A North Staffordshire theatre will be able to make significant improvements to its building thanks to a £1.2 million grant made by the Denise Coates Foundation.
The Foundation is backing the New Vic Theatre, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, to the tune of £1,161,376 to support in three areas of capital development in the coming year, ensuring the upkeep of the theatre building is secured for the long term.
The bulk of the money be spent on backstage improvements, mainly focused on the refurbishment of the actor dressing rooms, the first significant upgrade to these facilities since the theatre was built in 1986, including shower and bathroom facilities.
A larger, en-suite, accessible dressing room with wet room will be installed and public toilets for young people taking part in theatre workshops and attending shows in the Studio will also be upgraded.
Improvements being made to the theatre’s lighting and sound equipment include replacing the original backstage and public areas communications system, the installation of projection equipment and upgrades to more modern, energy efficient lighting and sound systems for the stage and rehearsals.
Some of the investment will also go towards the theatre’s fundraising for environmental improvements and support grant investment already confirmed through Arts Council England.
Once fundraising for this project is complete it will include the installation of smart heating and ‘ventilation on demand’ control systems as well as the fitting of solar energy panels and replacement of existing boilers and single glazed windows to improve the theatre’s energy efficiency and environmental impact.
The theatre also hopes to install electric vehicle charging points on the site.
Reducing the amount that needs to be spent on maintenance costs and energy bills will, in turn, help the theatre to increase investment in work on stage and through education and community projects.
New Vic Managing Director Fiona Wallace said: “We know that the Denise Coates Foundation are a major supporter of charities for our area and we are extremely grateful that the Foundation’s support for the New Vic will help look after this wonderful theatre building, now and for future generations.
“The New Vic is at the centre of our local community, not only as a working, producing theatre with permanent on-staff artists and theatre-makers, but also as a hub for projects with our local communities and young people.
“Over 180,000 people come through our doors every year. Our building has a special role to play in the architectural heritage of theatre development as one of very few purpose-built theatres-in-the-round and was the first theatre-in-the-round to be built in Europe.
“Over the years we have prioritised our investment on public areas that our audiences see and benefit from but environmental and backstage improvements are long overdue and will be very warmly welcomed by actors, artists, participants and theatre-goers.”
Denise Coates CBE, of the Denise Coates Foundation, also the boss of Etruria-based bet365, said: “I am delighted that the Foundation is able to support this latest round of capital investment.
“It will enable the theatre to implement a modernisation programme that will result in much needed improvements to back stage areas and very importantly, New Vic will have the resources to deliver its environmental improvement plans which will significantly reduce its carbon footprint.”
