Donmar Warehouse has re-opened the doors of its auditorium and public spaces after the completion of essential building works.
The works have replaced key infrastructure within the building, significantly improving its reliability and accessibility for audiences, artists and staff. The architect for the project is Haworth Tompkins.
- Formerly used as a hop warehouse, a rehearsal studio and a banana ripening depot, the building was first converted into a theatre in the 1970s, and became the Donmar Warehouse in the 1990s
- There has been a spatial reconfiguration of the old venue, which had several iterations since its conversion to a theatre. This has involved opening up the spaces to improve the flow for audiences, and increase natural light across the venue
- Material approach has focused on exposing the original warehouse aesthetic, bringing out details like the vaulted brick ceilings and cast iron columns
- Replacement of essential mechanical and electrical systems past the end of their economic life including wholescale replacement of the rooftop plant
- Accessibility improvements including street level access and ramp, and new lift with wider door access
- Redesigned front of house spaces with increased accessibility and facilities, including extra toilets and the introduction of a café
- The lift features a unique mural, designed by Donmar Warehouse Associate Artist Tom Scutt with Anya Allin
- Refurbished seats in the auditorium
Artistic Director of Donmar Warehouse, Michael Longhurst said today, “We are thrilled to be reopening our building this month after this period of enforced closure due to Covid, followed by building works. These renovations have been long in the planning, and adapted following the impact of the pandemic but I’m so pleased that we have managed to achieve something so positive in very challenging circumstances. We are grateful to the funders and supporters whose generosity have enabled us to create a more welcoming, accessible theatre that is now future proofed with state of the art ventilation and electrical systems. I cannot wait to see audiences and artists using our new spaces and gathering together to create and witness fantastic theatre, starting with our opening production of Cordelia Lynn’s Love and Other Acts of Violence – see you there!”
