on and how to book for the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham.

  
  
• Gloucester Guildhall

  The Gloucester Guildhall boasts two cinema screens, a concert hall, theatre, galleries, workshops and café-bar. Regular classes include street dance, breakdancing, drama for the under-5s, juggling and creative writing.

  
  
• Sundial Theatre at Cirencester College

  The Sundial Theatre at Cirencester College was opened in January 1998 as a professional and community venue. The programme includes touring theatre, classical and folk music, lectures and celebrity evenings. Several community groups perform here regularly and the theatre area is used for Performing Arts teaching and college productions

  
  
• The Bacon Theatre

  The 566-seat Bacon Theatre plays host to professional touring theatre, live music, dance, film and celebrity speakers as well as productions by local youth and community groups. It is located in the grounds of Dean Close School, Cheltenham.

  
  
• The Festival Players

  Delivering open air Shakespeare since 1986.

  
  

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Isles of Scilly

• Isles of Scilly Arts and Entertainment

  Some useful info on what's happening on the isles.

  
  

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Somerset

• 4DR Theatre Group

  Young, dynamic, creative group of people, derived from Yeovil College Performing Arts Students.

  
  
• Bridgwater Arts Centre

  Bridgwater Arts Centre is a community Arts Centre, dedicated to creating opportunities for people to get involved in the arts – by taking part as well as watching! In addition we aim to develop and support the work of professional performing and visual artists working in the region.

  
  
• Frome Festival

  A huge community arts and cultural festival in Frome each July.

  
  
• Natural Theatre

  Natural Theatre is a highly successful company, renowned for both its indoor and outdoor comic-visual theatre. The company tours nationally and and internationally and is involved in training new street theatre artists.

  
  
• Octagon Theatre

  A mid-sized touring theatre venue in Yeovil.

  
  
• Regal Theatre, Minehead

  The Regal Theatre stands in the centre of Minehead, and is loved by the people of West Somerset for its wide ranging programme of professional and community entertainment that includes drama, comedy, dance, music and performance of all kinds.

  
  
• Sardine Circus

  Started out as a very small tented circus. In the last ten years Sardine has evolved into a street act, a children's show and now into Sardine Circus Productions, a fully grown theatre company.

  
  
• Scratch Productions

  Scratch Productions produces quirky, eye-catching street theatre featuring a plethora of off-the-wall characters to bring elements of the extraordinary to any occasion

  
  
• Strode Theatre

  A busy small-scale touring venue and arts centre in Street.

  
  
• Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre

  The Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre offers people opportunities to watch and participate in high quality drama, dance and music.

  
  
• The Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre

  The Brewhouse promotes a programme of theatre, music and dance events and runs a contemporary gallery. It also runs a programme of courses, workshops and residencies.

  
  
• The Merlin Theatre

  The Merlin Theatre presents a programme of innovative theatre, dance and music. It also works to link artists in the region with the theatre and local community, running a range of workshops, courses and longer-term community arts projects.

  
  
• The Playhouse

  A mid-scale touring and mixed arts venue.

  
  
• Theatre Royal Bath

  Brimming with history, the Theatre Royal Bath is one of the oldest and most beautiful theatres in Britain. Comprising three auditoria, the Main House, Ustinov Studio and the egg theatre for children and young people, a wonderfully varied programme of top quality entertainment is on offer all year round. The Ustinov Studio is currently closed for refurbishment and is scheduled to reopen early in 2008.

  
  

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Wiltshire

• Arc Theatre Trowbridge

  Presents a programme of dance, theatre, music and children's theatre, supported by an extensive programme of opportunities to participate in theatre and dance activity. The theatre is also the host venue for Trowbridge Film Society.

  
  
• Salisbury Arts Centre

  Salisbury Arts Centre presents a range of of theatre, music and dance events, a visual arts programme and provides a key focus for local community and social activities. It gives particular emphasis to work with and for young people through the and education and outreach activities.

  
  
• Salisbury Playhouse

  Salisbury Playhouse is one of Britain’s leading producing theatres, with a national reputation for work of the highest quality and an extensive participation programme.

  
  
• Sixth Sense

  Sixth Sense produces and tours original theatre for young people. Integrating education and performance programmes, the company takes closely researched issue-based work to a variety of theatre and community venues throughout the country.

  
  
• Wyvern Theatre

  Wyvern Theatre is named after a mythical beast, similar to a dragon, which was once the emblem of the Kings of Wessex. The auditorium has 615 seats and every seat is designed to be no further than 70ft from the stage. It was opened in September 1971 by Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Phillip.