The Old Vic Has Just Announced A Huge £12 Million Extension

Alex Landon - Editor • 15 July, 2019

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It’s a new bit of The Old Vic.

I think we can all agree that The Old Vic are having a big of a stormer at the moment, can’t we? Whilst their excellent revival of Present Laughter is currently hoovering up admiration – read our glowing review here – they’ve just announced plans for a big extension to the historic building, splashing £12 million on some fancy new bits.

In fact, this is the second, larger phase of a £20 million building project, the first of which is currently in progress (creating a new side entrance, an auditorium upgrade, a roof restoration, and, happily, more ladies’ toilets). Phase 2 would create The Annex, a five-storey centre that’ll feature studio space, education offices, a cafe/workspace, and a library of playtexts that’ll be free for schools and visitors to peruse.

Smashing work, isn’t it? The extension all sounds rather grand, but we’re perhaps most excited by the new studio theatre space, which is slated to host “intimate drama, music, comedy and dance”. You won’t see it until 2022 at the earliest, mind you – and that’s only if Southwark and Lambeth councils approve their mooted £3.75 million loans, and The Old Vic’s fundraising efforts continue to bear fruit. Still, we’ve got our fingers crossed for the arrival of this fabulous new space!

Featured image: @oldvictheatre

Tags: art, theatres, waterloo