Client: York Citizens’ Theatres Trust & York Conservation Trust
Architect: Angus Morrogh-Ryan of De Matos Ryan
Conservation Architect: Ian Smith, W.R. Dunn & Co.
Builder: William Birch & Son
Theatre & Acoustic Consultants: Charcoalblue LLP
Structural Engineers: Price & Myers LLP
Services Engineers: P3r LLP
Cost Consultants: Aecom LLP
Access Consultants: David Bonnett Associates
Heritage Consultant: James Edgar
This hugely complicated project has involved the restoration, reordering and refurbishment of all parts of the theatre. The stalls seating has been reformed and the street arcade glazed in, creating a large foyer with a more welcoming ticket desk; Patrick Gwynne’s remarkable 1960’s side extension has been comprehensively overhauled with an entirely new block of services and lifts at the back; the under-stage has been excavated to provide a greatly improved accommodation for musicians, actors and stage staff – and revealing a mediaeval well that called for the detailed attention of archaeologists; the Victorian Gothic stonework (some of it now revealed inside the ladies loos) has been cleaned and restored; thirty different roofs have been repaired or renewed.
The result of all this work is remarkable for the way it links all the disparate parts of the theatre, improves its workings significantly and makes for a very lively and inviting theatrical experience.
