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Auditorium with blue seats and brown walls

About BEAM

BEAM is a creative arts and culture venue situated in the heart of Hertford town centre. Located on the site of the previous Hertford Theatre, BEAM continues the legacy of bringing high quality entertainment and arts to the town. Offering first-release films, a new, flexible studio theatre, community facilities, including a Changing Place and a variety of public spaces to work, socialise or just relax in.

“How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.” - The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare.

What Makes us BEAM

BOLD - A place for imagination and creative energy.

KIND - A place for togetherness.

AWARE - A place for new ideas and growth.

 

  • Seeking out, producing and promoting relevant work of the highest possible quality. We present a range of shows and films which are programmed with the development of both artists and audiences firmly in mind. Sharing stories that matter.
  • Making this work available to all; delivering it with and for, our evolving community. We ensure safe access to the building and its activity to all those living in the district of East Herts and beyond. No one is excluded.
  • Championing creative engagement, participation and the value of social cohesion. Our learning and wellbeing offer spearheads the approach to this part of our programme. Listening is vital.
  • Recognising the need to balance creative endeavour with financial responsibility. We need to level up creatively; providing an opportunity for everyone to engage with a sustainable cultural offer for years to come. Creatively commercial.
Sketches of the building

Growth and Legacy

The Growth and Legacy Project was established to build on the success of Hertford Theatre, putting the performing arts and culture at the heart of the growing, local community, whilst enabling it to be self-sustaining.

Upgrading the previous single auditorium venue into a multi-purpose space including a 547 seat theatre (Stage One), 151 seat studio theatre (Stage Two), 3 cinema screens and a variety of community use spaces, the project has enabled us to provide an improved offer accessible to all.

Even though there has been a lot of change, a key part of the project was to maintain the heart and spirit of the cultural buildings that have come before it (a cinema first opened on this site in 1914), with a focus on being able to share this spirit with a wider audience.

Another key point of focus was around our approach to working more sustainably as a venue, including reducing the quantities of single use plastics used in the venue. We also made sure that the project itself included elements of sustainability such as ensuring that the building was fully electric, using LED lights and that all equipment used was sourced with sustainability being a key consideration.

We are also developing our creative community, supporting local education providers, community groups and local organisations in providing creative activities for a diverse range of people within our community.

Our Spaces

Auditorium with blue seats and brown walls

Stage One

Auditorium with red seats and brown walls

Stage Two

Dance studio with mirror wall and light coming through the window

Social One

Social Two

Cinema screen with red seats

Screen One

Cinema screen with blue seats

Screen Two

Cinema screen with teal seats

Screen Three

Bright bar with stools and floor to celling windows

Bars

A woman giving a tour to people outside the venue

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