Old Electric Theatre thriving in new home after having to leave original HQ

An innovative theatre in Blackpool which had to leave its premises last year is making a splash with its new base.

The Old Electric Theatre was originally launched at premises on Springfield Road, North Shore, in 2021, having created a bespoke theatre hub from a run-down nightclub, Club Sanuk.

From that base it hosted an active programme of ground-breaking touring productions in its impressive performance auditorium, created its own shows and offered creative workshops and courses, while the building also boasted office spaces and a sound studio.

The theatre building had to close last summer due to funding issues.

However, under the guidance of creative director Melanie Whitehead, the company kept going, moved to smaller premises and now a shiny new sign has gone up to advertise its replacement base at 4 Edward Street.

The new HQ may not be large enough to contain a performance auditorium to stage plays but it is able to play host to many of the activities which the Old Electric has run from the start, including its programme of creative workshops.

Abigail Hellam, general manager of the Old Electric, said: “We’ve been based here a while but our sign has just gone up to announce where we are.

“We still have a busy programme of activities and are involved with many creative art projects in Blackpool.

“Our aim is to reduce barriers for residents to connect with their own creativity, encouraging people to think and develop confidence while having fun.”

The Old Electric has been supported by Blackpool Council, whose heritage team helped locate the premises on Edward Street as a viable base.

From its current HQ the Old Electric is still able to run workshops and courses on playwriting, confidence-building improvisation and life drawing.

The theatre company is still staging its own annual shows each summer, but instead of staging them itself it has toured small venues across the Fylde coast. This year’s production was the charming Blackpool-themed Sideshows, Seagulls and Shanties.

The Old Electric also runs INCUBATE, a new programme offering professional development support for new creatives working in Blackpool, part of Creative Blackpool’s Sector Development activity.

At the front of the premises on Edward Street there is also a window gallery, promoting local artists.

Abigail added: “We are still looking for a new home where we can host theatre productions, because that is our core aim, but we’re still busy with plenty of activities to help support the creative arts in Blackpool.”