New venue confirmed for carnival concerts

A new venue has been confirmed for a string of carnival concerts while their usual home is refurbished.

The Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Concerts will take place at The McMillan Theatre in October as Bridgwater Town Hall is closed for a £5.4m redevelopment.

The concerts have been held in Bridgwater for more than 140 years as a warm-up for the Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival.

"The Carnival Committee and wider Carnival community are genuinely positive and excited by the news, seeing the move to The McMillan Theatre as a real opportunity rather than a setback," said a spokesperson for Bridgwater Carnival.

"There's a strong feeling that this one-year change keeps a much loved tradition alive while giving performers the chance to shine on a professional theatre stage," they added.

They said the Carnival Concerts would run "exactly as they always have, with the same competitive spirit, judging and atmosphere", before returning to the town hall next year.

A spokesperson for Bridgwater Town Council said the concerts were an important part of the town's cultural calendar which "showcase the incredible talent and spirit of Bridgwater".

The McMillan Theatre is a part of and supported by Bridgwater and Taunton College.

Its principal Jason Gunningham said the theatre was proud to host the concerts, describing the town's carnival as "a special and important part of the community that celebrates music, creativity and community spirit".

Bridgwater Town Council confirmed the shows would return to the town hall in 2027 and said improvements to lighting, sound and accessibility were included in the renovations.

The concert organisers will be given use of the town hall free of charge for the 2027 run of shows.

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