Beck Theatre


The Beck Theatre is a 600-seat theatre in Hayes, in the London Borough of Hillingdon. It was built in 1977 at a cost of £2.5 million.

Type

The Beck is a community theatre, offering one-night concerts, drama, comedy, dance, musicals, children's shows, films, opera, pantomime, and a children's summer project.

History

The Beck Theatre was built in 1977 by Hillingdon [London Borough Council|Hillingdon Borough Council], with a bequest from Councillor Alfred Beck. It was purpose-built as a community-focused theatre, and is set in a parkland aspect adjoining a botanical garden.
The Beck was one of forty buildings considered for the Royal Institute of British Architects London region award in 1978, and in 2004 won an Access Award from Hillingdon Council for its resources for disabled and elderly people.
A fund shortage threatened the theatre's future in 1984, when it was saved by a local petition. It was taken over in 1986 by impresario Charles Vance. The management contract passed then to Hetherington Seelig, followed by Apollo Leisure in 1992. In 2006, the Beck reverted to Hetherington Seelig in a partnership with Qdos Entertainment called HQ Theatres, which continued to run the theatre on behalf of the local council until March 2021, when HQ Theatres was acquired by Trafalgar Entertainment, who now run the theatre.
In June 1991, the theatre was the scene of an attempted IRA bombing, before a performance by the Blues and Royals band.
In early 2024 the future of Beck came under threat of closure again after the contract between Hillingdon Council and Trafalgar Theatres ended which led to disputes and arguments between the council and Trafalgar Theatres and several protests organised by the Back The Beck team, later in 2024 Trafalgar Theatres walked away from negotiations with the council and specialist theatre consultants were brought in to find a new operator to run the Beck Theatre in early December 2024 Parkwood Theatre were appointed to run the Beck Theatre with the contract still in the negotiation phase.
As of December 2025 the contract is still yet to be signed by Parkwood Theatre and Hillingdon Council.
From June 1998 until July 1999 New York Times #1 bestseller Tony Lee worked at the theatre as their Marketing Manager.

Artists

The following is a selective list of artists to have performed at the Beck:

Transport

Buses

The 90, 195, 278, 427, SL8, H98 and U7 buses all stop at the Beck Theatre. Alight at the traffic lights at the junction of Uxbridge Road and Grange Road.

Train

The closest train station is Hayes & Harlington, which is approximately away. The 90, 278, 195 and H98 buses connect Hayes and Harlington Station and the Beck Theatre.

Tube

is the closest London Underground station. The 427, SL8 and U7 buses connect Uxbridge station and the Beck Theatre.