View The Octagon Theatre development proposals at our public consultation open days in July

Plans which will see The Octagon Theatre transformed into a centre of excellence are moving forward at pace with final touches being made before a formal planning application is submitted.

The Octagon Theatre and architects Fielden Clegg Bradley (FCBStudios) have arranged two open days which enables the public to come in and view the plans, speak to staff and tell us what you like or don’t like about the final designs.

The public consultation days take place at The Octagon Theatre in the Johnson Studio on:

• Friday 8th July between 10am and 3pm
• Saturday 9th July between 10am and 1pm

The plans have evolved to create a flagship centre for the creative arts that will provide amazing opportunities for our residents and bring world class arts to Somerset.

The proposed Octagon Theatre will include:

• An increased seating capacity in the main auditorium from 622 to 900, with enhanced technical facilities that will improve the comfort for audiences.
• Two new smaller cinema/studio spaces predominately for film screenings but also able to host smaller scale live performances.
• A dance studio which will become the new home for our popular Octagon Academy and be the perfect place for all dance classes. It will be a rehearsal space where local dancers of all ages learn new skills, develop their talents and prepare for performances on stage.
• A community studio offering an alternative space for additional classes. Rehearsals including our popular choir, theatre groups, and arts and craft workshops.
• A greatly improved café bar area open throughout the day for the public and patrons to enjoy and relax.
• Improved front of house and customer facilities
• Improved backstage accessibility
• The construction of a fly tower which can be used for flying scenery, enabling larger visiting companies to use our venue which would bring a new range of shows and entertainment to Yeovil.
• A Changing Places Toilet for those with additional needs that we hope will make our venue, the town centre and Yeovil Country Park more accessible.

Councillor Mike Best, portfolio holder for Health & Well-Being at South Somerset District Council, said: “Our public consultation gives you a final opportunity to see the plans up close and speak with the teams involved in the development before the formal planning application is submitted to the Local Planning Authority.

“I encourage anyone, whether you already come to the theatre or not, to come view the exciting plans which will see The Octagon Theatre transformed into a centre of excellence that will spark economic regeneration for the area and so many opportunities for residents to improve their well-being.”

For anyone unable to attend the public consultation events, you can view the plans and details online and leave any feedback.

You can find out more about The Octagon Theatre redevelopment on our website.