The Boat That Rocks!
Bristol's very own boat that rocks, Thekla is a veteran of Bristol's club and gig scene - and one of the most unique venues around.
A genuine cargo ship, Thekla is a club and gig experience like no other. With two decks of stages and bars, a topdeck smoking area, and a gangplank entrance, there's nothing quite like a night out at Thekla.
Thekla was built in 1958 by Büsumer-Schiffswerft W.&E. Sielaff at Büsum, Schleswig-Holstein for the Schepers family of Haren, Germany. Measuring 52.77m (173.2ft) from Bow to Stern, 8.82m (28.11ft) from Port to Starboard and powered by a Bohn & Kähler engine. The cargo hold was lined with Australian red jarrah wood which is very durable and water resistant which made it perfect for its life asa coastal trading vessel. It carried a variety of cargoes between Northern and Western European ports, particularly timber from ports of the Baltic Sea.
The vessel took on a new lease of life in Bristol's harbour as the Old Profanity Showboat. Under the ownership of Ki Longfellow-Stanshall and her husband Vivian Stanshall, the Old Profanity Showboat hosted hundreds of theatre, cabaret, comedy and live music shows during its short two year existence, including Stinkfoot, a three hour musical comedy opera co-written by Kiand Vivian. The boat welcomed a host of Britain’s finest artists as both performers and guests and the plan was to sail it to New York to do the same across the Atlantic, but unfortunately The Old Profanity Showboat closed its doors in August 1986.
Now, rechristened with its original name, Thekla provides shows and clubnights throughout the week and weekend, from classic nights like Pop Confessional, to one-off gigs and club nights.