Creating a world-class studio theatre and cinema

The Henry Travers studio will undergo significant renovations over the next five weeks - find out more below.

Press Release: £78k for ‘world class’ theatre & cinema at The Maltings, Berwick

The Maltings Theatre’s management announced today that a ‘world-class’ theatre and cinema studio will be completed and open at the theatre by 6 April this year.

The announcement follows the decision by the LEADER Coast and Lowlands Funding programme to award the project some £78,000, the full amount for which the theatre applied, which will be partially matched by The Maltings using funding raised by the Friends of the Maltings.

The design for the new studio includes retractable seating.

The redevelopment will see the existing Henry Travers Studio transformed into a state of the art 'black box' studio theatre and cinema, with a new Harlequin-made floor, retractable seating, new lighting and sound rig, new black-out curtains, and a new projector and screen.

This will mean the studio can be used for around 90 additional small- to mid-scale touring music, theatre and dance performances, as well as digital cinema screenings. It will also enhance the facilities available to the many local groups who use the space.

The new flooring will eliminate around 70% of the noise transference which has historically meant that the studio and the main house theatre cannot be used simultaneously.

The addition of retractable seating will mean the studio will present around 100 additional film screenings each year, consolidating The Maltings position as one of the North East's leading independent cinemas.

The current Henry Travers Studio space.

'The creation of a new performance and cinema space like this will result in The Maltings becoming one of the best equipped mid-scale theatres in the north of England,' said Chief Executive and Artistic Director Dr Miles Gregory, 'and we are extremely grateful to the LEADER fund for supporting  this exciting development which will change the way this theatre works forever.’

Attendance by the public at events in the studio is predicted to generate an additional £250,000 for the local economy, with the studio expected to attract attendances of around 8,800 in its first full year of operations. The project is fully supported by Northumberland County Council and Arts Council England, both of whom give regular annual funding to The Maltings.

Alison Clark-Jenkins, Regional Director, Arts Council England said, ‘This is excellent news for the Maltings. This investment will create a modern, purpose built performance space increasing the opportunities for the people of Berwick to experience great art.'

Ends

For further information contact:

Tamiko Mackie on 01289 330661 x 3 / tamiko.mackie[at]maltingsberwick.co.uk or Miles Gregory on 01289 330 661 x 7 / miles.gregory[at]maltingsberwick.co.uk

Full information on The Maltings Theatre & Cinema: maltingsberwick.co.uk

Download a copy of the annual report & accounts: http://www.maltingsberwick.co.uk/annual-report

The new Henry Travers Studio - a world-class space

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