The Rotunda Theatres are pop-up studio theatres housed in a geodesic domes, touring the UK.
The team behind Grist to the Mill Productions have seen how small and medium sized venues all around the UK are becoming less and less available to theatre companies. Due to the current economic climate many of these venues are either closing down or being re-purposed for educational or theatre outreach programs, and it is becoming more and more difficult for companies to program tours and get the dates they want. As the Rotunda can be erected anywhere where there is the space we hope to work with venues, promoters and communities all over the UK and bring exciting and entertaining work to new and existing audiences.
We hope to breath new life into provincial theatre, give fresh opportunities to new and existing companies, but above all we want to give our audience something worth coming out for.
The Rotunda Theatre launched at Buxton Festival Fringe 2017 in July. We are proud to say The Rotunda was also a major venue at Brighton Fringe from 2022-2026, boasting three venues, BUBBLE, SQUEAK and PIP.
BUBBLE: a black-box style theatre housed in a 14m wide sky-blue geodesic dome. Inside it can be equipped with black-out, theatre lighting and sound facilities. The dome can easily accommodate 250 standing or up to 120 seated audience. A good raised performance area of 4.5m across by 4.5m deep. A black backdrop that can accommodate back projections is available, though this would limit the use of crossover backstage.
SQUEAK: a smaller version of Bubble in a 9.5m wide geodesic dome, equipped with black-out, theatre lighting and sound facilities. This intimate theatre seats up to 50 audience. A good performance area of 4m across by 2.5m deep. A TV monitor is available for AV, and a projector and screen can be supplied for an extra charge.
PIP: a Yurt and a smaller space – it seats 40 and a performance area of approximately 3m across by 2m deep – with sound, no projection and very basic lighting (on and off). Ideal for single performers doing stand-up or cabaret style shows. It has a low-ish ceiling at around 1.8m. Pip launched in 2025 at Brighton Fringe.
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