The Tricycle Theatre in north London is planning a £5.5m revamp to transform the theatre auditorium and front of house spaces.
Work is scheduled to start this summer following an Arts Council England contribution of £3.1 million to the scheme with a public campaign to raise additional funds set to be announced in due course.
Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham said: “This vital upgrade will help us to secure The Tricycle’s future and enable us to realise our ambitious vision by ensuring our venue is truly accessible and open to all. We are hugely excited about this and are deeply grateful to all those who have contributed to date.”
The project will increase the size of the auditorium by approximately 25%, and quadruple the number of permanent wheelchair accessible seats in the auditorium from 2 to 8.
The new seating will be fully adaptable to allow for various staging configurations including in the round, cabaret and traverse.
The project will also create a new café on Kilburn High Road and greatly improved front of house facilities.
Architects ChapmanWaterworth will lead the project.
Architect Greg Chapman said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with the Tricycle Theatre to create a more accessible and welcoming environment. We recognise the Tricycle operates at the highest level and we are proud to be a part of the team that will ensure their refurbished premises match their future aspirations. We believe that when completed, the changes will help ensure the Tricycle continues to be both an integral part of the local cultural fabric of this vibrant community and London as a whole.”
Works will start in the second half of 2016 with completion due in 2017.
