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 Royal Opera House Redevelopment |
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Royal Opera House Development News 1 Here is the text from the bookmark that was given out with programmes in July 1996. A second Development News was given out later, but it mainly concentrated on the Archeological findings that were being made - of not much interest to balletomanes The redevelopment of the Royal Opera House is finally underway ~ preserving the past and building for the future. The long-awaited refurbishment and extension will be financed by a substantial grant from the Arts Council of England's National Lottery Fund, for which we are most grateful, an Appeal (to be launched in the autumn) and commercial development on the perimeter of the site. Work has begun to the south of the Royal Opera House, and over the next few months an archaeological dig will be carried out by the Museum of London, to be followed by the excavation of basements and laying of foundations. A significant amount of construction will be completed even before the Royal Opera House closes for two years from summer 1997. The redevelopment is essential. Without it the Royal Opera House would be closed on safety grounds alone. A major maintenance programme is required simply to P reserve the fabric of the Grade I listed building for the 2lst century. But there will be more. There are five important objectives. More seats and more performances. It is proposed to add about 100 seats to the Amphitheatre, predominantly at low prices, and increase the number of performances (especially matinees) through more efficient technical facilities. This will provide over 100,000 extra seats each Season. In addition - importantly - there will be improved facilities for people with disabilities, including ramps and lifts giving access to all levels of the theatre. There will be a second auditorium (Studio Theatre) seating over 400, which will be available for small-scale opera and ballet productions, The Friends of Covent Garden, educational and community events, and orchestra rehearsals. Restoration and refurbishment. Apart from essential work to meet new EC regulations, the principal benefits you will see (and enjoy) are the provision of air-conditioning, enhanced sightlines from many seats, extensive restoration of the listed Victorian interior, and improved cloakroom, box office, refreshment, shopping and information facilities.
New foyers and the Floral Hall. The refurbishment of the Grade II listed Floral Hall, currently a scenery store, will provide a magnificent new front-of house foyer with restaurant facilities. The plans include the renovation of the Victorian ironwork and replacement of the original barrel-vault roof. It, too, will be air-conditioned. There will be a new bar and foyer at Amphitheatre level with access to terraces overlooking the Piazza.
New mechanical scenery storage and handling facilities backstage will equip the theatre for the 21st century and not only meet the new safety standards, but also enhance the Companies' abilities to present performances of the highest quality. The greatest benefit of this mechanization will be to make the stage more available, thereby increasing the number of performances. A home for The Royal Ballet in Covent Garden. Central to the redevelopment scheme is the move of The Royal Ballet from Baron's Court to Covent Garden, giving the Company its first permanent home. The full use of the 1982 extension and three further ballet studios will enable the Company to increase the number of performances and present more new work. One of the new studios will be able to seat an audience of up to 200 for choreographic workshops and
educational events.
The Development project is being undertaken to preserve this historic theatre for future generations and to secure the Royal Opera House for two great Companies and the audiences of today and tomorrow. If you love opera and ballet, and you wish them to continue to flourish at the Royal Opera House to the highest standards, please give us your support. This bookmark is the first in a series which over the forthcoming months will give you more details about the Development and our Appeal. For further information please contact Madeleine Watson on 0171-212 9518 |
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