The Berry Theatre opened its doors

to the public in April 2011!

Box Office 01489 799499

www.theberrytheatre.co.uk

Bringing Hedge End a full programme of events to include:

*Drama     *Children's Theatre     *Film     *Comedy        *Music    *Educational Projects       *Playwriting        *Resident Youth Theatre Company  and much more...

The Berry Theatre, Wildern Lane, Hedge End, is our state of the art, 312 seat, community theatre located at the heart of the town (Wildern Secondary School site). The extensive project has been funded by Hampshire County Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Hedge End Town Council and Wildern Secondary School.

Keith House, Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council says of the project "Our new professional theatre will create a vibrant and exciting perrformance space for local, national and international names and will bring quality drama, professional children's theatre, film, comedy and music to Hedge End. Eastleigh is continuing to invest in the arts through these difficult times. We understand just how important culture is to the well being of all of our community and we are proud to launch The Berry Theatre on its site at Wildern in the heart of Hedge End."

An exciting element of the theatre's work will be to develop the skills of young people interested in technical theatre and to provide dedicated career advice.

A further raft of educational projects will be offered including new writing which will be championed through The Berry Theatre's links with local secondary schools - inspiring writers of the next generation through taster sessions, writing programmes and master classes in the craft of playwriting.

The Berry Theatre is home to a resident Youth Theatre Company, open to young people ages between 8 and 16. The Company gives members  the invaluable chance to work with a professional creative team - helping to instil them with confidence and to develop their full potential.

Through new production company Hampshire Young Actors Company, The Berry Theatre will also provide opportunities for 18 to 24 year olds wishing to follow a professional career in  theatre.

The Naming of 'The Berry Theatre'

The name was suggested by local resident Sheila Perry after it was opened to the public to submit suitable names in 2010. Inspired by Hedge End's heritage as a strawberry growing area, the name firmly roots the theatre into the area's fruit growing past and into its local community.

Mrs Perry says "As someone who enjoys theatre events I was delighted to hear about this fantastic new facility and to have the opportunity of choosing a relevant name. I felt it should reflect  on local history. I am thrilled that my suggestion has been selected and look forward to the opening."

Mrs Perry will be presented with a personalised engraved plaque on a seat in the theatre's auditorium and a year's free membership to the Berry Theatre's Friends scheme which includes season information and priority booking.

For further information on The Berry Theatre, go to Eastleigh Borough Council's Webpage.

To be added to The Berry Theatre mailing list, please email theberrytheatre@eastleigh.gov.uk and to follow the progress of the theatre as the building work finishes its journey, visit our facebook page The Berry Theatre at www.facebook.com