Arts

Business

What are the venue hire costs for Sadler's Wells main theatre spaces?

The Peacock Theatre costs £11,000 + VAT per day, with an additional £6,500 + VAT for the first get-in day if setup is required without a show. Sadler's Wells East costs £12,500 + VAT per day. The Lilian Baylis Studio costs £3,100 + VAT per day (09:00-22:00). All venues require non-refundable deposits - 50% on signing and 50% remainder two months prior to the event.

What technical staffing costs should I budget for theatre events?

Technical staffing is mandatory for health and safety reasons, with minimum requirements of 1 senior technician plus 2 additional technical staff to operate theatres. Rates are charged at single time Monday-Friday, time and a half on Saturdays, and double time on Sundays. Budget approximately £3,000-£10,000 + VAT per day for technical staffing and get-out costs depending on the venue and production requirements.

What are the ticketing arrangements and associated costs?

Hirers receive 100% ticket share, but must pay a ticketing service fee of £300 + VAT per performance/event which includes website listing and e-tickets. There's a 3% payment processing fee on all card and cash transactions for tickets sold. Ticket office staffing costs are extra and will be invoiced separately.

What are the capacity limits for each theatre space?

The main Sadler's Wells Theatre seats 1,500 people. The Peacock Theatre accommodates similar numbers for performances. Sadler's Wells East has retractable seating for 397 plus a First Circle Terrace for 10. The Lilian Baylis Studio offers flexible seating that can be retracted for receptions or configured for performances with three dressing rooms included.

Are there restrictions on external catering and merchandise sales?

Sadler's Wells manages all catering and bars - no external caterers are allowed on site unless it's just showcasing a drinks brand with no servings (subject to approval). All programmes and merchandise must be sold via their front of house staff, with the venue taking 30% commission on all sales.

What are the booking hours and get-in/get-out arrangements?

Theatre booking hours are typically 09:00-22:00 each day. No equipment is present at the start of hire, so the first day begins with all technical rigging and preparation before stage access. Get-out hours may run later than 22:00 after the final day as required. Setup and breakdown time must be factored into your booking.

When are the venues unavailable due to maintenance or programming?

All theatres undergo maintenance during August and are unavailable for hire. September through December is the busy season with internal programming, significantly limiting availability. January and February typically have better availability, though specific dates vary year to year.

What approval process is required for external events?

All external enquiries require approval from senior management. You must provide artistic presentation materials, videos, or photos of your show/event for review. The venue reserves the right to approve or decline events based on content and suitability for their programming standards.

What technical equipment is included in the hire?

All light and sound equipment noted in the venue's technical specifications are included (excluding radio microphones). Each venue has different technical capabilities - detailed tech specs are available on their website. Additional equipment, rigging, or special requirements will incur extra costs and may require additional get-in days.

What front of house and security arrangements are mandatory?

Front of house and security staffing costs are recharged and invoiced as mandatory services. Staff costs apply to Sunday events at premium rates. The venue manages all front of house operations including bars (stalls and dress circle bars for Peacock Theatre), and you cannot bring your own front of house team.