Preparation work is now underway for an exciting new addition to our auditorium.
We are delighted to have commissioned a new painting for our safety curtain, designed by internationally acclaimed theatre designer Tom Piper.
Tom is best known for his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and for co-creating the celebrated Tower of London poppies installation. He read History of Art at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he first began designing for the stage as a student, and has since built a distinguished career in theatre, opera and large-scale public art projects.
Our current safety curtain has been in place for nearly 30 years and, as part of the wider redevelopment of the Theatre, we felt this was the perfect moment to reimagine this space in our auditorium and commission a new work of art.
The traditional safety curtain serves an important role in any theatre. Positioned between the stage and auditorium, it provides a vital fire safety barrier and is lowered during intervals and whenever the stage is not in use.
Over the coming weeks, the curtain will be carefully cleaned and prepared ready for painting. Tom's design will celebrate the Theatre's character and become a striking new feature within the auditorium.
We know that, for a little while, the curtain may not look its best as it undergoes careful cleaning and preparation, but bear with us, the final result is going to be truly stunning, and we cannot wait to reveal it later this summer.
We will be sharing updates throughout the process, including behind-the-scenes glimpses of the work and the creation of the artwork itself.