Watermans, Arts centre and theatre in Brentford, England
Watermans Arts Centre sits on the banks of the River Thames and houses a 239-seat theatre, a 125-seat cinema, two galleries, and studio spaces. The facility is designed to support a range of art forms including theatre, film, and visual arts.
The centre originated with a trust established in 1975 that worked to raise funding for the project. Construction took around 15 years of planning before the facility finally opened to the public.
The venue became a hub for South Asian arts during the 1990s, showcasing work from emerging British-Asian artists and creators. This focus shaped the programming and made it an important meeting place for this artistic community.
The venue is fully accessible with wheelchair access throughout, offering three reserved spaces in the cinema and four in the theatre. Visitors should check ahead about daily programming and opening times, as schedules change regularly.
The term Acid Jazz originated here during one of Nicky Holloway's performances in late 1987, marking its place in British music history. That performance became a turning point for this new music genre, which went on to gain international recognition from this venue.
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