Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone

Leas Cliff Hall là một địa điểm giải trí và tổ chức sự kiện nằm trên vách đá tại The Leas ở Folkestone, hướng ra eo biển Manche. Được khai trương năm 1927, đây là một điểm dừng chân quen thuộc trên các tour lưu diễn, với Grand Hall có sức chứa 900 chỗ ngồi hoặc lên tới 1.500 người đứng, cho phép chuyển đổi linh hoạt giữa một buổi biểu diễn sân khấu có chỗ ngồi và một buổi hòa nhạc đứng toàn phần. Chương trình biểu diễn kết hợp giữa âm nhạc trực tiếp, hài kịch, các đêm nhạc tribute và ballet, các chương trình dành cho gia đình và kịch pantomime. Địa điểm này do ATG Entertainment điều hành, hợp tác cùng Hội đồng Quận Folkestone và Hythe, và chỉ cách trung tâm thị trấn một quãng đi bộ ngắn.

The story starts with the Leas Shelter, built in 1894 on the same clifftop spot. It included a concert room that seated 200 people plus an orchestra, and it served Folkestone's visitors and residents until the town decided it wanted something considerably grander.

That decision came in 1924, and just 28 months later the new hall was complete, designed by the Norwegian architect J S Dahl. Leas Cliff Hall was opened on 13 July 1927 by Prince Henry, later Duke of Gloucester, with an opening concert given by the Folkestone Municipal Orchestra in front of an audience of around 1,000.

The hall closed for modernisation and refurbishment on 16 September 1980 and reopened on 6 May 1981, and that rebuild is essentially the venue audiences see today. Its guest list over the decades reads like a tour of British popular music, taking in The Rolling Stones, T Rex, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, Paul Weller, Ozzy Osbourne, Status Quo, Motorhead, Kings of Leon, Stereophonics, Queens of the Stone Age, Kaiser Chiefs, Frank Turner and Morrissey. Comedy has been just as well served, with Victoria Wood, Ken Dodd, Norman Wisdom, Lenny Henry, Brian Conley, Ross Noble, Frankie Boyle and Russell Howard all appearing. On the classical side, the tenor Richard Tauber sang here five times, in 1937, 1939, 1940, 1946 and 1947.

Management has changed hands several times in the modern era. In the late 1990s Folkestone and Hythe Council invited Apollo Leisure to run the hall, followed by Clear Channel Entertainment in 2001, whose theatre division became Live Nation in 2005. Since November 2009 the venue has been operated by Ambassador Theatre Group, now ATG Entertainment, with the building still owned and supported by Folkestone and Hythe District Council.

Leas Cliff Hall aims to make live performance available to everyone, with staff on hand to help on arrival.

• Parking: parking is available at theatre level, and Sandgate Road Car Park has a direct entrance through to the venue. Roadside spaces can also be found along The Leas.
• Step-free access and lifts: there is lift access to the Stalls and Dress Circle levels. Please note there is no lift access to the Balcony level.
• Accessible toilets: located on the west side of the building at Grand Hall level, and also in the Channel Suite, which is reached by lift.
• Visually impaired audiences: details of audio description, touch tours and other visual services are listed on the venue's Visual Impairment Services page.
• D/deaf and hard of hearing audiences: the venue has the Mobile Connect hearing enhancement system, which works in any seat in the auditorium. Speak to staff on arrival and they will help you sign in and issue a headset. Signed performances and other services are listed on the venue's Hearing Impairment Services page.
• Relaxed performances: relaxed performances are scheduled at certain times of year, including during the pantomime season.
• Access Membership Scheme: ATG's free scheme lets you book accessible seats online, book an essential companion ticket if eligible, and receive news of access performances.

Accessibility assistance line

0333 009 5399. Typetalk users can call 1800 1 0333 009 5399.