Bacon Theatre

Originally named The New Theatre, the 566-seater venue was opened on 29 October 1991 by the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire; Colonel Sir Martin Gibb . The architect, Richard Slawson, also designed the Edwards Building at Dean Close, consisting of a large dining room and classroom complex. Both buildings featured high sloping wooden roofs, unique at the time of building. The financing of the whole project, some £2 million, was partly funded from the sale of land; partly from careful housekeeping and partly by an appeal. Many local people, including staff and parents of Dean Close, donated sums or items towards the project. Notable donations include the Waterford chandelier hanging in the…

The Bacon Theatre administrates the Open-air Theatre Festival at the Tuckwell Amphitheatre each year. The Tuckwell Amphitheatre is a stone-built open-air venue built in the 1930s, and is currently licensed to hold 300. The Open-air Theatre Festival was piloted in 2004 and is held over two weeks in July and August each year. Regular contributors include Miracle Theatre, Peter Gill, Jenny Wren Productions, Rain or Shine Theatre Company and The Pantaloons.