Leas Cliff Hall facts for kids
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| Address | The Leas Folkestone, Kent England |
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| Coordinates | 51°04′33″N 1°10′25″E / 51.0758°N 1.17357°E |
| Owner | Ambassador Theatre Group (in partnership with Folkestone and Hythe District Council) |
| Type | Live Entertainment |
| Capacity | Seated 900 / Standing 1,500 |
| Opened | 13 July 1927 |
| Website | |
| http://www.leascliffhall.org.uk | |
Leas Cliff Hall is a fantastic place for shows and events in Folkestone, a town on the Kent coast of England. It's a large hall where you can enjoy many different types of performances. You can watch exciting concerts, hilarious comedy shows, beautiful ballet, and even thrilling wrestling matches! The hall can seat 900 people or hold 1,500 people standing for a lively show.
Contents
History of the Hall
Early Days: The Leas Shelter
Before the Leas Cliff Hall existed, there was a building called the Leas Shelter. It was built in 1894. This shelter had a small concert room where people could enjoy entertainment. It could hold about 200 people and even had an orchestra.
Building the Grand Hall
By 1924, people decided that Folkestone needed a much bigger and more impressive hall. It took only 28 months to build the new Leas Cliff Hall! The design was a tribute to a Norwegian architect named Mr. J. S. Dahl. The hall officially opened its doors on July 13, 1927. Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, a member of the Royal Family, was there for the special opening. The very first concert was performed by the Folkestone Municipal Orchestra, and 1,000 people came to watch!
Modern Updates
The hall closed for a short time in 1980 for some important updates and improvements. It reopened on May 6, 1981, looking much like it does today.
Who Manages the Hall?
Over the years, different companies have helped manage Leas Cliff Hall. Since November 2009, the venue has been run by the Ambassador Theatre Group. They work closely with the Folkestone and Hythe District Council, which owns and supports the hall.
Amazing Performances
The Stage and Audience
The Leas Cliff Hall has a large, flat stage. It is 48 feet wide and can be up to 27 feet deep. This big stage can easily fit many performers and their equipment. As mentioned, the hall can hold around 1,000 people sitting down or 1,500 people standing up.
Famous Music Stars
Many incredibly famous music acts have performed at Leas Cliff Hall over the years. Imagine seeing legendary bands like The Rolling Stones, T Rex, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, Motörhead, and Status Quo right here! More recent stars like Kings of Leon, Stereophonics, Queens of the Stone Age, and Kaiser Chiefs have also rocked the stage.
Top Comedians
The hall has also hosted many hilarious comedians. Some of the biggest names in comedy, such as Victoria Wood, Ken Dodd, Norman Wisdom, Lenny Henry, Ross Noble, and Russell Howard, have made audiences laugh out loud at Leas Cliff Hall.
Classical Music
Besides rock and comedy, the hall has also welcomed many classical music concerts. The famous tenor Richard Tauber performed here five times between 1937 and 1947.
What's Happening Now
Today, Leas Cliff Hall is still a busy place. Besides the main hall, it also has other areas for events and visitors. These include the Channel Suite, a Café, the Coasters bar, and the Foyer bar. These extra spaces make it a great venue for different kinds of gatherings and a comfortable place for audiences to relax before or after a show.
