Business

Events

What are the venue hire costs for the different event spaces at Sadler's Wells?

The Dorfman Room costs £1,400 plus VAT per day, £1,000 plus VAT per half day, or £1,250 plus VAT per evening. The Mezzanine Level costs £2,100 plus VAT per day. The Lilian Baylis Studio costs £3,100 plus VAT per day (09:00-22:00). The Peacock Theatre costs £11,000 plus VAT per day, with an additional £6,500 plus VAT for get-in days.

What capacity limits apply to each event space?

The Dorfman Room accommodates 64 people in cabaret style or 100 people in theatre style. The Mezzanine Level has a total floor area of 241.32m² and includes the Dorfman Room plus additional breakout spaces. The Lilian Baylis Studio accommodates 180 people in theatre style. The Peacock Theatre is the largest space but specific capacity wasn't detailed in available information.

What AV equipment and technical support is included in the hire?

All spaces include Wi-Fi access, technical support, built-in PA systems linked to CD/iPod, drop-down screens, and built-in projectors connected to computers and memory sticks (HDMI cable only for laptops). The Dorfman Room and Mezzanine Level also include portable plasma screens if multiple screens are needed. Free items include lecterns, 2 wired microphones, and cloakroom facilities.

What are the payment terms and deposit requirements?

For the Peacock Theatre, a non-refundable 50% deposit is required on signing, with the remaining 50% due two months prior to the event. A deposit on services and hired equipment is invoiced together with the venue hire fee across all spaces. Payment terms for smaller spaces weren't specified but deposits on additional services apply universally.

Are there restrictions on external catering or must I use in-house services?

Sadler's Wells manages all catering and bars with no external caterers allowed on site. They provide a range of refreshments from breakfasts and sandwiches to hot fork buffets and canapés. If you're showcasing a drinks brand without serving, this may be considered but requires approval and specific details about the brand.

What additional staffing costs should I budget for?

Front of House and Security staffing costs are recharged and invoiced separately. Technical staffing is charged at single time Monday-Friday, time and a half on Saturdays, and double time on Sundays. For theatres, minimum technical staffing is required for health and safety - typically 1 Senior technician plus 2 additional technical staff for the Lilian Baylis Studio.

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?

External enquiries require approval from Senior Management. You must provide an artistic presentation or video/photo material of your show or event. This applies particularly to performance-based events but may extend to other external bookings depending on the nature of your event.

What are the standard booking hours and any restrictions?

Standard booking hours for theatre spaces are 09:00-22:00 each day. Technical support is provided 09:00-17:00. Get-out hours may run later than 22:00 after the final day as required. No equipment is present at the start of hire, so the first day begins with technical rigging and preparation.

Are there any ticketing fees if I'm selling tickets to the public?

Ticketing service costs £300 plus VAT per performance/event and includes website listing and e-tickets. There's a 3% payment fee on all card and cash transactions for tickets sold. Ticket Office staffing is extra and invoiced separately. You receive 100% of ticket share as the hirer.