The Theater Royal Drury Lane after its historic restoration
After a period of seven years of meticulous research, conservation study, analysis, design and commissioning of a restoration unprecedented by the British architecture firm Haworth Tompkins, the Theater Royal Drury Lane has reopened its doors.
Although the start of its construction by Benjamin Dean Wyatt dates from 1812, he is considered one of the oldest theaters in london because it occupies the place in the street Drury Lane which, from 1663 to 1672, was the seat of a theater erected by order of King Charles II. This building was destroyed due to a fire, until they finally decided to raise the foundations again at the beginning of the 19th century.
Keeping its history in mind, this restoration has sought to condense the mystique of this british theater and, for this, from LW Theaters , Madeleine's company and Andrew Lloyd Webber –British producer, impresario and composer– turned to Haworth Tompkins. started a restoration project of 60 million pounds.
Haworth Tompkins carried out the restoration of the Theater Royal Drury Lane
Andrew and Madeleine we were asked to join a conversation about the future of theater in a changing world: how could it become a more active part of Covent Garden's public life? How could it become more attractive and relevant to all filmmakers? contemporary theater ? How could we celebrate and make visible the amazing history and importance of theatres? How could the theater ensure its commercial survival in a highly competitive field? Steve Tomkins , director of Haworth Tompkins , in an interview via email with Traveler.es
One understood how he wanted to do the remodeling , the architects of Haworth Tompkins carried out a conservation study to identify the most precious parts of the building and then worked on a restoration plan and adequacy. Obtaining a wide range of expert opinions, they developed, together with other specialists, a design scheme that was completed in seven years.
Since the theater had had different interventions throughout history, including an inserted auditorium from 1920, its condition was not at all alarming, although "alterations had obscured the beauty of Georgian architecture all along the front" , in addition to the fact that their main purpose was to work on the theatrical appeal of the relationship between the audience and the artists. "Our job was to fix these problems and bring theater into the 21st century without losing its historic charm," he adds.
"Bringing theater into the 21st century" was the main objective
Another of the central parts of the project aimed to restore the halls and the Wyatt's ladder , possibly the most impressive Georgian sequence of indoor public spaces in existence.
The installation of new furniture was in the hands of AWI interiors , while Andrew Lloyd Webber has personally commissioned new paintings and murals to complement the halls with a new style of historical paintings, drawings and posters.
It should also be noted that, for the first time in almost a century, the auditorium can be accessed directly from street level without having to go through the basement. And, a new elevator, along with a fully accessible circulation at each level, it ensures that visitors can now experience the grandeur of the architecture, not forgetting that the Vinegar Yard side lane has returned to the public realm as a lively cafe and bar space.
The theater offers a lively cafe and bar space
Although the theater is listed as Grade 1, the most protected status that does not allow substantial changes to the buildings of United Kingdom , managed to "remove layers of accumulations after 1812".
For its part, Haworth Tompkins partnered with theater consultant Charcoalblue to greatly improve sightlines, subtly adjusting the geometry of the room to hug the stage more closely. The redecorated auditorium has been completely relocated and technically refitted to make it possible organize theater in unconventional formats for specific productions.
With a major technical renovation of the stage, a huge increase in the provision of restrooms and a complete renovation of the dressing rooms, the entire building has been restored and upgraded to an unmistakable elegance and refinement.
What can you currently see if you travel to London and visit the Theater Royal Drury Lane ? The musical of Frozen, a show that debuts the renovations conceived by Haworth Tompkins.
Theater Royal Drury Lane in London