Leisure, Art & Culture

By day the city is a lively and attractive centre for shopping, culture and commerce.  By night it's a haven for 1 million leisure visitors a year with numerous clubs, pubs, theatres and concert venues.

The Grand Theatre is Wolverhampton's largest theatre and hosts a varied programme staging productions by visiting companies including many from the West End.  The theatre seats 1200 people and was opened in 1894.  The Arena Theatre within the University of Wolverhampton is a smaller more intimate theatre seating 150, hosting both professional and amateur performances.

Wolverhampton has a number of live music venues including Wolverhampton Civic Hall, with a standing capacity of 3,000, Wulfrun Hall and the Slade Rooms.  Wolverhampton regularly hosts big name bands and comedy acts, up and coming bands and classical music.

Cinema is catered for by the 2-screen independent cinema Light House Media Centre, housed in the Chubb Buildings, the former Chubb lock factory, for over 20 years.  Light House hosts photography exhibitions, media events and 2 international film and animation festivals, and houses Lock Works cafe bar.  The centre also offers a range of media training courses, film production facilities and business support services for the creative industries in the city.

Art Gallery, right in the city centre is home to England's biggest Pop Art collection next that held at the Tate, as well as large collections of Victorian Art and many touring shows.

Marston's has recently opened a Visitor Centre showing the history of brewing and encompassing a full guided tour with an insight into a fully operation al Victorian Brewhouse and finishing with a sampling session of Marston's and Banks' products.

Visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/whatson for full details of council supported entertainment within the city or click here for a selection of forthcoming events