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Theatre Royal unveils restoration plans

Newcastle’s Theatre Royal will unveil the plans behind its £4.75m restoration project today.

Due to take place between March and September 2011, in readiness for the Theatre’s 175th birthday in 2012, the restoration work will ensure the Grade I listed Theatre, is protected for the enjoyment of future generations. The restoration also intends to improve the building’s energy and carbon efficiency.

Conservation measures will also be implemented to protect the outer fabric of the building including the auditorium roof and the famous Portico on Grey Street which has been subject to rainwater damage.

During the restoration process, there will be no shows staged at the Theatre for five months.

Theatre Royal Chief Executive Philip Bernays said: “This is a very exciting time for us. We are now moving from the feasibility stage to the full development of technical proposals – the vision of this restoration is now becoming a reality, and audiences can look forward to a much more comfortable and special experience.

“The Theatre Royal is not only one of the most impressive buildings in Britain, but it is also a major monument of civic pride. It has a place in the hearts and minds of every person in the north east and also many further afield. Its protection and conservation is of national importance.”

Funding for the project will come from a number of different sources including both private and public, and a financial plan to support the project was endorsed by the Theatre Royal Board in December 2009.

James Ramsbotham, Chief Executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, said: “We’re right behind this development - the Theatre Royal is one of Europe’s great theatres and a flagship building in the North East. It is a key part of the impressive cultural fabric here and brings real economic benefits as well as great cultural impact. People like to live in the region and to visit the region because of places like the Theatre Royal.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .