St Albans offers a vibrant and varied range of arts and entertainment whatever the weather, whatever the season, day and night. In addition to the venues listed here, there are many other locations within St Albans that host events. The Cathedral & Abbey Church of St Alban offers a packed programme of musical events throughout the year.
You will also find a variety of entertainment on the streets and in the parks and gardens of the city. Though a bustling city centre during the day, at night St Albans comes alive in a different way. Take in some entertainment at one of the theatres, enjoy the atmosphere in one of the many restaurants and make a night of your stay with the pub and club scene which offers a wide variety of live music from both local and nationally known bands.
Maltings Arts Theatre - Consultation
The Maltings Arts Theatre in St Albans is planning improvements to the venue and to its programme of film, drama and music and would like to find out your views.
>>Find out more
Maltings Arts Theatre
One of St Albans best-kept secrets, the Maltings Arts Theatre is an intimate venue that presents an ever changing programme of professional touring theatre, comedy and dance.
Regularly creating a jazz café / cabaret feel in its auditorium, the theatre also offers a wide range of musical evenings.
You can enjoy a drink from the bar whilst listening to the pick of jazz, blues, classical and folk. Most Saturday afternoons, the venue specialises in affordable children’s theatre. This popular programme features everything from traditional fables to modern adventure, using music and song, puppets and masks.
In December there’s a cavalcade of Christmas shows, including the traditional family pantomime. You are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.
The Maltings also offers Drama and Art classes for children and young people aged 5 to 18. The café is open all day and its peaceful atmosphere is a haven where you can escape the crowds and chat over a coffee and a sandwich.
Wednesday lunchtimes often feature classical concerts, so take a break from work, or the bustle of the market, and listen to some of the best musicians St Albans has to offer.
The Maltings Arts Theatre is on the second floor of the Maltings Shopping Centre, next door to the Library.
Box office:
Monday – Saturday, 10:00–17:00 hrs
Address: The Maltings, St Albans. AL1 3HL.
tel: 01727 844222
fax: 01727 836616
email:maltings.arts@stalbans.gov.uk
For more details please visit the Maltings Art Theatre web page.
Harpenden Public Halls
The Public Halls are set on the edge of Harpenden Common and offer an ideal venue for your function in very attractive surroundings. We have a choice of two halls for hire and can accommodate both small and large occasions. We have a licensed bar and can also offer kitchen facilities. The Eric Morecambe Hall is also available for hire as a theatre and seats 380 and a technical specification is available on application.
Harpenden Public Halls is also the home of the Harpenden heARTS Theatre Company, Harpenden's resident professional theatre company as well as of Young heARTS, Harpenden's very own youth theatre.
Box Office Opening Times:
Monday to Friday between 09:00 to 13:00
Tel:01582 767525
General Enquiries:
Harpenden Public Halls
Southdown Road,Harpenden
Herts. AL5 1PD
Email: Harpenden.public.halls@leisureconnection.co.uk
Tel: 01582 762880
Fax: 01582 765464
The Alban Arena
The Alban Arena is Hertfordshire's premier entertainment venue seating over 800 in theatre-style, located in the centre of St Albans. It plays host to a varied programme of touring shows, West End theatre, concerts, comedy, celebrity evenings, children's shows, films, local productions and exhibitions plus a large-scale Christmas pantomime.
Call in to pick up the latest brochure or contact:
Address: Civic Centre, St Albans AL1 3LD
Tel: 01727 844488 (Box Office)
Fax: 01727 865755
Email: alban.arena@leisureconnections.co.uk
Web: www.alban-arena.co.uk
Abbey Theatre
The Abbey Theatre, nestled at the foot of Holywell Hill and overlooked by the Abbey itself, boasts a 230-seat main auditorium and a 78-seat Studio Theatre which allow a flexible programme. An average of ten productions are staged each season by the ‘Company of Ten’, and other groups hire the theatre for their own productions, thus ensuring that nearly every week in the year there is some form of entertainment available.
Address: Westminster Lodge, Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 2DL
Tel: 01727 857861 (Box Office)
Theatre Manager: 01727 847472
Fax: 01727 812742
Email: manager@abbeytheatre.org.uk
Web: www.abbeytheatre.org.uk
OVO @ Pudding Lane
Hidden away right at the heart of the historic city centre of St Albans, OVO @ Pudding Lane is a secret cultural gem. OVO, one of the area’s leading theatre companies, has converted this former dance hall and department store into a small but perfectly formed studio space seating 40 people in intimate and atmospheric surroundings.
The venue presents a programme of innovative, imaginative and inspiring performances that include OVO’s own edgy mix of Shakespeare, classics and new writing, along with the best of the other companies on the local theatre scene. OVO @ Pudding Lane is available for hire as a theatre space, as well as for rehearsals, exhibitions and events.
Tel: 07807 521436
Email: info@ovo.org.uk
Web: www.ovo.org.uk
The SandPit Theatre
The SandPit Theatre is a multi-purpose performance venue on the campus of Sandringham School, a specialist Arts College. The comfortable auditorium seats over 250, and in the bright and welcoming public foyer a café provides audience refreshments. This modern and attractive theatre also has facilities for the disabled. A full programme of in-house productions from members of the school is complemented by productions from community groups and touring companies, nsuring a wide variety of performances of all kinds. Visit the website for details of current and forthcoming events and to join our mailing list.
If you are interested in hiring the theatre, please call the Theatre Manager, Rachel Lloyd.
Address: Sandringham School, The Ridgeway, St Albans AL4 9NX
Box Office & Enquiries: 01727 370067
Email: admin@sandpittheatre.co.uk
Web: www.sandpittheatre.co.uk
Trestle Arts Base
Trestle Arts Base is a 100-year old chapel which has been beautifully converted into a unique contemporary arts centre. Situated on the eastern outskirts of St Albans in Highfield Park, the venue offers a variety of public performances, classes, workshops and spaces to hire throughout the year.
This wonderful building with an intimate theatre, exhibition space, meeting room and rehearsal studio is used by professional performers, community groups, arts organisations, and local businesses for a wide range of activities.
The Arts Base is also the home of the internationally known Trestle Theatre Company and Trestle Young People’s Theatre. The new café is open all day Monday – Saturday and serves great Italian coffees, soup, jacket potatoes, pasta dishes, toasted panini, freshly made sandwiches, squeezed juices and delicious homemade cakes to eat in or take away.
Details of all current productions, exhibitions and events at Trestle Arts Base can be found on the website or by phoning.
Address: Russet Drive, St Albans AL4 0JQ
Tel: 01727 850950
Fax: 01727 855558
Email: admin@trestle.org.uk
Web: www.trestle.org.uk
UHArts, The Weston Auditorium
Founded in 1996, UHArts raises the cultural profile of the University of Hertfordshire through the presentation of professional arts events. The Weston Auditorium is a £3m state of the art 460 seat venue on the de Havilland Campus. Seasonal programmes encompass a lively mix of music, dance, theatre, literature, comedy and the visual arts. Highlighting the best the region has to offer and featuring top notch touring productions, UHArts prides itself on presenting a diverse range of high quality, affordable arts events for staff, students and the wider community.
Address: University of Hertfordshire,
De Havilland Campus,
Hatfield AL10 9AB
Tel: 01707 281127
Fax: 01707 286040
Email: uharts@herts.ac.uk
Web: www.herts.ac.uk/uharts
Date of last review: 12 August 2010