The project will see the reinstatement of a 30m fly tower at the rear of the theatre, some 40 years after the stage house burned down and was subsequently demolished.
The transformation of the New Theatre Royal includes the extension of the original building to provide new facilities for university students on creative arts courses. ISG will deliver a new double-height studio theatre and television studio, each with its own control room, as well as teaching space, music practice rooms and office areas.
A significant fundraising campaign spearheaded by the theatre, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England has enabled the project to get underway, with further donations being sought to carry out additional refurbishment and improvement work to the Grade II listed building.
The project will increase the theatre’s current capacity from 500 to 700 seats. Temporary structures put in after the 1972 fire will now be replaced.
The project is scheduled for completion in summer 2014.
ISG regional managing director Ian Gifford said: “Our experience delivering the £25.6m Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury undoubtedly proved an important factor in our latest appointment. Directly applying the learning and expertise of our Marlowe project delivery team to the New Theatre Royal redevelopment has resulted in significant efficiencies being identified in the programme and budget, which has really added value to our overall role in the scheme.”
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