Big screen comes to the little theatre in new programme

The Arena Theatre is expanding its opening hours in a bid to provide a greater offer to staff and students.

The theatre in Wulfruna Street has been running for 42 years and stages around 200 performances every year.

The venue, which has a 150 seat main theatre along with 60 space Tilstone Studio, bar and café and meeting room, is extending its opening times from three nights a week to six.

As well as eclectic theatre performances, there will be additional nights offering film, spoken word and music.

More than £50,000 has been spent on a cinema screen and new speakers and projection equipment for the theatre’s new Monday Night Film Theatre.

This will screen classic films, revivals, award winners and big screen hits you may have missed first time around - all screened at 6pm every Monday.

Films lined up so far include Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, Groundhog Day, The Exorcist which is celebrating its 45^th anniversary, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Avengers: Infinity War.

A special sing-along screening of The Greatest Showman will be staged on October 22 to launch the new programme. Tickets are free but are expected to be in high demand and will be available to a combination of invited guests/a first come first served basis. Contact the Arena on the contact details below.

General film prices will range from £6 for the public, £5 for concessions and £3.50 for staff and students and season tickets will also be available.

The theatre will be open for longer too between 10am and 10pm with a new catering offer including hot food, coffee, cake and snacks and after 5pm a fully licensed bar will be in operation.

A number of Theatre Supper nights will be held on October 23 and November 27 where guests can get food and drink as part of their experience.

A new outdoor seating area has also been created on the terrace outside the theatre.

Neil Reading, Venue Manager of the Arena Theatre, said: “We’re really excited to be offering a wider range of performance over six nights a week for the first time in our history.

“The main thing we want to do is encourage greater engagement with staff, students and the wider Wolverhampton audience.

“People will know The Arena for its innovative theatre experiences but we want to be able to appeal to a broader audience and become a destination of choice for arts and entertainment in the city.

“We think by offering a range of options such as film, spoken word and music we can attract new audiences and encourage new talent too.

“The changes will keep us as relevant as possible and by providing longer opening times and more food and drink will mean we create an opportunity for more people to come and experience what the Arena has to offer.”

Vice-Chancellor Geoff Layer said: “I’m a huge fan of what the Arena does and am proud that its part of the University. It is a fantastic venue in the heart of the city centre and a great space for staff, students and the wider public to come to and enjoy a range of arts and entertainment.”

The Arena is funded by the University of Wolverhampton and Arts Council England.

For a full programme of events visit the Arena Theatre website or contact the box office on 01902 321321.