Renovation to give theatre 'new lease of life'

Renovation work at Bradford Playhouse will give the 1930s-built venue a "new lease of life", according to its director.

The 260-capacity auditorium is undergoing its first facelift since it was damaged in a fire in 1996, with work set to finish in July.

The work is being supported by £280,000 of Bradford City of Culture 2025 investment and will have a "jam-packed" calendar for the second half of the year.

Director Megan Wilson said she hoped the improvements allow the theatre could cater for the people of Bradford for "another 100 years".

The renovation will include a new façade, seating and toilets, as well as lifts to make the theatre more accessible.

"It will just give us a new lease of life," Ms Wilson said.

"We want to be as accessible as possible and we appreciate that doesn't just mean people with mobility issues, but that has been one of our biggest sticking points."

Following the work, there will be two wheelchair-assessable seats with two companion seats at the theatre in the Little Germany area of the city.

Ms Wilson added: "We haven't had any step free access up until now, so we're really excited that that's something we can do.

"It's something we've been working towards since I've been working here."

She said: "Because the building has so many stairs, because it is a 1930s theatre, it has been tricky to get this up and running.

"Little Germany is an historical area so we had to be careful with planning."

Work had been due to start last year and finish in January but Ms Wilson said it had been postponed due to delays in getting planning applications approved.

Bradford Playhouse attracts between 13,000 and 15,000 visitors each year, and Ms Wilson said she hoped the project would continue to bring people in to the venue in the future.

"It's a real legacy project for 2025," she said.

"We have been catering for the arts of Bradford for nearly 100 years and hopefully this accessible input will mean we can do another 100 years for the people of Bradford.

"It's not so much about footfall, it's about impact and making sure we represent as many people as we possibly can and bring as many people as we possibly can together."

Dan Bates, executive director of Bradford 2025, said: "At the heart of UK City of Culture lies a vision to create enduring cultural impact across our district that resonates well beyond 2025, one that enriches future generations and makes sure that culture is something everyone can enjoy and be part of.

"We are proud to have supported a cherished institution like Bradford Playhouse to improve its access and facilities for artists and audiences alike."

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