Opened in 1988, The Hawth offers one of the liveliest and most diverse programmes of arts and performance in the South East.
Opened in 1988, The Hawth offers one of the liveliest and most diverse programmes of arts and performance in the South East.
Opened in 1988, The Hawth offers one of the liveliest and most diverse programmes of arts and performance in the South East. The Hawth plays host to artists, musicians, dancers and performers from around the world, from household names and West End shows to artists presenting new performances, theatre, music, dance, and comedy.
The Studio presents the best in contemporary theatre and dance, blues, folk, jazz and world music, children's shows, workshops and community events.
Set in a 38 acre wooded site, The Hawth's facilities include the Theatre (seating 855), Studio (seating 146), meeting rooms, a restaurant and pizzeria, two bars, and an amphitheatre used for performances throughout the summer.
The programme of events includes over 350 performances and events a year, attracting over 150,000 paying customers to the venue. The quality, range and diversity of the events has established the theatre as one of the most respected venues in the south east of England.
The theatre is regularly hired by both local and national businesses and arts organisations as a venue for conferences, exhibitions and events.
The Hawth is managed by Parkwood Theatres working in partnership with Crawley Borough Council.
The Hawth first opened its doors to the public in April 1988 and ever since has offered a diverse programme of top-quality arts and entertainment.
Some of the many famous faces to have appeared on The Hawth stage include Richard Wilson, Alexandra Burke, Nigel Havers, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Eddie Izzard, Jimmy Carr, Nigel Kennedy, Marti Pellow, Miranda Hart, Stephen Mulhern, Derren Brown and Romesh Ranganathan who recorded his Netflix special here.
Hit West End musicals have included West Side Story, Grease, Saturday Night Fever, Evita, Blood Brothers, Heathers, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cats, Chicago and The Bodyguard.
Visiting companies have included the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Royal National Theatre, D'Oyly Carte Opera, English National Opera and English National Ballet as well as renowned international companies and performers from all corners of the world.
The Hawth hosted a Royal Gala in March 1992, when Her Royal Highness The Princess Of Wales attended a performance of London City Ballet's Romeo & Juliet.
The Studio has also featured many shows, performers and companies that have gone on to great success. Where else could you sit in an intimate 146-seat theatre and enjoy the talents of such little-known stars (at the time) as Jamie Cullum, Jack Dee, Julian Clary, Rag 'n' Bone Man, Sally Phillips, Neil Pearson and Mark Williams.
It's always been part of The Hawth's philosophy to encourage participation in the arts and there are opportunities to get involved in everything from dance, theatre, music, art and creative writing amongst many other activities in the Dance Studio and The Loft.