The Welwyn and Hatfield group was started in 2007 at The Hawthorne Theatre (Campus West Theatre).  The Welwyn group is one of our longest established areas and has a solid base of both performers and audience members. It has performed shows such as Sweeney Todd, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast. Campus West opened on 8 December 1973, a contemporary building of pleasing red brick with white mullions. Campus West’s ‘jewel in the crown,’ is the much loved, newly rebranded 361-seat Hawthorne Theatre.  Two sets of double doors lead to a state-of-the art stadium auditorium where comfortable plush seats (installed in August 2010) afford ample legroom.  The theatre was redecorated in 2010, incorporating a new sound system as well as new stage curtains and drapes. The large stage plays host to drama, comedy, ballet, musicals and community productions.  It has also been famous for many years as the premier art house cinema in Hertfordshire.