The scenes look at The Hexagon its 45th anniversary
including Ben E King, Cilla Black and Paloma Faith, spectacular musicals like We Will Rock You, hilarious pantomimes and exquisite classical concerts and even snooker and wrestling. The Hexagon is a cultural lodestone not just for Reading, but also for the wider region,” she said.
“Part of what makes The Hexagon so special is that yes, it hosts big touring shows, but it also hosts and supports grassroots community groups and events. Local amateur, community and youth groups have always been at the heart of The Hexagon.
“Many big names in entertainment began their careers performing here including Kate Winslet, Christian Bale and our very own Hexagon panto star, Justin Fletcher.
“This year we are celebrating the past 45 years, but we are also making ambitious plans for the future of the Hexagon.
“We are working on plans for an exciting new studio theatre and community space, and to regenerate and revitalise the entire Minster Quarter.”
The theatre was built in 1977 by Robert Matthew Johnson Marshall (RMJM) in the Brutalist style of modernist architecture.
It opened in the same year and the very first production was the Gondoliers presented by the Sainsbury Singers.
Through the ages
Some of notable performances and personalities it has featured over the years include:
1970s: Morecambe and Wise, Frankie Howerd, Whitesnake, Billy Connolly, Quentin Crisp.
1980s: Victoria Wood, Nana Mouskouri, The Smiths, The Cure, Cilla Black, David Essex, Ben E King, Chaka Khan, French and Saunders. 1990s: Chuck Berry, Newman and Baddiel, Norman Wisdom, Kenneth Branagh and James Brown.
2000s: Joan Rivers, The League of Gentlemen, Dinner Ladies, Tim Minchin, The Saturdays, Cabaret, McFly, Rik Mayall in the New Statesman and Peter Kay.
2010s: Goldfrapp, Stephen Merchant, La Roux, The Amazons, Diversity, Kaiser Chiefs, Noel Fielding and Paloma Faith.
2020s: Sarah Millican, Stars of Strictly, Mo Gilligan, Laura Marling, John Bishop, Omid Djalili, Nish Kumar and We Will Rock You. the