Mayflower Theatre ‘goes dark’ as £7.5m refurbishment gets underway
It’s shone a light on some of the biggest stars in theatre and music over the last 90 years, but the Mayflower Theatre has ‘gone dark’ as a £7.5m refurbishment project gets underway. The iconic Southampton venue, which has seen the likes of Julie Andrews, Laurel and Hardy, Michael McIntyre, Take That and even The Beatles tread its boards, has temporarily closed the doors as it undergoes its biggest makeover in the last three decades.
The multi-million pound project will ensure the theatre remains best in class and continues to draw in hundreds of thousands of people to the city. Every year more than 500,000 people visit Mayflower Theatre.
“Mayflower Theatre doesn’t just bring in huge shows and hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city every year. It also plays an important part in connecting new audiences with theatre and inspiring young people to get involved in the arts. It’s therefore absolutely vital that we preserve this historic and culturally important venue to ensure it remains, and develops further, as a catalyst for the growth of arts and culture.”
Brad Roynon, Chairman, Southampton Cultural Development Trust
“Closing our doors for just over three months isn’t a decision we take lightly but this work is absolutely vital to make sure the next generation of theatre-goers and performers have access to a world-class facility. “This is without doubt the most significant refurbishment project that the theatre has seen in the last three decades and we’re incredibly excited to get work underway.”
Michael Ockwell, Chief Executive, Mayflower Theatre
The venue opened on 22 December 1928 as the Empire Theatre, becoming The Gaumont in 1950 and eventually Mayflower Theatre in 1987. It remains the largest theatre in the south of England and attracts 500,000 visitors a year and employs 230 staff.
Credit: http://www.investinsouthampton.co.uk/news/story.aspx?id=tcm:64-400510