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#1 · (Edited)
Theatre Royal plans to go back to the future
February 20th 2010, The Journal



A HISTORIC theatre has unveiled ambitious plans for a restoration that will transform it both inside and out. Newcastle’s Theatre Royal will take its audiences on a journey through time in a £4.75m revamp to commemorate the building’s 175th birthday in 2012. The Georgian venue has changed with the times, losing much of its original authenticity as light fittings, carpets and decor styles have gone in and out of fashion over the decades.

Most notably, the Grade-1-listed building on Grey Street was completely rebuilt following a fire that destroyed it in 1899. Now the grand Georgian structure, once referred to as “the greatest building on Britain’s greatest street”, will get an architectural overhaul with the purpose of recapturing the original style of Frank Matcham’s 1901 design, while at the same time introducing 21st century standards of comfort. Imitation gas-light burners and period-style seating will sit comfortably alongside Victorian fabrics, carpets and tile-work. State-of the-art ventilation and air-conditioning will also be installed, as well as a revamp of the theatre’s washrooms and other facilities.

From the stalls and gallery right through to the stage and parts of the building’s exterior, audiences will soon see changes described as “inspirational” by Theatre Royal Chief Executive Philip Bernays. He said yesterday: “This is a very exciting time for us. “We are now moving from the feasibility stage to the full development of technical proposals – the vision of this restoration is now becoming a reality, and audiences can look forward to a much more comfortable and special experience. “The Theatre Royal is not only one of the most impressive buildings in Britain, but it is also a major monument of civic pride. It has a place in the hearts and minds of every person in the North East and also many further afield.

“Its protection and conservation is of national importance.” The works - funded through donations from businesses, charitable organisations and ticket fees - are set to take place between March and September 2011. Mr Bernays said all functions at the theatre, including meetings, conferences and educational events, will continue throughout that period but performances will be suspended for five months while the bulk of the work takes place. Theatre conservation expert Dr David Wilmore and architects Peter Hall and Robert Sansome have drawn on samples of historical material including photographs and other theatre memorabilia to inform the restoration process. The Theatre is bidding for £250,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help fund the project.

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#27 ·
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Theatre Royal 2011 Restoration - Builders Diary Week 1 (w/c 14 March ‘11)

• The big auditorium strip-out. The seats are removed from the stalls. Our team of handy men dismantle each one,piece by piece, ready to be collected by the successful bidders from last week’s auction.

• The technical box, currently located in the Grand Circle, comes out. All wires, cables and equipment are removed in one go.

• Surgo arrived today and the auditorium has been officially cordoned off as a building site. Hard hats, sensible footwear and high vis vests only allowed! The seats are now completely removed from the Upper and Grand circles. Floor boards in the stalls taken up.

• Last remaining seats all came out today, and the carpet fully removed from the Stalls. The Grand is also now completely bare - just a series of wooden benches - looks a bit like an old Greek amphitheatre! Orchestra pit and the Stalls area adjoining it is all up.


Week 1 Photos . . .



















Sources . .

1 - Theatre Royal on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Theatre-Royal-Newcastle/17950275842

2 - The Builders Diary: http://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/restoration/building-progress

3 - Rory Gibson's Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gibbo_rory1/

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#28 ·
I'm guessing a few of you already follow, but it's worth keeping an eye on the Theatre Royal's FB page during their restoration...they've so far been incredibly hot at updating the page with images and info about how work is progressing in the restoration, and some little gems they're uncovering as they go along....much of the auditorium's previous life has been lying untouched in a time-capsule under regular 'upgrades' over the years, and it's a treat to see what's there!

If you're a theatre geek like me, do check it out :)
 
#30 ·
^^

Very interesting to see people getting quite 'agitated' about spending relatively small sums to preserve and renovate the building, in 1981.

Only five years later in 1986, they started spending £6.3Million on it, over a two year period (when they were largely closed down for that reason) ending in 1988.

The majority of that £6.3M came from the EU.

See earlier posts in this thread, starting here, for details of the 1986-1988 project - http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=67566051&postcount=8
 
#31 ·
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Theatre Royal 2011 Restoration - Builders Diary Week 2 (w/c 21 March)

• Lots of progress this week - the full ‘birdcage’ of scaffolding is now up inside the auditorium, right up to the ceiling (almost). The Gallery is now completely out.

• A very exciting day today - when the old 70s seating was stripped away in the Gallery, we were able to reveal the old original Matcham wooden benches underneath. They are lower and closer in, and in a much better position to see the stage.

• All the plasterwork on the circles has been ‘shrouded’ to protect it while the major seating work is done.

• The 70s doors have now started to come out in the foyer and bar areas.


Week 2 Photos . . .







The below photos show what was discovered in the 'Gallery' area of the auditorium. It reveals the old Matcham wooden benches, underneath the 1970’s seating tier (!!) . . .







Sources . .

1 - Theatre Royal on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Theatre-Royal-Newcastle/17950275842

2 - The Builders Diary: http://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/restoration/building-progress

3 - Rory Gibson's Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gibbo_rory1/

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#32 ·
Following Weeks 1 and 2 of the "Builders Diary" of the 2011 Restoration Project (see recent posts on this thread) the below shows an interesting exchange I had with the Copyright Owner of some of the photos used in the Diary . . .


To: rory.gibson@rocketmail.com;

Hello,

I am a Moderator on a worldwide construction, development and architecture forum, called "Skyscraper City" and one of our most successful urban forums is our Newcastle Forum,

LINK HERE . . . http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2258

One of the current threads on there covers the various restorations (including the currently ongoing one) at the Newcastle Theatre Royal, details and LINK (direct to that thread) below . . .

Theatre Royal Restoration | Newcastle | U/C - http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1251697

On that thread I am covering the ongoing restorations, that started a few weeks ago. As a resource for weekly updates, I am using the Theatre Royal's own public 'Facebook Page', and have included (always with links/credits back to that Facebook page) some of the photos published on there.

I have today noticed your details on some of those photos, and am writing to you now to confirm that you are content with my usage of your photos?

Skyscraper City is a VERY popular Website throughout the world, and I know that the threads on the Newcastle Forum are regularly viewed around the world.

Please have a look at the Theatre Royal thread (the second of the two LINKS, above) and particularly at the two recent "Weekly Updates" posts that I have done, and please let me know if you are content for me to use photos with your details on them?

Regards,
"Newcastle Historian"

From: Rory Gibson
Date: 01/04/2011 10:22:54
Subject: Re: Newcastle Theatre Royal - Restoration PHOTOS

Hello

Thanks for your email. I am happy for you to use my photos on your site, provided of course that the copyright is respected.

You might be interested to know that there are more photographs of the theatre on my own Flickr page at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gibbo_rory1/

I shall be regularly uploading more as the development progresses.

Hope you find them useful and of interest and as always I do appreciate feedback, positive and constructive!

Regards
Rory Gibson

So, now that my 'copyright concerns' about this one are resolved I think we can now look forward to LOTS of new photos of the restoration project, as it progresses over the coming six months.

I will be posting "Week 3" of the Builders Diary shortly . . .

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#33 ·
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Theatre Royal 2011 Restoration - Builders Diary Week 3 (w/c 28th March 2011)

• A lot of demolition this week - the Grand Circle and Basement have been totally stripped out and made bare. The Stalls have also been broken out and 'making good' work has begun. The proscenium trusses and decorative edge have been removed.

• The flooring has been removed from the Upper Circle, Gallery & the new area that will become the Amphitheatre (or premium gallery seating).

• Elsewhere, the Kiosk has been taken out, the air conditioning units removed from the roof space and work continues in the ceiling void.


Week 3 Photos . . .
























Sources . .

1 - Theatre Royal on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Theatre-Royal-Newcastle/17950275842

2 - The Builders Diary: http://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/restoration/building-progress

3 - Rory Gibson's Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gibbo_rory1/

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#37 ·
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Theatre Royal 2011 Restoration - Builders Diary Week 4 (w/c 4th April 2011)

1. Work is progressing so quickly now, the auditorium is completely unrecognisable!

2. The bird cage scaffolding dominates the central area totally, like a scene from The Matrix! Workmen all around at different levels. All the wallpaper is gone now and the walls are being prepared for their make-over. All the original Matcham features are bound up in Polywrap and very protected.

3. Lots of interesting work happening off-site this week, including the preparation of the Matcham Arcading. When ready, this particular section will go in the Grand Circle.

4. Critical electrical and mechanical work is now taking place in the Basement – the mysterious area that audiences never see, beneath the Stage and Stalls.

5. All the external non-Matcham paneling is being taken out of the Entrance Lobby this week – it’s nearly completely stripped of artificial trappings now and ready to be restored.

6. Roof covering has now begun – an important phase in the repair process.


Week 4 Photos . . .
















Now, a first look at some exterior works (see 'point 6' of this weeks Diary) . . .






Sources . .

1 - Theatre Royal on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Theatre-Royal-Newcastle/17950275842

2 - The Builders Diary: http://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/restoration/building-progress

3 - Rory Gibson's Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gibbo_rory1/

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#39 ·
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Theatre Royal 2011 Restoration - Builders Diary Week 5 (w/c 11th April 2011)

1. Electrical and mechanical work commenced in the Entrance Lobby this week.

2. The new Matcham ceiling fresco (for the Lobby) is coming on very nicely at the artist’s workshop down in Bristol. It’s a very specialist piece of work and will look truly beautiful – the artists/restorers preparing it are Bush & Berry.

3. Demolition and strip out work is now well underway in the Upper Circle and Amphitheatre. The Matcham stone benches are very clear to see now. Although they can’t have been very comfortable for those Victorian audiences, they are amazing to look at!

4. Some of the friezes in foyer areas have been ‘sugar soaped’ to try and clean them. They became dirty over the years as a result of smoking in the building – thankfully something we stopped here a LONG time ago!


Week 5 PHOTOS . . .

The Matcham stone benches are very clear to see now (first two photos) . .















Repainting taking place inside the auditorium . . .



Cleaning in progress on the gallery front . . .



The Concessions (sweets) Counter, and if you look at this photo closely, you can now see RIGHT THROUGH to the stage! . . .



The Grand Circle (bar area) showing part of the ceiling area cleaned, and part still uncleaned. The 'uncleaned area' shows the impact of all those years of smoking, though this was stopped in the Theatre Royal many years ago . . .



Finally, this is the gallery bar - or at least, it was . . .




Sources . .

1 - Theatre Royal on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Theatre-Royal-Newcastle/17950275842

2 - The Builders Diary: http://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/restoration/building-progress

3 - Rory Gibson's Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gibbo_rory1/

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#41 ·
Your weekly updates are exemplary NH. Keep up the good work! I have to say, seeing the auditorium forested with scaffolding is quite evocative of other theatre renovations I have known; being allowed to walk around on the planking directly beneath the ceiling is a special experience! Great stuff.

Thanks for the comments Damon, glad you're enjoying the updates.

I have just edited my 'Week 5' post, to add FIVE more photos that I have found. Hope you are still on-line to have a look at them!
 
#42 ·
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Theatre Royal 2011 Restoration - Builders Diary Week 6 (w/c 18th April 2011)

1. The important electrical and mechanical work has now begun in the Stalls and Grand Circle – this will ensure all the lighting, air conditioning etc is as effective, authentic and environmentally efficient as possible in our new auditorium!

2. Building work has begun on the back wall of the Stalls – in the new auditorium this will be further back allowing for extra room and a more authentic Matcham layout.

3. The ceiling paintwork is coming along, and the gold leafing above the proscenium arch is looking very impressive! The ceiling of the auditorium has been painted a pale cream, with the detailing in a darker cream.


Week 6 PHOTOS . . .


It's the Bard himself! This detail is from the frieze above the stage . .



The Ceiling above the stage . .



In the Auditorium, before we put the new 'Gold Leaf' on . .



The Gold Leaf is now done, on this area . .



A wider view of that area . .



Another view of the Ceiling . .


Cutting back the Upper Circle . .




Sources . .

1 - Theatre Royal on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Theatre-Royal-Newcastle/17950275842

2 - The Builders Diary: http://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/restoration/building-progress

3 - Rory Gibson's Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gibbo_rory1/

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#43 ·
For week six shot 6, I'm interested to see whether they make those egg shaped roundels on the ceiling cream or gold. I distinctly remember them as gold in 1976 (with the detailing in cream) but they were transposed during one of the restorations, possibly by Clare Ferraby. (I remember visiting in the mid to late 80s and getting shown round by Andy Kent, by then the Chief Electrician. (He was Deputy to Ernie Savage in 1976). When I pointed it out, Andy did a double-take and said that he had never noticed before!)

Newcastle Historian, I have the top left of your four books and even that is ambiguous with the various shots!
 
#44 ·
For week six shot 6, I'm interested to see whether they make those egg shaped roundels on the ceiling cream or gold.



I distinctly remember them as gold in 1976 (with the detailing in cream) but they were transposed during one of the restorations, possibly by Clare Ferraby. (I remember visiting in the mid to late 80s and getting shown round by Andy Kent, by then the Chief Electrician. (He was Deputy to Ernie Savage in 1976). When I pointed it out, Andy did a double-take and said that he had never noticed before!)

Newcastle Historian, I have the top left of your four books and even that is ambiguous with the various shots!

I have searched through books that I have, and the only photos that clearly show the 'roundels' are from the 1980s . . . so are dated after your 1976 observations.

The clearest photo (with enlargement of the ceiling) that I have, is here . . .







That photo seems to confirm the 'cream roundels' with a 'gold surround', but (as said) is a photo from the 1980s.


However, the below photo (though also from the 1980s) is from the book that you have delicolor (top left of the four books in my earlier photo of resources used for this thread) and is shown on the 14th page of that book, with the notation . . "stripped bare and ready for painting".

This would appear to mean that the 1986-1988 renovation re-paintings had NOT YET happened, and though it is in black & white, it does seem to (again) show cream (or 'lighter') roundels, with a darker surround . . .




So, unless someone else on this forum has any other information/clarification, I would suggest you pose a question about this on the Theatre Royal Facebook page, here . . .

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Theatre-Royal-Newcastle/17950275842

I am certain that they would investigate your question and respond to it on their page!
 
#45 ·
My Apologies, I only gave you half the story.

The mystery to me is why they are showing as white in your last photo, as the following photo dated 1979 clearly shows them as gold. (Sorry about the poor image, my scanner is down so it is a snap).

This photo is from "Frank Matcham Theate Architect" published in 1980 and is credited to Brian Mercer Walker.
Now this is how I remember the ceiling from the mid-70s and again circa 1980 once the follow-spots had been moved to a dug-out in the centre of the gallery and a lighting bridge installed at gallery level.

So, the mystery is- did they really re-decorate in the early 1980's, pre the Claire Ferraby big stuff?

I managed to dig out an older auditorium photo which many Geordies will be familiar with as a large version of it was under glass in the Box Office, being used to point out particular seats on offer. This was in a Howard and Wyndham publication dated 1933.



A closer view of the ceiling line shows that the roundels did appear to be gold rather than cream.



It looks like the correct term for that type of Fibrous Plaster detailing is indeed "egg" as Hayles and Howe have "Egg and Dart" cornices. (Go to http://www.haylesandhowe.co.uk and enter "egg" in the search box).

One other subtle observation is that the lime boxes either side of the Dress Circle appear to have decorative panels concealing the oval apertures. Even back in 1975 these two rooms were totally empty plain cubby-holes and the openings were gaping holes like my 2007 photo.

 
#46 ·
Newcastle Historian, if you look back to your post dated November 22nd and look closely at the picture bottom left on page 27, these appear to be "before shots" and the ceiling has golden eggs. (Note that the proscenium is at the top of the photo, if you turn it upside down it makes sense!)

 
#50 ·
The Theatre Royal replied via Facebook.

Hi Ian, the “eggs” in the ceiling will be cream coloured, and will also have the light fittings re-instated in them – about every fifth one originally had a light. The lime boxes are, and will continue to be used for stage lighting, so won’t have doors covering them. Hope that answers your questions but if you have any more please just let us know!
If you look back to the week 6 shot 6, that explains the holes that have been cut in the eggs. I thought they were a bit big for paint core samples!

The new diary is up, no doubt NH will be copying it across soon.
 
#51 ·
Yes, I saw that discussion on Facebook. I noticed that when you said . .

the old box office seating plan from pre 1933 shows the roundels as gold, but they became white by 1988 so I had assumed that Claire Farraby changed them
They didn't actually comment about the fact that the original colour was seemingly gold, not cream, and that they are supposed to be returning things back to the original situation where possible.

Anyway, I'm sure it will look great.

I will be gathering up this weeks photos and then copying them and the Week 7 Diary across shortly.
 
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