The Academy
Thorns Collegiate Academy boasts excellent theatrical facilities, suitable for conferences, talks, lectures, plays, musicals and dance shows amongst a plethora of other professional events.
Interested in hiring the Hardwicke Theatre?
The Hardwicke Theatre, a high quality, low cost performance facility for our students and the community, seats an audience of 186 in its tiered and retractable seating, alongside new projection facilities, sound system and curtains and also refurbished lighting system.
Sir Cedric Hardwicke (1893-1964) was born in Lye. He was an English actor who worked on stage and screen for over 50 years. His theatre work included Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw, travelling the world ‘treading the boards’. The late Sir Hardwicke, who is commemorated at Lye Cross, was the youngest actor at the time to receive a knighthood at the age of 41.
Thorns Collegiate Academy decided to name the theatre after him, to provide inspiration for students and members of the community pursuing an interest in performing arts.
Edward Hardwicke the son of Sir Cedric, gave his support to the relaunch of The Hardwicke Theatre in 2011. At the event Mr Hardwicke spoke of his delight at the decision by staff at Thorns Collegiate Academy to honour his Holllywood actor father, who was born a stone’s throw away from the Academy.
| Day | Open | Closed |
| Monday | 5pm | 9pm |
| Tuesday | 5pm | 9pm |
| Wednesday | 5pm | 9pm |
| Thursday | 5pm | 9pm |
| Friday | 5pm | 9pm |
| Saturday | Contact for details | |
| Sunday | Contact for details |
*to discuss extra/additional hours – please contact us
