Significant refurbishment works planned for The Albany this summer
Theatre news
THIS summer, the Albany will be undertaking significant refurbishment works on their Elizabethan courtyard inspired theatre, thanks to an Arts Council England small capital grant. The works will improve flexibility of use and configurations in the theatre, and comfort and accessibility for artists and audiences.
The building will remain open throughout the works and the Albany’s outdoor programme – as part of Circulate, which showcases the best in outdoor arts at outer London arts venues – will run over the summer months as will their innovative participatory programme.
The works will take place over 12 weeks from June 13, 2016.
The Albany are working with Sterling Prize-winning Witherford Watson Mann Architects on the project largely thanks to a grant of just under £437,135 from Arts Council England.
The works are the first major refurbishment since the building reopened in 2001. As well as making the theatre look better after many years of use, it will make it work better for everyone – from allowing more efficient turn-around between shows to improved sightlines for audiences. It will also improve accessibility for people with physical disabilities.
The refurbishment will maintain and enhance the flexibility and aesthetic heart of the space whilst allowing it to work better for audiences and artists. Gains in efficiency around equipment will also help make the Albany even more environmentally and economically sustainable.
This project precedes a wider programme of investment in and development of the Albany site. Through the development masterplan, the aim is to maximise the Albany’s potential as an outstanding resource of benefit to all in Deptford, and beyond.
Forthcoming productions at The Albany: Play Dough, a playfully interactive show about the value of money for ages 7+ (February 16 and 17); tiata fahodzi’s i know all the secrets in my world (March 3 and 4); and Lorraine Hansberry’s groundbreaking play A Raisin in the Sun (March 16 to March 19, 2016).