The former Colston Hall in Bristol city centre has had a name change, as part of a colossal £132 million transformation, and is now aptly named Bristol Beacon. Having been closed since 2018, it has been afforded the second largest investment by Arts Council England this century and will be the largest concert venue in south-west England.
The Beacon is home to four new performance spaces, headed up by the 2000-capacity Beacon Hall. The five years of work has yielded crystal-clear acoustics, lovingly restored décor and beautiful – not to mention comfortable! – styled seats designed by the artist Rana Begum. There’s been no stone unturned in the venue’s facelift, including the painstaking restoration of the Britton organ and its 5,372 pipes in the main room.
The Beacon’s new Lantern Hall originates from 1873, a stunning central Victorian atrium which looks on to a newly polished restaurant; the Cellars, which have opened for the first time in 100 years, now host an education centre. Care has been taken with matters of physical accessibility.
Entering the main hall for the first time, you can see what chief executive Louise Mitchell means when she calls the Beacon “a place full of warmth and light, where music lovers meet and everyone belongs”. The venue’s maiden performance, titled Trip The Light Fantastic, featured Paraorchestra – led by conductor Charles Hazlewood – locally-based electronic artist Surgeons Girl, and responding composer Oliver Vibrans. Given the enticing title Prelude To A Beginning, it really was a spiritually immersive experience, awakening any sleeping senses: the added element of Limbic Cinema alchemised the beauty of light, music and venue.
The Paraorchestra collective comprises just under 40 musicians who identify as disabled, D/deaf or neurodivergent, with a set agenda of increasing this number. With the ensemble dressed fully in white – and Hazlewood’s shoes capping a fine look all round – you could have closed your eyes, and been transported somewhere ethereal.
The Bristol Beacon plan to host over 800 events per year; tickets for the first batch of these are on sale here.
Trip The Light Fantastic, Bristol Beacon, Thurs 30 Nov
words and photos ANTONIA LEVAY
