Theatre Availability & Hire Rates
Our aim is to be able to offer our superb venue to the wider Cambridge community. We particularly welcome non-profit and charitable organisations for young people.
Theatre Availability
Great Hall is only available to hire during our main school holiday periods and half terms (see Term Dates).
Lettings are usually taken in weekly blocks (Tuesday/Wednesday – Saturday), but we can consider longer or shorter periods to suit your production. One-night events are also welcome, although priority will be given to longer bookings and regular clients (which may mean that unfortunately we are initially unable to accept your booking). We generally start weekly bookings on a Tuesday or Wednesday, as that gives us time for staff breaks and to prepare the venue.
We are currently taking bookings until August 2026 (we don’t yet have term dates beyond this). Please enquire to discuss your proposed dates.
We have the following specific dates/periods still available (other dates may also be available):
- Fri 19 – Sat 20 December 2025 (Limited, 1 or 2 days only)
- Wed 8 – Fri 10 April 2026 (Limited)
- Tue 14 – Sat 18 April 2026
- Wed 15 – Sat 25 July 2026
Provisional dates for 2026/27
- Sun 25 – Sat 31 October 2026
- Tue 15 – Sun 20 December 2026
- Wed 17 – Sat 20 February 2027
- Wed 31 March – Sat 10 April 2027
- Wed 2 – Sat 5 June 2027
- Sun 11 – Sat 17 July 2027
- Wed 21 – Sat 24 July 2027
- Wed 28 – Sat 31 July 2027
- Wed 4 – Sat 7 August 2027
(Some of these dates will be reserved for existing clients on a first refusal basis.)
Theatre Hire Rates
These rates are for performance hires of the main theatre, including front-of-house areas, dressing rooms and stage/technical facilities as listed in the Technical Specification. Use of ancillary spaces such as the Middleton Studio, Dance Studio or the John Harding Drama Centre may incur additional costs, although are usually included as additional dressing room spaces.
We offer Great Hall as a ‘dry-hire’ venue – which means you are hiring only the space and facilities. You will need to provide your own stage/technical crew and front-of-house staff/ushers, as well as organising your own production, publicity and ticket sales.
We have partnered with a local bar company to provide a theatre bar for your performance (subject to suitability and minimum audience numbers).
Use of our Box Office is optionally available.
A duty technician is provided to oversee the building and assist with our technical systems (see below for details of Technical Support).
- Performance includes a reasonable time before/after the performance, plus the ‘Get-out’ after the final performance (no later than 01:00 or specified time, after which a penalty rate is charged). We can offer a discounted rate for short performances.
- Any time over 12 hours in one day will be charged at the full hourly rate (£165/hr). We discourage long working days for the health and safety of not just our staff but also for your crew and performers.
- A surcharge of £41.25+VAT per hour applies for any Sunday working.
- A non-refundable 25% deposit is required to secure your booking.
- Additional charges may apply for certain technical equipment and services, to be agreed in advance.
- Proof of charitable/non-profit status may be required, if applicable.
- Published rates are subject to change without notice.
- VAT is charged at the prevailing rate at the time of invoice.
