Theatre Royal Restoration | Newcastle | Completed

[delicolor]

Originally Posted by Steve Ellwood

The finished article - taken on 17th September 2011.

Now starting to think that the trees from the Grey Street Garden look out of place in front of the Theatre Royal but hopefully they are coming to the end of their tenure.

What do those two green signs say at the bases of the two central columns? I can't quite make them out. They are similar in style to the "temporary box office" signs on the coffee shop/70s Box office area though.

[Steve Ellwood]

Originally Posted by delicolor

What do those two green signs say at the bases of the two central columns? I can't quite make them out. They are similar in style to the "temporary box office" signs on the coffee shop/70s Box office area though.

Yes

[Adrian_Swall]

Did they have to apply for planning permission to attach those signs to a Grade 1 listed building!

[alf stone]

I love the Theatre Royal and I am very impressed with the photographs of the interior but I will only be satisfied when my theatrical correspondent (my granddaughter) reports back. She is going to the first night of the Sound of Music on Tuesday and her opinion will be pivotal, after all look at who her mentor was.

[delicolor]

It is a little sad that after all the anticipation and build-up of the renovation, the thread has now fallen a bit flat.

Revitalising a theme from way back at post #77

Originally Posted by Newcastle Historian

In the earlier part of this thread, we covered the previous two recent big renovations (1986/88 and 2006/07) and while doing research for those I came across a fair few old Theatre Royal Programmes, and the ones I have from the 1970s and early 1980s all had one thing in common.

No matter what the show, the outside cover of the programme always consisted of (what I consider to be) the most beautiful old painting of the theatre that I have seen.

Worth a look . . .

I unearthed two programme covers, the top one from 1967, the bottom one from 1973.





.

[Newcastle Historian]

Originally Posted by delicolor

It is a little sad that after all the anticipation and build-up of the renovation, the thread has now fallen a bit flat.

I suppose it is a 'Project Thread' and the project is now complete . . . but I am sure we can continue to keep the thread alive, if enough of us want to!!


Me and a few of the family are going to this show on the 'last night', the 8th October . .

Sound of Music opens at refurbished Theatre Royal
by Sarah Scott, The Journal, September 21st 2011


Verity Rushworth, Maria in The Sound of Music, skipping down Grey Street with the rest of the Von Trapp family.

THE STREETS were indeed alive with the sound of music yesterday, as the Von Trapp family made their arrival in Newcastle. Holding hands as they skipped down the street outside the Theatre Royal, the stars of The Sound of Music said they were delighted to be performing in the North East.

The show opened at the newly refurbished Theatre Royal last night with Emmerdale’s Verity Rushworth taking on the lead role of Maria. Verity, 26, is probably best known as playing Donna Windsor in the ITV soap for 11 years.

She said she was excited to be back in Newcastle after previously filming scenes in the city for the Soap, Emmerdale.

“I have never performed at the theatre here but I have a lot of friends here and we filmed a lot when Marlon proposed to Donna in Newcastle, we had a crazy time.

“It is nice to be in the theatre because it has just been refurbished and it looks gorgeous,” said Verity who has been playing the role of Maria since February.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz1YbY8Awiu


This photo is from the 'hard copy' of the front page of this mornings Journal . .


.

[delicolor]

I was hoping to get to the City Varieties tomorrow but the show has been cancelled. Another chance on Monday though!

I'm hoping that the carpet isn't as in your face as Rory's HDR photos...

[alf stone]

My theatrical correspondent has reported back and she was very impressed with the the Sound of Music. She loved the renovations too but was a bit disappointed to find a number of what she described as insect bites to her lower legs after the performance. The show was also marred by an elderly lady falling down the steps in the upper circle at the end of the interval which delayed the second half of the show as she had to be carried to the doors for treatment from paramedics. Perhaps not the sort of start they had hoped for.

[GBDT]

Originally Posted by Adrian_Swall

Did they have to apply for planning permission to attach those signs to a Grade 1 listed building!

Adrian,

passed by the theatre yesterday, the signs are not fixed to the columns, i.e. screwed, but are strapped to the base. They don't look brilliant bat as they are temporary I can live with that.

image hosted on flickr

Image from my Flickr account

Cheers
GBDT

[delicolor]

I just went to use my scanner and noticed the back cover of the 1967 Playbill.



Cue righteous indignation!

[delicolor]

I visited the Leeds City Varieties on Monday. I was surprised to see that it too has had the Sunburner treatment- one big one in the centre of the hall and two smaller ones near the stage.

I wasn't really able to take a picture of them as it was too full, but the "Pub Landlord" invited us to take a snap before putting our cameras away so here are the new Tableau Curtains and Pelmet.



The LED house lighting was attractive but faded out a bit too abruptly at the bottom end and came back up too blue initially on the 2nd (Box front) circuit.

[Steve Ellwood]

Originally Posted by Steve Ellwood

I see that Gusto UK Ltd have submitted a Planning Application to NCC for use of the plinth in front of the portico for a pavement cafe and also for a small section on Shakespeare Street.

Details @ http://planningapplications.newcastl...=LOMYKVBS09700

2011/1153/01/DET | Change of use of parts of public highway (Sui Generis) to pavement cafes (Class A3) | Pavement To Front Of Theatre Royal And Pavement To Side Onto Shakespeare Street 100 Grey Street Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6BR

I see this PA has been granted - http://planningapplications.newcastl...=LOMYKVBS09700

The cafe seating area on the plinth as been agreed but the small seating area in Shakespeare Street was withdrawn.

[Al Reetson]

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned before - or if it's even the right thread - but this is quite interesting:

A NEW ERA FOR CUISINE AT THEATRE ROYAL

Geordie-Italians Aldo, Cristina and Joseph De Giorgi have taken over the running of the bars and café in our newly restored Theatre Royal. They already have a strong following in the city garnered from the portfolio of hugely popular bars and restaurants they have established here including Don Vito’s, Secco, Paradiso, Popolo, Intermezzo and Alvinos.

PASQUALINOS
A contemporary Italian Bar-Restaurant where the emphasis will be on fresh antipasti and snacks, dinner deals for theatre goers, bio-dynamic wines and local beers on tap. Open from 11.00am til midnight, Mon-Sat (open Sundays when there are performances).

9 BAR COFFEE (opening soon)
A continental pavement café serving home-made Italian pastries and specialising in an innovative and UK-first coffee concept.
Pre-theatre Dining at PASQUALINOS
Pre-theatre meal deal
5.30pm (5pm for 7pm performances)
Pre-matinee Lunch sittings at 12pm and 12.30pm.
2 courses for £12.50 (£10 for Friends)
(Groups: £1 off per person for pre booked groups of 10; £1.50 off pp for 20+)

Theatre Royal

[delicolor]

Using archive photography to develop accurate recreations of the light fittings that were installed at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle in the early 20th Century, Dernier & Hamlyn recently recreated a sunburner for the auditorium of the Theatre Royal in Newcastle.
Retaining all the beauty of the original fitting, whilst taking advantage of the latest lighting technology, the sunburner was manufactured at Dernier & Hamlyn’s South London factory alongside a further 150 fittings for the theatre. Dernier & Hamlyn’s work included ceiling lights in the main auditorium made in cast brass and featuring leaf patterns as well as fifty wall lights for the main foyer and staircase and chandeliers that have been fitted throughout the building formed using cast brass and handblown glass.
The original sunburner was installed in 1901 at the Theatre Royal as part of celebrated theatre architect Frank Matcham’s classic Edwardian design, and used gas lighting. The magnificent new light uses a combination of fibre optics and colour-changeable LED’s that can be altered to suit the required mood. In addition, the ceramic bowls that sat above the gaslights have been replaced by white sprayed metal castings to reduce the weight of the fitting and its cost, both important factors for public buildings today.
Chief Executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal Philip Bernays comments: “The new sunburner looks splendid and is a very important part of the successful restoration project that has been achieved. “
Dernier & Hamlyn worked in partnership on this project with historic theatre consultants TheatreSearch and used archive photography of the original fittings to recreate both the sunburner and other decorative lighting throughout the theatre.
Theatresearch Managing Director David Wilmore comments: “We chose Dernier & Hamlyn for this project because of their reputation for painstaking work to recreate historic light fittings and are delighted with the results.”
The Theatre Royal is one of only nine Grade 1 Listed theatres in England and is regarded by many as the UK’s finest theatre building.
Over 173 years it has been renovated many times, and following a major fire after a performance of Macbeth in 1899, the entire auditorium was re-designed by one of the world’s greatest theatre architects, Frank Matcham.
Between March and September 2011 a major restoration project to recreate Matcham’s classic 1901 Edwardian design took place. This £4.9m project also introduced the highest modern standards of comfort and improved energy and carbon efficiency. In the auditorium new seating has been installed at all levels as well as new lighting and ventilation, major renovations to fabrics, carpets and paintwork and extensive gold-leaf work.

Source: Press Release

[delicolor]

I heard an amusing story today- it seems that the Newcastle Sunburner was inadvertently delivered to Leeds and vica versa, causing much confusion for the builders when it didn't fit!

[delicolor]

Just saw this in the paper version of L&Si, an entertainment technology magazine:

Charcoalblue in Theatre Royal restoration

The theatre will celebrate its 175th birthday in 2012
UK - Newcastle's Theatre Royal reopened its doors to the public on Monday 12 September following an extensive £5m restoration project. The complex renovation drew on the theatrical expertise of UK theatre consultants, Charcoalblue.
Charcoalblue began work on the refurbishment project in September 2009. Managing director of the company Andy Hayles explains, "The scope of the restoration for this Grade I listed theatre was particularly ambitious, and included complete internal redecoration, new seating, new and refurbished pit lifts, new lighting positions and extensive rewiring. Charcoalblue was responsible for the design of all the technical systems and their integration within the historic fabric of the building, as well as advising on sightlines and seating layouts."
The works, which restored the original 1901 designs by theatre architect Frank Matcham in the auditorium and foyers, involved stripping out the whole interior, whilst the original plasterwork was carefully preserved and later renovated.
Gavin Green, Charcoalblue's head of theatre design, explains, "Having designed and managed the refurbishment of the theatre flytower in 2007, 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."
Jon Woodley, project manager for Charcoalblue elaborates, "All the seats, carpets, technical equipment and 1970s foyer doors and kiosk were removed. The proscenium arch, tiers and boxes have been gold-leafed and at all levels the seating has been replaced with Edwardian-style theatre seats. New frescos for the lobby and upper circle have been commissioned and the amphitheatre, which was removed during previous renovations, has been reinstated. The stage lift and orchestra pit have been replaced and now both opera and musicals will benefit from vastly improved facilities."
In addition a new ventilation system has been installed, greatly enhancing the comfort levels in the auditorium, and energy and carbon efficiencies have also been massively improved.
Philip Bernays, chief executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal, noted that it had been a real labour of love for all those involved: "No expense has been spared on the creation of authentic decorative touches. We haven't skimped in any way - we've sought out the best craftsmen from across Britain and Europe, and in some cases the original Victorian manufacturers are still going."
Woodley agrees, "The Newcastle Theatre Royal refurbishment has been an exciting and challenging project that has utilised the full range of Charcoalblue's skills and knowledge. We have installed the latest entertainment technology into a beautiful, historic theatre in a highly sensitive manner. Throughout the process we've ensured that the fabric of this historically important and beautiful building is preserved, whilst introducing 21st-century technology to ensure that it also remains one of the top regional theatres in the UK."

Story online here: also, a brief article about the technical infrastructure.

[Adrian_Swall]

Couple of shots taken today the 5th of November with the pantomime season nearly on us. Oh no it isn't!

[Newcastle Historian]

Oh yes they are a couple of great photos Adrian, and what an amazing story (which I had not heard anything about) this is delicolor . . .

Originally Posted by delicolor

I heard an amusing story today- it seems that the Newcastle Sunburner was inadvertently delivered to Leeds and vica versa, causing much confusion for the builders when it didn't fit!

[Steve Ellwood]

Originally Posted by Adrian_Swall

Couple of shots taken today the 5th of November with the pantomime season nearly on us. Oh no it isn't!



]

Planning Permission?

[delicolor]

Originally Posted by Steve Ellwood

Planning Permission?

I doubt it- temporary and not structural.

You should see what Leeds Town hall looks like at the moment.