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Swindon
Borough Council has ploughed £665,000 of funding into the
project which is designed to increase the profile of the venue in
the South West.
The
building, which has been closed since June will boast a new courtyard
approach and glass entrance atrium, improved access to the theatre
via a customer lift and a new ticket office. Other improvements
will include extra toilet facilities, and a second lift backstage.
Arts
Centre Manager, Clarry Bean, explained the thinking behind some
of the improvements.
He
said: "The theatre has always been difficult to get up to, with
that steep flight of stairs leading to the theatre for customers,
and an equally difficult approach up an external fire escape for
performers and equipment.
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The
new foyer at the Arts Centre
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"It
has long been our dream to improve access like this and, coupled
with a dramatically improved entrance, the Arts Centre is being
transformed."
The
venue has also benefited from the Southern and South East Arts Regional
Arts Lottery Programme, with a successful bid for £50,000.
Roughly
half the money is being used to upgrade lighting onstage, in the
new entrance atrium, and in the dressing rooms.
The
lottery money will also bring practical behind the scenes benefits
such as upgrading the IT system, and new furniture for the Gallery
Bar.
The
fund-raising body - Friends of Swindon Arts Centre (FoSAC) was formed
in 2002. Its manifesto is to create an organisation of voluntary
and enthusiastic supporters of the Arts Centre, to promote, support
and assist with fund-raising activities to bring further improvement
to the building.
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Pam
Ayres
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They
were delighted when country poet Pam Ayres and George Baker AKA
TV's Inspector Wexford agreed to be patrons of the group and the
Arts Centre, earlier this year.
Pam
Ayres will be guest of honour alongside Swindon mayor Stan Pajak,
at the formal re-opening celebrations on 27th January. She will
also be performing for three nights at the end of May.
The
Arts Centre have also devised a unique way in order to raise money
for the refurbishment of all the seating in the theatre auditorium
- through a sponsored seat scheme. Artists who have previously appeared
at the venue have being contacted, and local people are being asked
if they too would like to sponsor a seat.
Kenneth
Branagh, Julia Clary and Dame Judi Dench are just some of the celebrities
who have agreed to sponsor a seat bringing the total amount raised
to £7,950, with a further £18,000 already pledged.
The
Arts Centre needs to raise approximately £30,000 to enable the seats
to be refurbished - and the auditorium redecorated in the summer
as planned.
Prior
to that, the January - March Winter season kicks off on Saturday
11th January with a show from popular stand up comedian Ricky Grover.
Other
big names due to make an appearance in the coming months include
film critic Barry Norman, magician Paul Daniels, music from Alan
Price and comedy from Red Dwarf's Robert Llewellyn.
For
further information about the Winter season programme of events
or to find out about sponsoring a seat, telephone the Arts Centre
on 01793 614837 or email artscentre@swindon.gov.uk
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Swindon Arts Centre is located on Devizes Road in Swindon
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