Brampton Little Theatre

• Theatre ID
  3683
• Built / Converted
  1962
• Dates of use
  • 1962: continuing, as community theatre and cinema.
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre (amateur/community theatre)
• Address
  RAF Brampton, Wilson Way, Brampton, Cambridgeshire, PE28 2EA, England
• Website
  • Brampton Little Theatre

Details

For most of its existence, the theatre in Brampton Park has had limited publicity, for it was built on the RAF base. It started life in the early 1950s as the Astra Cinema, the social hub for servicemen and civilians living on the base. In January 1962 it was converted into a theatre, and the Brampton Park Theatre Company has created productions there ever since, as has Brampton Choral Society. The building is simple and rather utilitarian, typical of the military genre - a single storey in brick with flat roof, a small square canopy over the entrance to the foyer and box office, and alternative entrance into the bright, spacious bar and restaurant areas. The auditorium is intimate, seating 99 in a gently raked central block. The end stage is deep but has limited room for flying, so extra lighting hangs on bars over the first part of the stalls seating. Backstage facilities are equally simple with space at a premium, yet still housing costumes, scenery and dressing room space. While the building itself may lack architectural merit, it is acknowledged by performers and audiences alike as an atmospheric theatre space. Its reputation is confirmed through many years of sell-out productions. In 2010 it was announced that RAF Brampton would be decommissioned, but a strong local campaign and huge popular support for - and use of - the theatre, mean that the building will not be demolished as part of the decommissioning. The incumbent companies are working to secure the future use of the building, with plans to renovate and develop the facility into a community arts centre.

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• Other names
  Brampton Park Theatre, Astra Cinema
• Events
  • 1950 - 1959 Design/Construction: as the RAF base's Astra Cinema
  • 1962 Design/Construction: converted to theatre
  • 1962 Use: continuing, as community theatre and cinema.
• Capacities
  • Current: 99
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed