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Curtain up on weddings at Shanklin Theatre as it unveils new marriage licence

Shanklin Theatre has a wedding licence. Photo: Roger Coleman and Louise Bond, from Shanklin Theatre and (right) registrar Janice Lord.
Shanklin Theatre has a wedding licence. Photo: Roger Coleman and Louise Bond, from Shanklin Theatre and (right) registrar Janice Lord.

Shanklin Theatre can now stage weddings on its....um...stage.

Couples planning to tie the knot on the glorious Isle of Wight will be able to walk up the aisle in the footsteps of the great and good from the world of entertainment.

Sitting at the heart of the community and run by a huge network of volunteers, Shanklin Theatre has long proved a draw for actors, comedians, singers and writers.

It has hosted appearances by Norman Wisdom, Arthur Lowe, Jimmy Tarbuck, Craig Revel Horwood, Jason Manford, Sarah Millican, Lucy Worsley, Jane McDonald, Eddie Izzard and many more.

Isle of Wight County Press:
Isle of Wight County Press:

Now, the theatre's new wedding licence provides something a little different when it comes to exchanging vows, with services conducted by an Isle of Wight registrar (booked separately) on hand to make sure lines aren't forgotten.

Where can you get married at Shanklin Theatre?

From a stage area (with state of the art lighting and a glittery curtain) to the restored 1940s themed Map Room (once used by Civil Defence as a control room and strengthened by steel girders to protect against WW2 bombs and crammed with historic finds), there are plenty of spaces to choose from.

Upstairs, the former Mayor's Room dates to 1913 and behind the stage area are dressing rooms, with lights bright enough to show off a wedding dress from every angle.

Arrivals are red-carpet worthy of a red carpet - including a sweep up the front steps, through the doors and into the theatre's imposing three-storey classical facade.

How can you contact Shanklin Theatre about getting married there?

Louise Bond, from Shanklin Theatre Limited, the organisation that has run the venue since 2010, said: "We already have our first wedding booked in and we can't wait to host more!"

"Drop us an email via weddings@shanklintheatre.com for booking and details and we can advise you on what to do next."

Roger Coleman, from Shanklin Theatre Limited said: "We have a terrific choice of shows here, but weddings will be something quite different.

"Our new wedding licence, which allows us to host civil ceremonies, means a very exciting future for the theatre."