HOW DO YOU IMPROVE RURAL ACCESS TO THE ARTS? BUILD A BIGGER THEATRE

Yeovil Octagon Theatre
Octagon Theatre Yeovil

Yeovil's 1974 theatre was built as a multi-purpose hall, and has, over time developed into a dedicated theatrical space that has become stretched far beyond its original intention and capacity.
 
Our reimagining of the theatre sees it as a vibrant cultural facility embedded in the wide community it serves. The main venue will be increased in size to seat 900 alongside a major refit of technical facilities and the addition of a fly tower. New studio spaces will provide dance lessons, community activities and classes, while two additional cinemas will offer mainstream cinema, boutique arthouse cinema and the ability to be used for spoken word events.

The front of house will be expanded and improved, with a café open throughout the day and an evening restaurant. It will be a living, connected, social and creative space for events, performance, and exhibitions.

Despite the expansion of facilities, the venue will deliver significant sustainability improvements in both embodied carbon and operational energy usage.

Key Information

Sector: Arts & Culture, Heritage & Creative Reuse, Interior Design

Client: Somerset Council

Location: Yeovil

Completion: 2025

Size: 5,200 sqm GIA

A venue that will not only benefit the local community, but also bring the opportunity for all to access the world-class arts here in Somerset. 

Adam Burgan, Arts & Entertainment Venues Manager

FOR AND OF THE COMMUNITY   

The theatre will be a lively space for classes, cafe and workshops, and have an expanded entertainment offer in the enlarged main auditorium and new cinemas, with a programme that appeals to a broad audience. The building will be more accessible for all guests with accessible toilets on every level, an adult changing facility and inclusivity embedded throughout the venue. 

MAKING A NATURAL CONNECTION

The theatre sits on the edge of a country park, with the foyer and studio spaces turned to open towards the woodland. Our design visually echoes the woodland through its autumnal tones. This connection to nature continues through a forest-like timber structure to the front of house, and the use of timber in foyer interiors. 

yeovil octagon theatre

Team

Architect
Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Structural engineer
Momentum Engineering
M&E consultant
E3 Consulting Engineers
Landscape architect
LT Studio
Access consultants
Jane Toplis Associates
Acoustic engineers
Arup Acoustics
Planning consultant
David Clarke Consultants
Quantity surveyor
Currie and Brown
Theatre consultant
Theatre Plan

FCBStudios Team Leads