The Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre

The site of the present building in Taunton was a field originally called the Rack Hay, where cloth was stretched out on racks to dry by the plentiful water supply of the River Tone. This later became used for coal storage, and as an orchard – hence the name Coal Orchard – and gave way to the brewing business from 1853. The late 18th century Old Brewery House was sold in 1913, and was used as a social club by the various electricity boards, until 1975, when the premises were leased to the Taunton Theatre Trust. In 1975 the theatre was built alongside, and opened in 1977. The Old Brewery House (which had received a preservation order) was converted into ancillary accommodation including kitchen, bar, restaurant and meeting rooms. The new build theatre was constructed in warm brown bricks with concrete dressings, its geometric form and projecting foyer staircase a prevailing feature. The juxtaposition between the two – not unpleasing – preserves the historic building, with the new complimenting the old. The building underwent further refurbishment in 1996. The front of house (in the new build) consists of a foyer with box-office, and stairs leading to the fan-shaped auditorium as well as access to the bar and refreshment areas in the long gallery, the latter forming the link between the theatre and the Old Brewery House. The 350-seat theatre is designed in raked tiers, giving excellent sightlines, and also giving the illusion of spaciousness. The stage is thrust, and is trapped, with a flexible orchestra pit which can be covered to give a further 3 m of thrust stage. A vomitory was built to enable entrances and exits via the front of the stage. A passage beneath the tiered seats gives circulation to the main stage and also acts as access to the front of house. Doors at either side of the cyclorama lead to two dressing rooms. The stage lighting is from a roof-suspended bridge which follows the shape of the tiers and connects at either end with two lighting slots. There is a smaller studio and an array of workshops, a gallery, education spaces, long dock and a get-in from the large car park which offers easy access. It is a landmark building within Taunton, and much landscaping has been undertaken around it to provide a civic and recreational public space. As an arts centre and theatre it provides Taunton with a medium scale performance venue.