The Old Vic Theatre announces plans to annex a new arts space
As part of the venue's mass redevelopment project, London's Old Vic Theatre has announced today its ambitious plans to annex a new arts space for fostering both young and marginalised talents. The Old Vic's expansion project follows recent renovation trends in London Theatreland.
The Queen's Theatre recently announced its upcoming restoration project that involves repairing damage caused by WWII bombing and renaming the venue the Sondheim Theatre for the grand reopening of Les Miserables. The Theatre Royal Drury Lane is also now closed for a £45 refurbishment and will reopen in autumn 2020 with the highly-anticipated West End transfer of Frozen The Musical.
Pictured: The Old Vic's plans for 'The Annex', a new arts space as part of the theatre's planned expansion
The Old Vic Theatre to annex new arts space by 2022
The new art hub, set to be delivered to The Old Vic by 2022, will feature a Clore Learning Centre in which schools and universities will be able to stage their own theatrical performances, thereby allowing fresh new talents to gain a footing and exposure within the entertainment industry.
The space set to be annexed, dubbed simply The Annex, is currently undergoing renovations in the women's loos. The next stage of works will be the £12 million annex itself. The London boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth are each expected to contribute approximately £3.75 million towards the project in special partnership with the 201-year-old theatre. The two boroughs will meet on both the 16th and 22nd of July to discuss the proposed loans with The Old Vic, who will turn resort to a massive fundraising campaign to pay back the loan within a 10-year period.
Kate Varah, Executive Director of the Old Vic Theatre, called The Annex a 'once in a generation opportunity.' She ensured The Old Vic would financially sustain itself considering the unwavering value it holds within social engagement, going on to state that The Old Vic and The Annex is meant to be a 'civic resource' and an important space for cultural development where everyone is welcome to take part.
Don't miss these shows for Season 5 at The Old Vic!
The Old Vic Theatre is about to kick off its fifth season with Matthew Warchus as Artistic Director with the premiere of Lucy Prebble's A Very Expensive Poison. The star-studded season will also feature big-name celebrities, including Daniel Radcliffe and Alan Cumming in Samuel Beckett's Endgame double bill and the highly-anticipated reunion of The Crown co-stars Matt Smith and Claire Foy in Duncan Macmillan's Lungs.
Get your tickets to The Old Vic Season 5 today!
🎟 Book A Very Expensive Poison tickets from £24.
🎟 Book Lungs Old Vic Theatre tickets, limited availability.
🎟 Book Matthew Warchus' A Christmas Carol from £24.
🎟 Book Endgame / Rough For Theatre II tickets from £24.
🎟 Book Local Hero Old Vic Theatre tickets from £36.