̽»¨Ö±²¥

̽»¨Ö±²¥project will now go through to a national final. ̽»¨Ö±²¥prestigious LABC Awards recognise building quality and standards through the whole design and build process.

̽»¨Ö±²¥final stage of the ADC's £2 million redevelopment, which was completed in October 2008, involved the replacement of the auditorium seating, the construction of a new rehearsal room and the refurbishment of the backstage areas of the theatre. A platform lift was also installed, which has provided disabled access to stage for the first time in the theatre's history.

Previous phases of work have shown dramatic improvements in the front of house areas of the theatre, with the foyer being enlarged and refurbished, a lift installed to the bar and auditorium and a second corridor being built alongside the auditorium to improve audience circulation before and after shows, and during the interval.

̽»¨Ö±²¥lead architect for the project was Barry Brown of Cambridge's Bland, Brown and Cole Architects. ̽»¨Ö±²¥construction work was carried out by Marriott Construction, a division of Kier Group, and was managed by the ̽»¨Ö±²¥ of Cambridge's Estate Management.

̽»¨Ö±²¥theatre, which is run by the ̽»¨Ö±²¥ of Cambridge, is the oldest student playhouse in the United Kingdom, having been in operation since 1855. Little was done to the fabric of the building between 1935, when the theatre was rebuilt following a disastrous fire, and 2003, when the first stage of the recent building work commenced.

̽»¨Ö±²¥theatre was able to continue operating through most of the rebuilding process, as the construction work was largely scheduled into the ̽»¨Ö±²¥ summer vacations. Only twice did the theatre close its doors to public performances, for one six month period in 2004 and a further six month period in 2008.

̽»¨Ö±²¥theatre was officially reopened in March by HRH ̽»¨Ö±²¥Earl of Wessex, Patron of the ADC Theatre Appeal Committee, prior to a performance to celebrate the 800th Anniversary of the ̽»¨Ö±²¥ of Cambridge. ̽»¨Ö±²¥performance featured contributions from ADC alumni Griff Rhys Jones, Germaine Greer, Richard Stilgoe and Sir Trevor Nunn.

Theatre Manager James Baggaley said: "We're delighted that the work of the design and project team behind the ADC's recent redevelopment project has been recognised by the LABC. ̽»¨Ö±²¥users of the building are thrilled with the new rehearsal space and backstage facilities, and our audiences love the new auditorium seating."

Architect: Barry Brown, for Bland, Brown and Cole Architects
Contractor: Marriott Construction
Quantity Surveyor: Davis Langdon LLP
Structural Consultants: Andrew Firebrace Partnership Services Consultants: Roger Parker Associates Auditorium Seating designed and installed by Race Furniture Ltd.
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