About Us

The Berry Theatre on Wildern Lane in Hedge End was officially opened by actor and theatre director Samuel West on 7th April 2011. The theatre offers innovative, exemplary programming to the local community and beyond through a broad range of artistic provision and outstanding drama.

With the arts under-threat from Government spending cuts, Eastleigh Borough Council has taken progressive action towards the safe-guarding of culture within the Borough. The joint approach to funding has seen the Council invest over £3million into the project with Wildern School and Hedge End Town Council each investing £300,000 alongside a £700,000 co-location grant from Partnership for Schools. This investment signifies the funders’ commitment to providing exceptional facilities to the Borough and its belief in the rewards and long-term benefits that the arts bring to society.

The name for the theatre was suggested by Hedge End resident Mrs Sheila Perry after it was opened to the public to submit suitable names in the summer of 2010.  Inspired by Hedge End’s heritage as a strawberry growing area, the name firmly roots our theatre into the area’s fruit growing past and into its local community.

The 306 seat state-of-the-art building aims to be an inspiring and creative hub, where artists and audiences can collide and engage. Building on the success of our sister venue, The Point, Eastleigh, artists sit at the heart of our programming.  We will open to present professional touring classics; dynamic performances for children and their families; live music; film screenings; contemporary performance and place a specific focus on the development and support of new work for children and young people.

Our Creative Learning programme aims to engage as many people of all ages from the community. Our programme includes: new writing programmes and master-classes; technical theatre training, career support and our audition-free Youth Theatre Group, giving children the invaluable chance to work collaboratively with a professional creative team – stirring their emotions and imaginations and instilling them with confidence.

The Berry Theatre is led by Director, Sarah Brigham.