Blackfriars Arts Centre

The foyer and refreshment areas of the Blackfriars theatre are situated in the remains of the Frater building which was once part of the Dominican Friary. The theatre auditorium and stage areas were constructed on the former Lesser Cloister at the rear of the Frater. To the stage right of the building is Spain Court, lined on both sides with Georgian cottages. At least three of these have been incorporated into theatre extensions although their exteriors remain unaltered. The two storey frontage is of local rubble stone. The first floor has windows with leaded lights.

To the left of the foyer is a Revue Bar large enough to accommodate a small portable stage which can be used for small instrumental or vocal groups. There is a rehearsal room and art gallery on the first floor and an art studio on the second level.

The auditorium is fan shaped in a single rake. There are short slips on either side. The ceiling and walls are plain with a prominent sounding board above the proscenium arch. Flat stage, with scene dock and paint room. Beneath the stage is a cinema projector, and a series of mirrors which permit films to be transmitted through a trap door in the stage for back projection. There is one fly gallery on stage right, 15 feet above the stage, with 23 hemp lines. The wooden grid, is approached by ladder.

Intelligent use has been made of the available space for an intimate and pleasantly functional theatre which is not visible from any of the surrounding streets. It is a pity the small seating capacity prevents the booking of more adventurous productions.