Walkway to Studio Theatre and The Hexagon in place

Good progress has been made on the new arts space, which will bring in more types of performances and be available for local community use.

The new pedestrian walkway will give visitors step-free access from Queen’s Walk to both the new Studio Theatre and the existing Hexagon theatre.

The walkway will lead to a new main entrance, foyer and bar at the front of the building. The foyer space can also be used for rehearsals, workshops and meetings.

Construction of the new theatre space is moving forward well. The roof is now in place, and the auditorium is starting to take shape.

The Studio Theatre will have room for 200 seated guests or up to 300 people for standing events. With seating on the ground floor and a gallery level, it will be ideal for comedy shows, live music and other performances.

Fully accessible lifts and toilets will be available on both levels. Direct internal links to the main Hexagon theatre will allow the two venues to operate together or separately, depending on the event.

The development will also provide better backstage facilities for performers and production crews, as well as modern technical equipment to support productions of different sizes.

The new Studio Theatre will be used for performances and rehearsals. It will help The Hexagon offer a wider range of shows, attract new audiences and strengthen its role at the heart of the redeveloped Minster Quarter.

Council Leader Liz Terry, Lead Councillor for Culture and Leisure Jacopo Lanzoni, Chief Executive Jackie Yates and members of the project team, including main contractor Feltham Construction Ltd, marked the installation of the new pedestrian walkway this week.

Group photo of around 20 people wearing high-visibility yellow safety vests, white hard hats and protective footwear, standing on a newly completed pedestrian walkway at a construction site. The group faces the camera in front of the timber-framed structure of the new Studio Theatre building. Red railings line the walkway on either side, and the partially completed theatre can be seen in the background with exposed wooden beams, brickwork and construction materials visible behind the group. Sunlight illuminates the scene, highlighting the progress of the development.
Interior view of the new Studio Theatre under construction, showing the auditorium space from an upper level. The building features a large exposed timber frame with substantial wooden beams, columns and ceiling supports. Scaffolding and temporary safety barriers line the lower level, where construction work is ongoing. Stacks of building materials and equipment are visible on the left side of the space, while two people wearing high-visibility safety vests and white hard hats stand on the floor below. The layout shows the developing theatre structure, including the gallery level overlooking the main performance area. Bright overhead lighting and natural light highlight the scale and progress of the construction.
Interior view of the Studio Theatre construction site. A group of people wearing high-visibility safety vests and white hard hats stand on an upper-level platform behind temporary safety barriers during a site visit. The building’s timber frame is clearly visible, with large wooden beams and columns supporting the structure. Scaffolding is positioned on the left side of the image, while exposed wall panels, steel supports and unfinished building services can be seen throughout the space. Additional visitors in safety equipment are visible at ground level below. Natural light enters through large openings in the building, highlighting the progress of the auditorium and gallery areas as construction continues.

Councillor Liz Terry said:

“The new pedestrian bridge from Queen’s Walk will lead to a world of new artistic opportunities for residents, theatregoers and community art groups.

“The purpose-built new Studio Theatre will be fully accessible to everyone and will make The Hexagon easier to navigate for all visitors.

“It will provide meeting and rehearsal space for community use and the more intimate auditorium will attract a whole new range of acts and performers.

“The spectacular new Studio Theatre will sit proudly at the heart of the Minster Quarter development and will significantly enhance cultural provision in Reading.”

The construction of the new Studio Theatre is mostly government funded along with Council investment and has been designed by award winning Haworth Tompkins, internationally recognised specialists in theatre design. It is due to open in spring 2027.

Sustainability is fundamental to the project and links with the decarbonisation programme at The Hexagon where ageing gas boilers are being replaced with a ground source heat pump.

Last updated on 07/10/2026