Yeovil theatregoers will have a further three months to catch shows at the town’s main theatre before it closes for a £29 million upgrade.

South Somerset District Council announced its intention in late-December 2020 to upgrade the Octagon Theatre, expanding and enhancing the building to allow it to attract bigger shows and higher-profile acts.

The council announced in May that the venue would close its doors in January 2023, having previously agreed to increase the project’s budget by £6 million in light of rising construction costs.

The theatre management has now clarified that productions will continue to be staged at the venue until late-April 2023, stating a “number of key milestones” need to be reached before building work can commence.

The decision to delay the closure – which was announced on Friday morning (July 15) – will allow the touring production of The Mousetrap to visit Yeovil in February, along with Wodehouse in Wonderland and a number of other theatrical productions whose contracts are currently being finalised.

Tap Factory, which had been rearranged to take place at the Westlands Entertainment Venue in February, will move back to its original venue.

Amateur groups will also benefit, with Yeovil Amateur Operatic Society (YAOS) being able to stage its next show along with the Helen Laxton School of Dance and the Yeovil Amateur Pantomime Society’s production of Aladdin, among others.

Councillor Mike Best, portfolio holder for health and well-being on South Somerset District Council, said: “The updated programme now means performances can be booked through to the end of April, which will give everyone a bit longer to enjoy shows at the Octagon, including the national tour of The Mousetrap.

“We know our audiences, staff and performers cannot wait for the transformation of the Octagon Theatre to take place and we will keep everyone updated as we continue on this exciting journey.”

The revamped Octagon Theatre will include:

  • An increased seating capacity in the main auditorium from 622 to 900, with enhanced technical facilities that will improve the comfort for audiences
  • Two new smaller cinema/ studio spaces, predominately for film screenings but also able to host smaller-scale live performances
  • A dance studio, which will become the new home for the Octagon Academy and “the perfect place” for all dance classes
  • A community studio offering an alternative space for additional classes, as well as a rehearsal room for local choirs, theatre groups, and arts and craft workshops
  • A greatly improved café bar area, open throughout the day
  • Improved front-of-house and customer facilities
  • Improved backstage accessibility
  • The construction of a fly tower, which can be used for flying scenery, enabling larger visiting companies to use the venue
  • A changing places toilet for those with additional needs

Following a two-day in-person public consultation, which was attended by 75 people, a formal planning application will be submitted within the next few weeks.