About The Place

Since it opened in 2003, The Place Bedford has developed a reputation among local audiences as one of the best places to see high-quality and cutting-edge professional theatre, as well as being the home of Bedford’s best amateur and community-led theatre companies.

A year round programme of theatre, music and film presenting a varied cross-section of work for everyone in the community: spanning children’s theatre, folk music, musical theatre, comedy, as well as our core contemporary drama programme.

We are dedicated to presenting work with a political edge, bringing the highest quality small-scale professional work to Bedford, and increasing the representation of diverse voices and experiences on the stage in Bedford.

Look for our annual thematic weeks supporting Holocaust Memorial (January), Refugee Week (June), LGBT history month (February) as well as our ongoing strand of work ‘MINDSCAPES‘ which uses live theatre as a vehicle to explore aspects of living with mental health conditions. Incorporating work from professional theatre companies around the country, and working together with health professionals and support services.
The venue holds the Family Arts Standards, and we’re really proud of our #dramasinpyjamas initiative encouraging families and young people to share theatre in our friendly and informal atmosphere.

There really is something for everyone at The Place and we’re keen to share it with you. Our Place is Your Place.

History of the venue

The Place was originally a Boys’ Club, built in the late 1960’s, and focusing at that time on boxing, which was a popular pastime of boys and young men at that time… Read More

Venue Staff

Find out more about the staff and volunteer team who help to run The Place Bedford… Read More

 

About Bedford Players Trust

Bedford Players Trust, the parent charity of The Place, was established in 1984 and for the next fifteen years or so it focused on the provision of rehearsal premises for local theatre groups… Read More

Our Funders

The conversion of the building to a theatre complex and its development has only been possible thanks to the time and financial generosity of a great many people and organisations. Major financial grants and donations have been received from the following organisations, and their support is gratefully acknowledged: