Beam’s Family Festival, supported by an Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant, will run over the bank holiday weekend, with activities including theatre and story-telling sessions, live music, Lego building and more. This will be followed by a week of family-focused shows to round off the school holidays.
There will also be bookable tours of the new state-of-the-art venue which, previously known as Hertford Theatre, has undergone a £30m redevelopment over the last three years. It now features:
Three bespoke cinema screens allowing screenings of newly released films
A main auditorium with seating for 547
A second theatre space with seating for 150
A new dance studio
A riverside café and an additional upstairs bar for cinema goers
A community room
Improved access to all areas of the building, including backstage areas and dressing rooms
BEAM’s varied creative programme will blend the best of touring comedy, drama, music, and family performances while also showcasing local professional and community organisations. The opening weekend will feature the following in the main auditorium:
An Opening Night Comedy Special on Friday, 23 August, headlined by Joel Dommett
Uncle Funk’s Disco Inferno on Saturday, 24 August
In addition to the exciting programme coming to the main auditorium this autumn, BEAM’s three new bespoke cinema screens will begin showing first release films from Wednesday to Sunday each week, from Friday, 23 August.
Sarah Hopewell, Executive Member for Wellbeing, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to know the BEAM doors will be opening in just a few days. So much effort has gone into launching this landmark venue for the arts, and I know that the BEAM team can't wait to welcome you inside!
“The Family Festival is a fantastic way to kickstart the new venue, with a carefully curated programme of events and activities for everyone to enjoy. Thank you again to the BEAM team for their huge level of passion and dedication to this project, our contractors GPF Lewis for the build, the Trison team for our digital screens, Hertford Town Council for contributions towards stage 2 and the many others who have joined us on this journey.”
BEAM’s new delicious and sustainable food and drink offer features pastries, craft beers and wine, coffees and teas, and a range of confectionery. Drinks will be sold exclusively in cans or glass, and visitors will be encouraged to bring reusable bottles and cups. In addition, BEAM is working with Burchill Teas whose products are produced in a 100% solar-powered factory and whose tea bags are plastic free.
To find out more and book tickets, visit the BEAM website: https://beamhertford.co.uk/whats-on/
