Redefined and rediscovered: How Mace re-imagined a theatre fit for the Bard

"Redefined and rediscovered": Mace delivers a new theatre fit for the bard

“We are not in the new theatre, and yet we are not in the old theatre either” was the enigmatic opening statement from Sir Christopher Bland facing a sea of journalists at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) press day on 23rd November.

Or as artistic director for the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) Michael Boyd put it, “we are in a transformed theatre which has in essence been restored and rediscovered”. This process of rediscovery and restoration proved to be a truly collaborative journey for both Mace and the RSC, setting new standards for arts construction delivery, and one that has resulted in a benchmark-setting theatrical environment for the UK.

Respecting the “ghosts in the walls”

The effect of the new theatre is breathtaking. The retention of Elisabeth Scott’s art deco features in most communal areas allows visitors a glimpse of past splendours juxtaposing perfectly with the new RSC programme which offers all the modernity and innovation a twentieth century theatre goer can require.

RST tower

During the transformation approximately 5,000 bricks were reclaimed and the original 1932 brickwork was restored by hand. Significant parts of the existing building were retained as part of the project. Where this was not possible, some materials and components were reclaimed and re-used or sold. Re-used items include the old teak stage floor now laid in foyer spaces. Old doors and architectural features are placed in new sections of the building including the old art deco foyer clock, which has been restored and featured in the Scott bar. It is no secret that the old theatre was a problematic space but the retention of old features such as these has meant instead of starting from scratch the RSC has been given the opportunity to “celebrate the old space rather than to be frustrated by it” as executive director Vicky Heywood put it. In particular the new “thrust stage” which creates a more intimate and democratic performance space, halvies the distance from the stage to the furthest seat in the auditorium down from 27m to just 15m.

Thriving on challenges

Mace has been involved in the project as construction managers since 2006 and is extremely proud of its input into this historically important building. Transforming a theatre not only of one of the world’s most beloved playwrights but in the very town of his birth is not a project to be taken on lightly. The complex deconstruction and subsequent rebuilding process sensitive at all times to the historical features of the original theatre has benefitted from Mace’s construction management approach which allowed the needs of the client to stay at the forefront of the development and the project team to work hard to manage delays and disruption.

The value of the construction management service lies in its ability to plan and plan well, something which was invaluable in this project as despite reams of carefully drawn designs compiled using a library of archive material, the physical building was frequently found to differ from the original plans and drawings. Overall there have been 2,500 design changes incorporated throughout the project and it has still been completed on time and to budget. The design and construction of the 7m deep basement presented one of the biggest of these challenges as it has been constructed below ground level and next to the river Avon. There are lots of reasons why this project has been challenging but to a man, the construction team have certainly thrived on the challenges.

The twain shall meet

Arts construction projects are always collaborations between diverse stakeholders and strange bedfellows and the transformation of the Shakespeare theatre has brought together a truly collaborative yet truly disparate group of people. Communication has been key in knitting together the technical and the creative ambitions of the project. Members of the RSC who started out as alien to construction sites as the construction team were to the greasepaint and spotlights of the theatre, worked together as a truly collaborative cast.

The project has lent itself to some construction myths (was the 7 metre basement really measured using an actor on a horse, wearing a crown and raising his sword in the air to ensure the perfect height for any dramatic eventuality?) the fact that this myth appears eminently believable is testament to the unique and exciting nature of this project. And this is the crux of both the challenge and the success the project has created, the ability for successful collaboration between the RSC and the project teams. Mace has had to understand the creative and very specialised needs of the RSC and to respond to these needs in a sensitive way in order to get the job done. As project director Peter Wilson states “it has been fascinating to watch the magic of the RSC as a performing arts organisation to capture the hearts and minds of such a disparate collection of construction industry people.”

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Mace delivers arts construction projects both large and small. Contact our arts sector team to discuss your project today.