Theatr y Brenin is getting a ‘makeover’ ahead of its 120th anniversary Achi-News
Theatr y Brenin is getting a ‘makeover’ ahead of its 120th anniversary Achi-News
Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
Opening on September 12, 1904, it has welcomed famous stars over the years including Sir John Gielgud, Katharine Hepburn – during a run of The Millionairess in 1952 – and Laurence Olivier.
The Category-A listed building remains one of Glasgow’s most beloved cultural landmarks, attracting audiences from across Scotland and beyond.
Now the theater is undergoing external repairs and cleaning of its two main elevations to ensure it will be enjoyed “for generations to come”.
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Planning permission for the work was granted by Glasgow City Council in April, with further conditions in accordance with the permission released this week.
The work includes stone cleaning, stonework repairs and roof repairs.
The planning documents state that the stonework repairs “will be carried out using new natural stone to match the original stonework in all aspects including colour, geological character, texture and course pattern”.
Repairs to slate roof areas will also be made with natural slate to match the existing ones.
Ambassador Theater Group, which runs the theatre, confirmed that the work will not affect shows held at the King’s.
Theatr y Brenin opened in 1904 and has hosted famous stars and shows ever since. (Photo: Kirsty Anderson/Newsquest)
Theater Director James Haworth told The Herald: “As we celebrate our 120th year on Bath Street, The King’s is getting a little facelift to ensure it looks its best! The work that is currently being done on the outside of the building is to ensure that our Category-A listed building will be enjoyed for generations to come.
“There will be no impact on shows held at the venue. We look forward to welcoming customers to our exciting program of shows this autumn, ahead of our 60th anniversary Peter Pan pantomime which will take us through from November 2024 until the new year.”
In September last year, it was revealed that a “very ambitious” multi-million pound plan to revamp The King’s was being developed to attract “bigger shows”.
The theatre’s owner, Glasgow City Council and ATG, which runs the Bath Street venue, confirmed they were working on a project to upgrade the A-listed building.
A council official said at the time that the refurbishment was necessary to attract shows “such as Hamilton and the Lion King” which “can’t fit in backstage at the moment”.
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A report from the council said that developments in “theatre design and the trend towards shows requiring larger and heavier sets, together with the requirement to significantly upgrade the accessibility and interior condition of the theatre” prompted Glasgow Theatrau Ltd to enter into discussions with the advice regarding “significant redevelopment of the location”.
The council officer said the hope was to establish “what the development could look like” over the next three years.
“It’s very ambitious,” he said. “It’s likely to include everything backstage, to be effectively stripped and built bigger, and taller and stronger.
“The shows we want to attract to the King’s Theater like Hamilton and the Lion King can’t fit in backstage at the moment, which is why they never appear in Glasgow. There is an aspiration to bring these bigger shows to the city.
In 2009, Edinburgh architecture firm Simpson & Brown were commissioned to carry out interior repair and restoration work at the theatre.
The aim of the project was to restore the front of house areas to their 1904 design and decorations, upgrade the services to modern standards and repair the external fabric.
The work was completed over two stages including the rebuilding of the stands and the upper ring floor, the installation of removable seating and platforms offering a flexible orchestra pit, dedicated seating for the disabled, strengthening work to the front of the upper ring balcony and auditorium seating and floors new in the auditorium. stalls, large circle and upper circle.
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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