Conservation and restoration of significant theatre

The most spectacular intervention is the extension of the full-width Dress Circle balcony 3.7m towards the stage — a feat of engineering ingenuity by Irwinconsult. Below the auditorium is the Plaza Ballroom, once also a cinema and equally extravagantly decorated. This configuration posed one of the biggest challenges to the recent works: how to support the construction loading during installation of the truss for the Dress Circle extension without the use of props in the operational ballroom below.

The floor of the stalls area has been re-raked for better sightlines, new seating installed throughout in revised configurations, and two bars opened up in the auditorium at the rear of the stalls. Three seating capacity options are now possible.

The very large segmented-curve three-dimensional steel truss forms the new forward edge of the balcony, now completely disguised by the reinstated balcony-front panels and Venetian plasterwork to the soffit. It is supported on new concrete piers set into the brick side walls, behind restored wall treatments. A working platform was built in the auditorium, designed to carry the 4 tonne weight of each 3.4m truss segments during installation, spreading the load and protecting the ballroom.

Further interventions include: installation of lighting rigs in the auditorium, replacement of carpets to match the 1947 design, new stair nosings and handrails throughout, upgrades to foyer bars, reconfiguration and refurbishment of lower-ground women’s toilets, and new entry display cases. Works were completed in a six-month possession to an unmoveable deadline by main contractor, Icon Construction.