16 October 2002
UK’s only surviving Georgian Theatre restored to former glory
Work is progressing well on a £1 million restoration scheme at the Grade 1 Georgian Theatre in Richmond, North Yorkshire.
The 1788 Georgian Theatre is rich in history and regarded as the most important existing theatre in the development of the English playhouse.
It was among the circuit theatres owned by Samuel Butler and is the only one of over 340 built in the Georgian period to have survived largely unaltered.
Allen Tod Architecture is leading the design of the project with a scheme that complements the sensitive nature of the existing building and ensures the theatre’s long-term survival.
Allen Tod project architect Robert Finch, said: “We faced the challenge of recreating how the theatre would have looked over 200 years ago. Specialist research has been commissioned to ensure the authenticity of the auditorium and English Heritage has enthusiastically received our plans.
“The design concept also links the historic with the modern through new front-of-house facilities and disabled access. The restoration initiative aims to combine an authentic Georgian auditorium with modern-day demands.”
International consulting engineers Buro Happold – who have designed a scheme to improve ventilation – are assisting Allen Tod along with structural engineers Michael Heal Associates. The development work, supported by Arts Council lottery funding, includes refurbishment of the auditorium and backstage area to secure the building’s future as a working theatre into the next century. All of the design team have worked in close collaboration with each other ensuring that the theatre is being restored as close to its original form as possible.
The theatre closed in 1848 and was used as a wine vault and auction room before being ‘rediscovered’ in the 1940s with its original structure of boxes, gallery and proscenium still largely intact.
After being renovated and reopened as a theatre and museum in 1963, it continues to present more than 60 productions a year in its auditorium, which seats 214. The museum is also an important study centre for students of theatre development.
Said Georgian Theatre Manager Bill Sellars: “The aim has been to improve the authenticity of the theatre without circumscribing its use for contemporary productions and the work is being done in consultation with Richmondshire District Council Conservation Officer, David Elliot, and Giles Proctor of English Heritage.
“Altogether there is a large team of people working on the project and our partnership with Allen Tod and Buro Happold is a productive one. The work is going smoothly and everyone is being kept up to date.”
It is hoped the theatre will reopen in May 2003 – forty years after the last major reopening. The museum is remaining open throughout the restoration period and features include an observation point to enable visitors to see how work is progressing.
1. The Georgian Theatre and museum were rediscovered and recorded in the 1940s by Richard Leacroft and Richard Southern. When the theatre reopened in 1963 following repair and renovation work, it was one of the very first to be revived in Britain.
2. In the mid-1990s Allen Tod Architecture (which has offices at Leeds and Farringdon, London) and design company, Blue, carried out extensive alterations to the theatre museum and a re-interpretation of the collection.
3. David Wilmore’s Theatresearch and Iain Mackintosh of Theatre Projects are among the specialist consultants working with Allen Tod Architecture on the current restoration scheme.
4. Buro Happold is a multi-disciplinary international practice of consulting engineers established in 1976. Its network of offices includes bases at Leeds and Manchester.
5. The theatre restoration work is receiving financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Arts Council Lottery Fund.
Further information and an image of the Georgian Theatre are available from:
Quest PR Tel: 01423 564192
Email::questteam@quest-pr.com
Or
Danielle Dickinson Tel:0113 204 2200
Email:Danielle.dickinson@burohappold.com Danielle.dickinson.com
