UCL Community Use

Bloomsbury Theatre (part of Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science) is pleased to offer to UCL colleagues access to the prestigious Bloomsbury Theatre, Bloomsbury Studio and Paint Frame, a unique opportunity which few universities are able to provide. This allows UCL staff to promote their own, their students' or department's academic work within an artistic environment with associated professional event staff to support that activity.

This activity can take the form of public performances or events, internal events for the UCL community, and/or non-performance based private access to the space eg. for filming. Due to our unique features our venues are not available for teaching.

Our spaces and technical specifications

Visit our main Venue Hire page to learn more about our spaces and our technical specifications.

Visit our gallery for more images

Information and Requirements

Information for UCL staff considering booking the Bloomsbury Theatre or Studio

Applications for both spaces should consider how the proposed activity would:

• be performance-based
• benefit from being undertaken within a performance venue setting
• promote the work and reputation of UCL to both internal and external audiences
• involve the wider UCL community
• offer students new and exciting opportunities for hands-on learning beyond the traditional classroom setting to develop their skills and experience

This activity is heavily supported (both financially and in resources) by LCCOS: Bloomsbury Theatre, meaning this usage is offered either free or at a substantially reduced hire rate.

If the usage includes issuing tickets then this must be via UCL Ticketing. Due to the consistently high attendee drop-off rate for free events, tickets must be sold for a minimum of £2 p/p for which there is also a 5.25% Box Office commission deducted from the final settlement. Departments who are not looking to profit from their event/s can choose to donate this money to their chosen charity (they must make this payment themselves) or can donate this back to the Bloomsbury Theatre.

Consider involving UCL Student Union societies as part of your event. Refer to this list of societies. Contact d.edge@ucl.ac.uk UCL Student Union Arts & Media Coordinator to learn more.

Note:

• Usage dates must be between Monday - Saturday (excluding Bank Holidays and UCL College Closure days) and can be inside or outside term time.
• Access time can be up to nine hours between 09:00 - 23:00 each day.
• You must include details about your preferred date/s and/or times in your application (e.g. lunch time screening, evening event, morning filming).
• If your dates are flexible, please mention this (e.g. a Monday in Term 1, or two consecutive dates in June).
• If your application is successful but your preferred date/s are unavailable, we will do our best to offer suitable alternative dates, but this isn't guaranteed.
• The submitting of an application does not guarantee usage.
• The offering and allocating of dates is at the discretion of the Venue Hire & Booking Manager.
• There is the potential for associated/additional costs incl: any additional equipment hire, additional access hours, taxis for staff working between 23:00-09:00, additional staffing, damages etc. These fees will be charged via UCL Internal Departmental Transfer (IDT). 

How to book

Guides to book the Bloomsbury Theatre, Bloomsbury Studio and Paint Frame for UCL staff.