Located in the old Moravian Church (St Luke’s) on St Peter’s Street, Bedford, the Quarry Theatre was specifically designed to provide a facility for use by both the school and the town, in keeping with the School’s and Harpur Trust’s desire to work closely with the local community.
Thanks to the generosity of Old Bedfordians Gareth Quarry (68-77) and Brian Saville (40-48), alongside the many other donations from Old Bedfordians, parents and friends of the school, the theatre opened its doors in 2015 after eight years of planning and development.
Visitors to the theatre are welcomed into a light and airy foyer area complete with front-of-house facilities and a flexible teaching and exhibition area. An impressive double-height rehearsal and teaching studio, modern staff offices and a contemporary extension around the Chapel Chancel completes the complex, offering a superb hospitality area opening out onto landscaped gardens.
Technical Development
The Theatre contains innovative stage lighting, sound and studio systems which give both performers and audiences the very best theatre experience.
A Community Focus
With its position at the edge of the school estate and entrance on St Peter’s Road, the theatre is a perfectly positioned arts facility which is used by the school, the town and visiting artists.
Since opening its doors, it has become an important arts facility for the town, with a diverse offering of shows and productions and hosts the annual Bedford Festival Fringe.
Over the years, many Old Bedfordians, who benefited from its facilities, have returned to run specialist workshops with current pupils. This has enabled pupils to benefit from a wider, enriched curriculum.
Name your Seat
There is an opportunity to be part of the theatre by naming a seat. Your donation to the project will be acknowledged by the name(s) of your choice being inscribed on a seat plaque in the new auditorium.
“Naming a seat for a family member will be a wonderful way to give a lasting gift. And it is fantastic to know that I am also supporting the performing arts both at the school and for the town.”
Naming a seat makes the perfect birthday, anniversary or wedding gift. It is a unique and personal way to mark a special occasion, remember a loved one, or celebrate someone dear. Colleagues, relatives or friends could club together to recognise someone special or record an individual’s association with the School.
Plaques can be engraved with the name(s) only, or prefixed by ‘Donated by’, ‘A gift for’ or ‘In memory of’, for a maximum of two people, or a family name, e.g. ‘The Smith Family’.
Click the link below to download the form to make a donation for your seat, and for more information.