Blackfriars Theatre and Arts Centre

Blackfriars Theatre and Arts Centre, located in Boston, serves as a pivotal hub for entertainment and the arts. Established in 1966, its origins trace back to a 1959 meeting of local drama and arts groups, led by Alan Champion and architect Alan Meldrum. They envisioned converting the remnants of a 13th-century Dominican Friary into a theatre. The Blackfriars Trust was formed in 1961 to fund this conversion, supported by a Ministry of Works grant. Over the years, the venue expanded to include studios, a kitchen, and offices, and appointed its first full-time professional director in 1980. Today, Blackfriars hosts a diverse range of professional stage productions and is home to successful local amateur dramatic and operatic groups. The theatre operates under a board of directors and relies heavily on volunteers for essential roles, including box office, administration, and front-of-house duties.