As we look ahead to our 50th anniversary in 2027, we’re really pleased to share that Taunton Brewhouse has been awarded £527,000 from Arts Council England to support an upgrade of our auditorium and studio lighting — much of which has been in place since we first opened our doors in 1977.
This is a huge moment for us, and one that will make a real difference to both our audiences and the artists we welcome to our stages.
A brighter, more sustainable future
This project will see the electrics in both our Main Auditorium and Studio Theatre replaced with modern, dynamic LED systems. As well as improving the quality of what you see on stage, these new lights are far more energy-efficient – helping us to reduce electricity use, lower our environmental impact, and manage long-term costs at a time when theatres everywhere are facing increasing financial pressures.
Our Executive Director, Vickie Robbins, said:
“We are absolutely thrilled and extremely grateful to Arts Council England to have our contribution to the cultural life of Somerset recognised like this. It is wonderful that this long-overdue upgrade will be achieved during our 50th anniversary year. We can now look forward to another 50 years, underpinned by sustainable, state of the art lighting systems.”
What this means for you
Beyond the environmental benefits, this upgrade will also transform what’s possible on stage. The new lighting will allow us to create more vibrant, immersive, and dynamic experiences – bringing performances to life in ways that previously required hiring in specialist equipment. In short, it means even more exciting, visually engaging shows for you to enjoy.
Looking ahead – Fit at 50
This lighting upgrade is the first step in our Fit at 50 campaign — our wider initiative to modernise the Brewhouse and make sure it’s ready to serve the people of Somerset for many years to come.
Future plans include improvements to:
- Roof surfaces
- Insulation and heating
- The Brewers House building
- Accessibility across the venue
How you can help
To complete this first phase, we still need to raise £20,000 in match funding.
We’re therefore inviting our audiences, supporters, and local community to help us reach this goal.
“If 1,000 people each contributed £20, we will achieve this goal,” says Vickie. “However, we truly appreciate any donation, big or small, as every gift helps us continue to improve our facilities for audiences and performers alike.”
If you’ve ever enjoyed a show here, taken part in a workshop, or simply value having a theatre like ours in your community, we’d love you to be part of this next chapter.
You can donate by clicking here, or if you’d prefer to speak to someone, you can contact our Box Office on 01823 283244 or email boxoffice@tauntonbrewhouse.co.uk. Donations can also be made in person at the Box Office (weekdays 10am–4pm, Tuesdays 10am–2pm) – we’d love the chance to thank you properly.
