The theatre is available for hire. We have a particular focus on supporting new and emerging companies, first time writers, producers, and directors, as well as creatives just looking to take a risk. That said, we welcome shows from professionals, emerging, aspiring, community groups and schools.
As many creatives are acutely aware, Fringe theatres including The Hope Street Theatre are facing some of the toughest cultural and economic barriers the UK theatre industry has experienced in recent history. Whilst we do not receive any regular private or public subsidy, we do try to keep our charges to a minimum and support visiting companies in any way that we can.
We operate on a straight hire basis, with companies taking 100% of the box office. For Shows with 3 or more performances, there may sometimes be the possibility of running a performance as a PWYT (Pay What You Think) performance where we share the risk on the hire fee.
To find out more about hiring the theatre, click on the links below, or read through this page:-
- Hire Packages
- What do our charges include?
- Our Fixed Hire Packages
- Are there any extra charges?
- Is there a minimum run length?
- How far in advance do you programme?
- How many people does the theatre seat?
- What type of shows are you looking for?
- Can I get a copy of your tech spec?
- How do I get more information about bringing a show to the theatre?
- How do I book my show in?
- Any Small Print?
1. Hire Packages
We have a fixed cost option of £300 + VAT per day, including a technician and Front of House team.
We have 5 fixed package options – 1 day hire, 2 day hire, 3 day hire, 4 day hire and 5 day hire.
We are currently developing a bespoke package option.
2. What do our charges include
Our fixed packages include:-
- Theatre Hire
- Use of Dressing Rooms and Backstage Facilities
- Get In / Get Out and Tech time
- Theatre Technician
- Front of House Duty Manager
- Ticket Set-Up, Online and Telephone Box Office, regular box office reports (booking charge applies)
- Promotion on Theatre Social Media Channels
- Access to cheap or reduced rate rehearsal space (subject to availability)
- Access to our Handbook, Templates and Resources
- Support and guidance from our Team
For more information on each of the fixed hire packages, please click below.
4. Are there any extra charges?
My show finishes at 10pm and my hire finishes then as well, do I have to pay an extra charge?
Our hire packages are calculated on the basis of your show finishing by 10pm. No extra charges will be incurred providing you are out of the theatre before 10:30pm. On Get Out days, we will not apply extra charges providing you are out of the theatre by 11:00pm. Extra charges are £14 per hour or part thereof + VAT. This is to cover additional staffing costs of a technician.
Matinees
If you add a matinee performance in, we charge an additional £75 + VAT for the space hire. In addition there will be extra technician time at £12 per hour + VAT and Front of House Time at £9.30 per hour + VAT.
Storage of Set/Props after last performance
If you want to leave your set/props in the theatre overnight after the last performance, you will be charged an extra £25 + VAT per night. This option is not always available as it depends on the theatre schedule.
Extra rehearsal time
Extra Rehearsal time (outside fixed hours) is charged at £8 + VAT per hour without technician time and £14 + VAT per hour with technician time. Extra time is subject to availability.
Configuration changes
The theatre is configured as End On. If you want to use any of the other 6 configurations (traverse, thrust [4 different variations] or in the round), there is a £200 + VAT charge, which is reduced to £100 + VAT for a 4 or 5 day hire.
5. Is there a minimum run length?
There is no minimum run length. We welcome shows to the theatre for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days and have packages for each option. If you want to bring a longer run to the theatre, we can also accomodate that subject to availability.
6. How far in advance do you programme?
We programme upto 6 months in advance but can pencil dates beyond this. For 1 or 2 night shows, we programme up to 4 months in advance. Sometimes we have last minute availability, so it is always worth checking our theatre calendar (on our resource website).
7. How many people does the theatre seat?
We can accomodate between 90 – 110 people using the End On configuration (which is Layout 1), depending on how the seating is set out and the depth of stage required. Layout 1 is the default configuration. For Layout 2 (TRAVERSE) – 92 seats. For Layout 3 (THRUST A) – 92 Seats. For Layout 4 (THRUST B) – 80 Seats. For Layout 5 (THRUST C) – 74 Seats. For Layout 6 (THRUST D) – 94 Seats. For Layout 7 (IN THE ROUND) – 80 Seats. To see our seating plans and layouts, please complete the form on the right handside of this page, clicking on “Bring A Show To The Theatre”.
End On, shown below.
8. What type of shows are you looking for?
We don’t set any guidelines about the type of shows that are staged in the theatre. We welcome contemporary plays, classics, reimagined classics, new writing, musicals, new musicals, operas and touring shows.
Sundays
On Sundays, we welcome any of the above plus stand up, sketch comedy, concerts, cabaret, magic shows, spoken word, readings, workshops, anything really!
Mondays
On Mondays, we welcome all of the above but have a particular focus on new writing work.
9. Can I get a copy of your Tech Spec?
Yes, of course. Please complete the form on the right handside of this page – and we will send across details shortly.
10. How do I get more information about bringing a show to the theatre?
If you would like some more information, please complete the form on the right handside of this page – and we will be in touch shortly.
11. How do I book my show in?
Once you have made a decision to stage a production with us please complete the form below with as much information as possible – COMING SOON. In the meantime, please complete the form on the right handside of this page – and we will be in touch shortly.
Companies are expected to market their own productions. We do what we can to help, with an online listing on our website and on our Ticketing Provider (Ticketquarter) website. We will also support your production with posts on Facebook and Instagram where we can. We have produced a suggested marketing plan and some guidelines for visiting companies and are also happy to advise you on marketing if you need some help.
We use Ticketquarter as our ticketing platform.
All companies are required to use our branding in any advertising, marketing and press releases. We will provide you with links to logos and other branding resources.
Companies can choose their own ticket prices but we ask that you consider our suggested pricing policy (We suggest £10 and £8 (concessions). For professional shows, £12 and £10 (concessions). If its a musical with a live band, we suggest £15 and £12 (concessions)).
