For five magical summers, audiences have gathered under our lakeside tent to enjoy unforgettable theatre under the Norfolk skies. It’s where stories came alive, friendships formed, and the magic of Westacre truly shines. Sadly, the tent has reached the end of its life, the fabric was damaged beyond repair, and the structure has had to come down. Without it, our summer performances, workshops, and outdoor events - the very heartbeat of our theatre - are at risk. That’s why we’ve launched the Westacre Theatre Tent Appeal - our campaign to raise £50,000 to replace the tent and rebuild our outdoor summer home.
Pitch in for the Canvas £5 (per sq ft)
Cover the stage in wonder! Our canvas is the heart of the theatre, sheltering stories, laughter, and memories for all to enjoy.
Buy a Tent Peg £25
Anchor the magic! Tent pegs keep our canvas secure and our performances safe. A small gift, but a big impact.
Contribute to a tent pole £100
Hold up the show! Every pole keeps our theatre standing tall. Your name (or dedication) could go on a plaque or program. A lasting tribute to your support.
Vital cultural beacon in rural West Norfolk
A Norfolk Treasure: Westacre Theatre is one of Norfolk’s most cherished spaces for live performance and creative connection.
A stage for everyone
Our outdoor tent has hosted everything from Shakespeare and comedy to music, family shows, and youth performances - a space where everyone belongs.
Securing the future
Replacing our tent is vital to our artistic and financial sustainability, ensuring that theatre in the heart of Norfolk continues to thrive for generations to come.
Saving us from Extinction
As a small rural theatre, we have to think creatively to survive. Our summer outdoor stage is a vital source of income. Replacing it is essential to securing a sustainable future for Westacre Theatre.
We wanted to share the progress of our fundraising journey with you!
So our much-loved summer tent is no longer with us. After many wonderful seasons, it was sadly damaged beyond repair in a recent storm. This, alongside the news that our recent Arts Council bid was unsuccessful, has required us to pivot! We are shifting from our ambitious expansion plans, and instead looking to first strengthen our foundations and future-proof our existing spaces. So, in the coming months, you’ll see us pouring our energy into raising the funds to replace our beautiful tent, and to make thoughtful improvements to our outdoor auditorium, ensuring our 2026 Summer Season audiences are kept sheltered, whatever the weather!
Theatre Director Sadie Grist says: “Not making it to the next round with the Arts Council was disappointing, but funding is tough for everyone in the arts. Our summer performance space is so precious and unique that it is absolutely vital we replace and protect it. It’s a space for our young talent in particular to flourish, for audiences to fall in love with theatre and we are determined to see it back again next summer.”
Every donation - big or small - brings us one step closer to returning summer theatre under the stars.
Looking Ahead
Alongside our outdoor ambitions, we’re also exploring plans to expand our indoor studio space to seat over 100 people - a step we believe will make Westacre more sustainable year-round. It’s all part of our commitment to keep this small but mighty theatre alive, creative, and community-powered for the future. With our shows selling out more often than ever, we want to make sure everyone has a chance to share in the magic.