NEXT week, one of Reading’s most well-known modern landmarks, The Hexagon, celebrates its 30th birthday.

For the past three decades, the venue has hosted every type of entertainment gathering possible, including world class snooker tournaments, live gigs, fashion shows, debates, children’s concerts and – of course – theatre.

Everyone will have their own favourite: perhaps it was making that magical first-ever theatre visit  to chuckle at a fun Christmas pantomime?

Maybe you enjoyed one of the many role playing exhibition days? Or even loved seeing some of your favourite bands – even if those ABBA melodies actually came from a tribute act? There really has been something for everyone at The Hexagon.

It seems hard to believe that, before The Hexagon opened its doors in 1977, Reading had been without a theatre for more than 15 years.

Although the Town Hall was used for some performances, it was deemed unsuitable for modern-day needs. But it is a Victorian building, and built for a very different theatregoing audience.

The modern-day Hexagon was first mooted at the beginning of the 1970s: originally the plan was for a small assembly hall to be part of the new civic centre, which would replace the Town Hall offices.

Criticism meant that the plans were upscaled. The proposed 750-seater would be replaced with a separate arts complex next to the new centre, giving a capacity audience of 1,500.

It took five years’ work before The Hexagon finally opened, in November 1977. The name, which came from its distinctive shape, was given to it by Cathryn Ellis, after a public competition was held.

And it’s been packing in the audiences ever since.

Next Wednesday, a gala concert will ensure that the theatre enjoys appropriate birthday party, but of course the show must go on.

It will soon be panto season again and the new year brings with it a wide range of quality entertainment, including Jimmy Carr, The Wizard of Oz,Natasha Beddingfield, LazyTown! and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

So, happy birthday to The Hexagon. Its future may be uncertain, as plans to build a new theatre take shape, but it’ll still be around to entertain us for a while yet.

Join in the celebrations at Wednesday’s concert

A glittering group of musicians will help celebrate The Hexagon’s 30th anniversary on Wednesday.

A gala concert starring world-renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber and leading soprano Lesley Garrett perform a selection of popular works.

The concert opens with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) performing Rossini’s rollicking William Tell Overture followed by Beethoven’s Romance.

Violinist Tamsin Little will provide the solo to the serene work Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams.

Then pianist Peter Donohoe will take to the stage to perform George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the orchestra.

The mood will change to Russian romance when Julian Lloyd Webber plays Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations.

Finally the concert will end with a rousing finale from Leslie Garrett joined by the RPO under the baton of Philip Ellis.

She will bring on the audience pleasers with a selection of favourite arias from Puccini, Verdi and Mozart.

Tickets for this glittering show cost £40 and £35 from the box office on (0118) 960 6060.