Hiring the venue for performances
We have three rooms that are suitable for performances; The Corn Exchange main Auditorium, The Harpur Suite and The Civic Theatre. Each is unique and has its own desirable qualities.
The Corn Exchange Main Auditorium
With
a flexible stage and optional tiered seating the main Auditorium is the largest
of our rooms.
The stage provides a variety of options and its depth can be set anywhere between 4.8m / 16 foot and 8.5m / 28 foot. Risers are also available to set musicians or other performers at differing levels. Depending upon the stage size and the type of seating employed, the Main Auditorium can seat an audience of between 461 and 830
Three dedicated dressing rooms are available for performers, equipped with toilets and showers; there is also the option of utilising the Miller and Bunyan Rooms as production or green rooms.
Full stage lighting and sound system are available please click here for details of all our technical equipment.
The Howard Room is generally used as the interval bar although if required a bar is available within the Corn Exchange Main Auditorium itself.
The Harpur Suite
A favourite for cabaret style shows, particularly our monthly Comedy Club, the Harpur Suite can seat a maximum of 160 patrons whichever style of seating you choose. The Harpur Suite also has its own bar suitable for interval drinks as well as food service.
Stage lighting and sound system are also available, please click here for details of all our technical equipment.
The Civic Theatre
A traditional theatre with its own tiered seating and balcony, The Civic Theatre has a wonderfully authentic atmosphere and boasts a classic Victorian stage which is 8.7m wide x 5.7m deep with rope and wire pulleys.
A favourite with local amateur dramatic clubs, the Civic Theatre houses an annual panto production. Similarly the venue is ideal for professional productions which appeal to a more selective audience.
The Civic Theatre has
a lighting and sound system suitable for every event, and our in-house technical
crew can be available to assist in both show set-ups and performances. With
a purpose built box office, two dressing rooms and interval bar facilities
on request, the Civic Theatre is perfect for a variety of smaller productions
and can seat an audience of up to 285.
Marketing & Publicity Arrangements
Bedford Corn Exchange does not have a marketing department and as the hirer you would be responsible for promoting your own event. However we will assist you by undertaking the following:
- Providing you, the hirer, with a local press list.
- Displaying your posters and leaflets in and around the venue.
- Displaying your posters at 9 Borough Council operated leisure sites.
- Sending your posters to local community centres, Tourist Information Centres and businesses for them to display.
- Listing your event on our website, along with images and text you provide.
- Providing you with mailing lists (at an additional cost) if required.
- Forward you details of the Bedford Events brochure, the local listings guide or inform you if your event is booked after the brochure's deadline.
- Preferably we would require you to provide us with 1,500 leaflets (A5 or 1/3 A4) and 35 A3 or A4 posters for display purposes.
If you would like to discuss
your marketing and publicity arrangements; please email Helen
Draper our Events Co-ordinator.