TRANSFORMING YEOVIL OCTAGON INTO A FLAGSHIP CENTRE FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS.
1 March 2023
Councillors of South Somerset District Council have voted to approve planning permission for the redevelopment of The Octagon Theatre.
The redeveloped theatre will provide amazing opportunities for all Somerset residents and bring world class artists to the county as well as spark economic regeneration for the area and be a source of joy, entertainment and inspiration for generations to come.
The redeveloped Octagon Theatre will include an increased seating capacity in the main auditorium from 622 to 900, two new smaller cinema/studio spaces for film screenings and spoken word, a dance studio which will become the new home for the Octagon Academy, a community studio as well as a greatly improved café bar area open throughout the day, improved front of house and customer facilities, improved backstage accessibility and the construction of a fly tower, enabling larger visiting companies to use the venue which would bring a new range of shows. A Changing Places Toilet will also be provided for those with additional needs.
Colin Cobb, Partner at FCBStudios said “Our reimagining of Yeovil Octagon theatre will give a dramatic new identity to this vibrant cultural facility, positively impacting on the arts in Somerset. With a larger auditorium, new studio spaces and an open and welcoming foyer it will provide spaces for people to meet, engage, and enjoy the arts.”
The low carbon extension to the existing 1974 theatre is designed to engage with the neighbouring Country Park, as well as the town. This connection to nature continues through an expressed ‘forest-like’ timber structure to the front of house areas, and the anticipated use of timber from the site in the foyer joinery finishes.
FCBStudios are working with Theatreplan, E3, Momentum and Arup Acoustics to deliver the plans for the theatre.