Regis Centre

• Theatre ID
  2823
• Built / Converted
  1979
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre (theatre within a leisure centre)
• Address
  Belmont Street, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 1BL, England
• Website
  • Regis Centre

Details

The Bognor Regis Centre was built on the site of the fine Edwardian Theatre Royal complex which included two other performance spaces and club areas and made a significant architectural statement to the Promenade. The centre as built contained the Alexandra Theatre, the Royal Hall, bar, ambulatory and club room. In 1996 it was leased to Whitbread's which then sub-let the theatre. However, in so doing access to the Promenade was lost, together with the bar. The Royal Hall was converted to a bar. The Alexandra Theatre is the one purpose-built theatre on the coast between Worthing and Portsmouth. With no separate façe, entry to the theatre is through the ambulatory which now also doubles as a front of house area. The auditorium is in two banks of fixed raked seating, within blue painted brick walls leading to a proscenium stage. Above are open lighting bridges. At the rear of auditorium is the control box. The flat stage is of a reasonable size (9.14m x 9.19m) and is equipped with 10 hemp sets and 7 winches. The orchestra pit is on an hydraulic lift and can accommodate 12 musicians. This venue has had a very chequered history but remains an important facility for the town and environs.

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• Other names
  Bognor Regis Centre, Hotham Arts Centre, Watershed, Alexandra Theatre
• Events
  • 1979 Design/Construction:
    • Farrington Denys Fisher - Architect
• Capacities
  • Current: 382
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • pros, flat