The purpose of the refurbishment is to provide an improved Arts and Community facility for the 60,000 plus visitors who currently enjoy the facilities by re-modelling the interior, providing a new restaurant and café, a new lift facility with back stage improvements and a new studio theatre space.
Improvements in the main theatre will include increased legroom and a brand new hearing loop system making every seat user friendly to hearing impaired patrons.
The Project
Working alongside the main contractors Northern Bear on the re-modelling of the interior of the Playhouse are Ward Robinson Ltd and JDDK Architects.
Ward Robinson Ltd, a highly experienced team of Interior Designers who have a proven track record of exceptional delivery over a diverse range of projects, examples include the stunning Grade II listed Longhirst Hall in Morpeth.
JDDK Architects, based in Newcastle upon Tyne have been established since 1987, the quality of their work has been reflected in over 100 architectural awards including the RIBA Building of the Year Award (now the Stirling Prize) for St Oswald’s Hospice.
Click here to watch a fly-through artists impression of the bar refurbishments by Ward Robinson Ltd.
Refurbishment begins
After closing in August with three performances from Shakespeare’s Globe on Tour, contractors Northern Bear who previously worked on the highly successful Tyneside Cinema redevelopment in 2014 were appointed, taking over the site in September. With the help of the staff and local community, the auditorium seating was removed and the Playhouse was emptied by the time Northern Bear took over.
Watch a fascinating time-lapse video showing the whole ‘get out’ process
Click here.
The steps were quickly removed, stripping the area back to the concrete base.
Work begins on designing the new layout, with the much-needed extra legroom audiences have been asking for…