THESE images show how works are progressing on Coventry’s historic Belgrade Theatre restoration to its original 1950s design.
At the end of March, Coventry City Council gave the go-ahead to the theatre’s three-phase renovation in time for UK City of Culture 2021 – amid ‘increasing financial pressure’.
Phase one involves refurbishment of its foyers and main stage auditorium, part of the original 1958 building.
Theatre bosses hope the main stage auditorium will reopen in September in time for the new season.
Project director Jason Fretter of Tandem Projects is overseeing the work on the auditorium and foyers this summer, as well as the transformation of the café bar in 2020.
He says much of the work has focused on maintaining the theatre’s original Grade-II listed building’s 1950s design.
“If we’ve done our job well, people will at first glance notice nothing. It should look on the whole exactly like it did when it closed,” he said.
“Essentially, the theatre should look much as it did on opening night in the late 1950s only better.
“You might think that ‘freshening up’ the existing furnishings would be straightforward but, in practice, there are many unique challenges to working on a listed building, as the construction team can attest.”
The early works have involved refurbishing the main auditorium’s flooring, upholstery, painting, the electrics and revamping the orchestra pit.
The theatre says that over time the adaptations to lighting and electrical systems will help to reduce energy consumption.
Phase two will be the linking up of the ground floor café and first-floor Burbidge Room to create a flexible, combined space for eating, drinking and socialising.
The third and final phase of the project will be the transformation of the nearby Jaguar building into a multi-functional ‘creative talent hub’.
To donate to the theatre, or for more information about the project, visit the theatre’s website.
