Nottingham Playhouse
(formerly Cast, Limelight)
East Circus Street
The Park
Nottingham
NG1 5AL
Opening Times
11-11
Meal Times
12-8
Owner
Nottingham Playhouse
About the Pub
Bar for Nottingham Playhouse popular for pre-show meals and drinks during intermissions. Ample seating inside on various levels and alongside a separate restaurant area. Cask ales switched from limited national brands to smaller breweries in 2013 and have been greatly received. Closing times are typically at 11pm, but can vary depending on show so ringing ahead is advised.
Historic Interest
Cast is in a Grade II* listed building (No. 1255252) and is located in Nottingham City Council's Wellington Circus Conservation Area. Once known as the Limelight, it was for many years a popular real ale pub when there were comparatively few in the City. "Repertory theatre. 1961-3. By Peter Moro. Reinforced concrete. A square plan with a 2-storey foyer to Wellington Circus, which drops sharply with the fall of the hill to the rear to allow backstage workshops and dressing room space. Projecting arm to left contains rehearsal room, and bars and restaurants held by separate lessees and not of special interest. From within this square body rises the circular auditorium with stalls and a single circle, and behind it a higher flytower. EXTERIOR: glazed ground floor with above it the first floor treated as a low, horizontal band, chequer-patterned with opaque white panels and dark glazing - the pattern of light and dark is reversed at night. The effect serves to entice one into the interior. Foyer with open tread staircases and a balcony following the perimeter of the square outside walls; the round drum of the auditorium is largely left free, save for a sculpture by Geofrey Clarke. Circular auditorium clad with black timber treated as a series of vertical slats that continues the theme of the exterior whilst serving also as a covering for extra wiring or lighting. Proscenium-arch stage is adaptable as apron or thrust stage which can be raised over the orchestra pit and the front stalls; the surrounding row of seats can be adjusted round this altered form; a novelty in 1963. A circular grid serves this apron stage whilst contributing to the architectural form of the interior. HISTORICAL NOTE: the Nottingham Playhouse was the first theatre in England to break away from the conventional proscenium stage. It marks the beginning of a new and extremely successful period for the British theatre. Stylistically it is a crucial link between the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal National Theatre whilst standing as the supreme example of the new and successful wave of repertory theatres built outside London. (Interbuild : July 1959: 38-40; Architect's Journal : 2 Sep 1959: 209-10; Architect's Journal : 1 Jan 1964: 27-44; Architect and Building News : 11 Dec & 18 Dec 1963; Concrete Quarterly : October 1964: 2-5)." (Historic England). [Nottingham City Council; Radford & Park Ward / Nottingham South Parliamentary Constituency]
Regular Beers
Changing Beers
This pub serves 2 changing beers.
Features
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Real Ale Available
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Member Discount Scheme
15% off.
Facilities
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Disabled Access
With disabled toilets.
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Lunchtime Meals
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Evening Meals
Require pre-booking.
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Pub Garden
Patio area to front.
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Dog Friendly
Outside of food service.
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Family Friendly
During matinees.
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Function Room
For 30
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Live Music
Open mic on Mondays.
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Newspapers
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Restaurant Area
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Smoking Area
Outside seating.
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Wifi
Password at bar.
View on Larger Map
Nottingham Playhouse
East Circus Street
The Park
Nottingham
NG1 5AL
Sat Nav Reference
Transport
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Close to Bus Routes
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Close to Metro
Nearby Bus Routes (50m)
Various
Nearby Metro (400m)
Royal Centre
Submit Pub Feedback to CAMRA
We welcome the help of all users to contribute to this important campaigning project. Please use the form below to submit feedback or updates directly to the Nottingham CAMRA branch for consideration.
Please note that any changes mentioned WILL NOT have an immediate effect on whatpub.com but will instead be emailed directly to the Nottingham CAMRA branch Pubs Officer for consideration. If you provide your name and/or email address this information will also be visible to the Pubs Officer, who may use this information to follow up your feedback. IF YOU WISH TO CONTACT THE PUB DIRECT, PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS FORM.
