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Arts & Culture

Shaftesbury Theatre reveals further transformation plans

Featured image credit: Simon Burchell/CC BY-SA 4.0/Edited for size

The West End’s Shaftesbury Theatre has unveiled the second phase of its multi-million-pound renovation.

The Grade II listed building is undergoing a dramatic transformation, with new updates including a new 1911 Stalls bar; a private hospitality suite called The Taffner Suite; new toilets; re-roofing to include energy efficient insulation; an air conditioning system to help reduce energy costs; an overhaul of the historic ceilings; a lift to allow those with disabilities to access the Stalls; 13 spaces for wheelchairs; new removable seats that will eventually replace all seats in the auditorium and new stores, offices and a kitchen. 

The auditorium will also be refashioned to provide separation between the Stalls and new spaces. 

Shaftesbury Theatre again worked with architects Bennetts Associates, which also worked on the venue’s award-winning flytower and new offices, which have been in use since 2016. 

Work will also begin on replacing the Stalls ladies’ toilets, and refurbishing and enlarging the Circle bar, which is set to be renamed after the theatre’s original architect Bertie Crewe. 

The Grand bar is also set to become the Melville, which is named after the brothers that built the New Prices Theatre in 1911. In the Royal Circle, a new hospitality area will be named after the playwright and actor Ray Cooney, who created the company that owns the theatre. 

Further phases include redecoration, carpeting and reseating in the auditorium as well as external repairs and improvements such as a new main entrance and the installation of digital signage.