Blackfriars Theatre, Boston

Blackfriars Theatre, Boston Blackfriars Theatre is an Arts Centre and Community Hub in Spain Lane, Boston, Lincolnshire. It is, of course, a listed building.
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On the evening of a show Box Office opens from 1 hour before curtain up. Blackfriars Theatre in Boston is a jewel of a little theatre in the centre of the market town of Boston. It is a 229-seat theatre built inside the remains of the refectory of a Dominican monastery, with parts of the structure dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. The modern history of the building began in the 1950s whe

n the monastery was derelict and roofless. The ruins were acquired by the Boston Preservation Trust, and interested townspeople began to clear the site. A local architect drew up plans to convert it into an Arts Centre and Theatre, and work began on construction in the late 1950s. Many members of the local amateur dramatic and operatic societies rolled their sleeves up to mix concrete and lay bricks, and funds were raised, until in 1964 the theatre was completed and ready to be opened. A new charitable trust was set up, the Blackfriars Arts Centre Ltd., to run and maintain the building, and to promote the arts within Boston. The building was sold to the new charity for One Pound, certain conditions having been laid down, and Blackfriars became the focal centre of the town’s artistic activities. Over the years its fortunes waxed and waned, but small subsidies from Boston Borough Council and, later, the Arts Council, enabled it to survive. Unfortunately in this day and age such subsidies had disappeared until Covid. We have recently received much needed grants and funding from the Arts Council recovery fund and local Council grants which continue to help us survive as we get back to the new normal.

BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THEATRE UNLOCKED 🎭This Saturday, a brand new 10 week Theatre Unlocked programme begins at Blac...
07/09/2026

BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THEATRE UNLOCKED 🎭

This Saturday, a brand new 10 week Theatre Unlocked programme begins at Blackfriars Theatre for young people aged 5 to 18.

And it’s about much more than putting on a show.

Across the term, students will explore performance, stagecraft, dance, puppetry, backstage skills, voice, character, technical theatre, props, costume and rehearsal, learning new skills and putting them into practice inside a real working theatre.

Whether your child already loves performing or has never stepped onto a stage before, no previous theatre experience is needed.

There are four groups across the day, with work designed to suit different ages and stages, and Penny and Helen will be there throughout the course to help every young person learn, develop and grow in confidence.

Theatre Unlocked starts Saturday 12th September.

We also have a Student Support Scheme offering a 50% fee subsidy for eligible families, made possible with support from Arts Council England and our Academy sponsors Vere Bros Ltd.

Ready to take a look?

Everything you need is in one place, including class information, fees, the full programme and links to book:

www.blackfriarstheatre.co.uk/theatreunlocked

Questions? You can reach Penny and Helen through:

[email protected]

10 Saturdays. Lots to discover.
Learn theatre. In a theatre.

✍️ Ever thought about writing a script?For theatre, TV, radio or film?This September, we’re launching a completely FREE ...
07/09/2026

✍️ Ever thought about writing a script?

For theatre, TV, radio or film?

This September, we’re launching a completely FREE scriptwriting programme at Blackfriars Theatre, led by award winning playwright and scriptwriter Hugh Dichmont.

Whether you’ve got an idea you’ve never quite known what to do with, you’ve already started writing, or you’re simply curious about giving scriptwriting a go, there are two ways to get involved.

🎭 FREE Try It Scriptwriting Workshop
Saturday 19th September
11am to 12pm

A relaxed one hour session where you can give scriptwriting a try, meet Hugh and explore some of the basics. No experience needed.

Or, if you’re ready to take things a little further...

✍️ FREE 8 Week Scriptwriting Course
Wednesdays, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
30th September to 2nd December

Across eight weeks you’ll explore dialogue, theme, setting, structure, action, planning and redrafting, while developing your own creative voice.

By the final week, you’ll aim to have written a short script you can be proud of, with the opportunity to hear it performed script in hand by actors as part of an end of course celebration sharing.

All levels of experience are welcome.

Places on the full course are limited to just 16, and both opportunities are completely free, supported by Blackfriars Theatre and Arts Council England.

👉 Come and give it a go.

Find out more and book your place here: https://www.blackfriarstheatre.co.uk/scriptwriting

Rap. Pickled gherkins. Audience participation. And a surprisingly big question about work.The hit of last year’s festiva...
06/09/2026

Rap. Pickled gherkins. Audience participation. And a surprisingly big question about work.

The hit of last year’s festival is back at Blackfriars.

MONUMENT is a bold one woman comedy exploring life beyond ideology, set between construction sites in Czechoslovakia and the UK.

Funny, clever and just a little bit unexpected, this really is a show with a bit of everything.

Friday 2nd October | 7.00pm
Tickets only £5

Grab your tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.com/blackfriars/t-ejlgrpm

Part of the Boston International Arts Festival 2026.
Performed in English.

06/09/2026

WHAT A LOVELY EVENING 💜

It was so great to see so many of you at Theatre Unlocked: Backstage Pass last night.

Thank you to everyone who came along, explored the theatre, met the team and found out more about what Theatre Unlocked will offer this autumn.

Across the 10 weeks, young people will explore performance, voice, movement, character, stagecraft, backstage skills, technical theatre, props, costume, dance and puppetry, all inside a real working theatre.

We’ll be reaching out to everyone who has registered an interest this Monday to help get places secured and support you through the enrolment process.

Didn’t make it last night? It’s not too late.

Sign ups are still open until Friday evening this week, so there is still time to join us.

And if you would like to ask a few questions before enrolling, Helen, one of our Theatre Unlocked practitioners, will be at Blackfriars on Tuesday evening from 6.30pm to 7.30pm for an informal drop in chat.

Want to find out more first?
Visit: www.blackfriarstheatre.co.uk/theatreunlocked

Ready to create your Magic Booking account and get started?
Sign up here: https://blackfriarsartscentre.magicbooking.co.uk/Register

Theatre Unlocked starts this Saturday.

Learn theatre. In a theatre.

CALLING ALL BOSTON PARENTS WITH DRAMATIC KIDS 🎭Got a child who loves performing, telling stories, singing, dancing, maki...
04/09/2026

CALLING ALL BOSTON PARENTS WITH DRAMATIC KIDS 🎭

Got a child who loves performing, telling stories, singing, dancing, making people laugh, or simply being centre stage?

Bring them along to Theatre Unlocked: Backstage Pass TOMORROW and discover what happens when they get to learn theatre inside a real working theatre.

Saturday 5th September
5.30pm to 8.30pm
Blackfriars Theatre, Boston
FREE DROP IN EVENT FOR AGES 5 TO 18

Step onto the stage.
Explore backstage.
Meet Penny and the Blackfriars team.
Ask questions.
Discover Theatre Unlocked.

No previous theatre experience needed.
No need to have already signed up.
Just drop in and have a look.

LEARN THEATRE. IN A THEATRE.

www.blackfriarstheatre.co.uk/theatreunlocked

THIS TIME NEXT WEEK🎭 Shakespeare, but make it mayhem.The brilliant Pantaloons Theatre Company are back at Blackfriars th...
04/09/2026

THIS TIME NEXT WEEK🎭 Shakespeare, but make it mayhem.

The brilliant Pantaloons Theatre Company are back at Blackfriars this September with their wonderfully bonkers take on Twelfth Night.

There’s mistaken identity, separated twins, ridiculous romance, fools, duels, pranks and plenty of people who really haven’t got a clue what’s going on.

Add in live music, audience participation and the Pantaloons’ trademark silliness, and Shakespeare suddenly looks a little different...

🎭 TWELFTH NIGHT
📅 Friday 11th September
🕢 7.30pm
🎟️ Tickets £19
https://www.ticketsource.com/blackfriars/twelfth-night-the-pantaloons/e-vrzmpq

Fast, funny, family friendly and definitely not Shakespeare as you remember it from school.

We have some rather BIG news to share... 👀After four years of determination, setbacks and a huge amount of work behind t...
04/09/2026

We have some rather BIG news to share... 👀

After four years of determination, setbacks and a huge amount of work behind the scenes, Blackfriars Theatre & Arts Centre has been awarded the funds to acquire the historic building on the corner of Spain Lane and South Street, known to many of you as Cheers. These funds have been awarded as part of the Pride in Place Impact Fund from Boston Borough Council and local government.

Just yards from Blackfriars, the building gives us something we have never had before: a visible presence right on South Street and an exciting opportunity to bring even more arts, culture and community activity into the heart of Boston.

This has taken a town wide effort involving our trustees, team, volunteers, partners, councillors, officers, businesses and supporters.

Blackfriars was created by local volunteers in 1966. Sixty years later, another generation has helped us take this enormous next step.

And now the really exciting bit begins.

Read the full story and find out what happens next 👇

https://www.blackfriarstheatre.co.uk/post/it-takes-a-village-or-in-this-case-a-town

🎸 LOCAL LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT!Local six piece Crossing The Tracks are on the Blackfriars stage tonight with a feel good mix...
04/09/2026

🎸 LOCAL LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT!

Local six piece Crossing The Tracks are on the Blackfriars stage tonight with a feel good mix of Americana, Country, Blues, Folk and Rock.

🕢 Tonight at 7.30pm
🎟️ Tickets £15.50

https://blackfriarsartscentre.co.uk/Crossing_the_Tracks_September_2026

It’s Friday. Come and support local live music! 🎶

🎸 Support local live music this Friday night!Tomorrow evening, local six piece band Crossing The Tracks take to the Blac...
03/09/2026

🎸 Support local live music this Friday night!

Tomorrow evening, local six piece band Crossing The Tracks take to the Blackfriars stage with their brilliant mix of Americana, Country, Blues, Folk and Rock.

Expect rich harmonies, great musicianship and influences from the likes of Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Allman Brothers and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

📅 Tomorrow | Friday 4th September
🕢 7.30pm
🎟️ Tickets £15.50
https://blackfriarsartscentre.co.uk/Crossing_the_Tracks_September_2026

Come and support a fantastic local band and start your weekend with some proper live music at Blackfriars. 🎶

One night. One voice. One story of survival.This October, MATT comes to Blackfriars with a powerful true story about men...
03/09/2026

One night. One voice. One story of survival.

This October, MATT comes to Blackfriars with a powerful true story about mental health, survival and hope.

Based on the real life experiences of writer, director and lead actor Peter Dewar, MATT explores depression, addiction, love, family and what it means to keep going when life feels at its hardest.

Raw, honest and deeply human, this is theatre that opens up important conversations around mental health and reminds us why reaching out can save lives.

🎭 MATT
📅 Tuesday 27th October
🕢 7.30pm
🎟️ Tickets ONLY £5

https://www.ticketsource.com/blackfriars/t-ldeajxx

Coming with others? Book 4 or more tickets and receive 20% off your total ticket price.

🔞 Age guidance: 18+

⚠️ Content guidance: Contains mature themes including mental health, depression, addiction, emotional distress, suicidal thoughts and references to su***de.

A powerful true story, told on stage for one night at Blackfriars.

Address

Spain Lane
Boston
PE216HP

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 1pm
Tuesday 10am - 1pm
Wednesday 10am - 1pm
Thursday 10am - 1pm
Friday 10am - 1pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+441205363108

Website

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