The Theatre has been part of the fabric of Newcastle city centre since 1837. A Grade 1 Listed Building, it features what is generally regarded as the finest theatre façade in the UK combined with a fine 1901 auditorium designed by one of the great theatre architects, Frank Matcham, after the original interior had been destroyed by fire in 1899. This cultural legacy must have presented quite a daunting task to the team. Woodley is unashamedly enthusiastic about the challenge: "This has been such an exciting and demanding project, requiring the full range of Charcoalblue's skills and knowledge. We began in 2006, providing a new restaurant, bars, foyer space, box office, small education studio theatre and new side-stage assembly area. During the same period, we led the design of a new double purchase flying system complete with innovative GRP grid which was part of a wider scheme to improve the working environment and technical capability of the fly-tower. Our colleagues, Unusual Rigging, realised this part of the renovation, improving the technical capabilities, safer rigging and working practices."
But that was only the beginning, as Woodley elaborates, "In this latest phase of the project we tackled the refurbishment of the auditorium, including the replacement of the lighting, electrical and ventilation systems to enhance comfort levels for the audience. Charcoalblue provided guidance on seating and sightlines in the refurbished auditorium, as well as designing the new technical systems which complement the restoration."
It is that sympathetic aspect to the project that immediately strikes a visitor to the Theatre. The objective was to restore the architectural magnificence of Mathcham's auditorium whilst making the venue fit for purpose in the 21st Century. Gavin Green, Charcoalblue's Head of Theatre Design, explains: "Having already designed and managed the refurbishment of the flytower, we were thrilled to be able to return to restore the auditorium to its former glory. Working closely with the architect and historical consultant, we removed years of dust and dirt, taking the theatre back to the genius of Matcham's original vision."
The new installation of the flytower could now be complemented by modernising the auditorium facilities, as Woodley explains: "While the stage lift and orchestra pit were replaced, lighting and sound rigging positions improved and upgraded as well as creating better access to the equipment and technical areas, we were just as busy out in the auditorium. The whole of the electrical infrastructure was replaced: lighting bars and custom speaker brackets were designed and installed to be both aesthetically sympathetic and more easily able to accommodate the very variable requirements of everything from Pantomime to the RSC. Theatre Royal regulars AudioLight Systems, who were responsible for this part of the installation, took the opportunity to fit fibre optic links and data cabling alongside the analogue tielines. The structural improvements were frankly opulent: the proscenium arch, tiers and boxes have been gold-leafed and, at all levels, the seating has been replaced with Edwardian-style theatre seats; we have improved on comfort and leg room for the audience. New frescos for the lobby and upper circle have been commissioned and the amphitheatre, which was removed during previous renovations, has been reinstated."
Refreshingly, in these times of austerity and financial gloom, Philip Bernays, chief executive o
