The Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield has launched its A Theatre for Tomorrow Fund ahead of capital redevelopment work.
Primarily focusing on visitor experience and accessibility, the A Theatre For Tomorrow capital project will see the Lawrence Batley Theatre completely renovate its auditorium with brand-new seating to allow for better sight lines, increased comfort, and further accessible seating options. All six dressing rooms will be refreshed and there will be the addition of a brand-new dressing room that will be fully wheelchair accessible – allowing the theatre to programme a more diverse range of artists. To enhance its participatory offer, the theatre will look to transform a disused space into a dedicated participation area so that the team can offer a broader range of off-stage activities to its community alongside its current provision. Much of the theatre’s technical equipment will also be updated to make the venue more environmentally sustainable.
Henry Filloux-Bennett, Chief Executive & Artistic Director of the Lawrence Batley Theatre comments, “I am utterly thrilled to have launched our A Theatre For Tomorrow campaign. The Lawrence Batley Theatre has been at the heart of its community for over 25 years and as we look ahead to the next 25 years, improving the experience for our community is of the utmost importance to us.”
The project follows a successful 2019 bid to Arts Council England where the Lawrence Batley Theatre was awarded a grant of £499,999 to help the theatre go through a series of much-needed renovations. This work has been delayed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It has been announced today that the theatre will close in June 2021 to complete the work.
As a venue built by and for the community, all of the redevelopment work will improve visitor experience and help open up the theatre to be a more inclusive hub. It will be the first time in the theatre’s 26-year history that it will undergo major renovation work. The renovations are set to take place from Mid-June to Early-September with the theatre reopening with a series of celebratory events.
Arts Council England and Kirklees Council have already pledged money to the project but the Lawrence Batley Theatre will need to raise an additional £50,000 to complete the work.
For more information, visit thelbt.org.
