250 Appeal

Outline of the Modernisation Project

On January 31st 2008, Norwich Theatre Royal celebrated its 250th birthday as a continually operating theatre on Theatre Street. It has, since 1758, played a unique role in Norfolk and beyond, not only by providing an impressive range of quality entertainment, but now with lowest prices unmatched elsewhere in the UK and also through our education and outreach work and contribution to the local economy.

But we had been living on borrowed time.

The previous building, the third Theatre Royal on the site, opened in 1935 but could not provide the accessibility or facilities required by 21st century audiences and our ever-expanding education and outreach work. We therefore spent many years planning a comprehensive modernisation programme. The key to the project was the securing of the ground and first floors of neighbouring Dencora House for use by the Theatre Royal. This provided the means of expanding the public areas, providing proper access and comfort, increasing the capacity of the Theatre Royal to earn its own living, and reducing the public emphasis on the front of house spaces away from the left hand side of the building to wrap the foyers equally around the auditorium.

By the end of 2006, when the 250 Appeal was first launched, we had, thanks to our own prudence, generous public sector contributions and many gifts from our audiences, Friends, local businesses and Charitable Trusts, already secured £7 million of the £10 million required.

As planned, the Appeal will run until December 2010, when we anticipate we will be able to announce its successful conclusion. We'd particularly like to thank those supporters still contributing to the Appeal, and hope they will continue to do so until the end of 2010.

For information on becoming a sponsor, click here.

PRINCIPAL FUNDERS:

• Norwich City Council
• Theatre Royal (Norwich) Trust Ltd
• NPS Property Consultants
• Norfolk County Council
• Norfolk County Service
• Arts Council England
• Norwich Town Close Estate Charity
• Broadland District Council
• Breckland District Council
• South Norfolk District Council

SUPERSTARS:

• The Geoffrey Watling Charity
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• Paul Bassham Charitable Trust
• Targetfollow Group Limited
• The Foyle Foundation
• The Monument Trust
• Mrs Paddy Richards
• Archant Limited
• The John Jarrold Trust
• The Wolfson Foundation
• The Charles Littlewood Hill Trust
• The Lady Hind Trust
• The Lord Cozens-Hardy Trust
• The Kirby Laing Foundation
• Millard Consulting
• Mr and Mrs Charles Buchan
• Arnold and Caroline Browne
• Howes Percival LLP
• The Michael Marks Charitable Trust
• Educational Foundation of Alderman John Norman
• The Smith & Pinching Charitable Trust
• Mr and Mrs James Turner
•  

LEADING ARTISTS:

• Jonathan & Clare Barclay
• Ranworth Trust 1985
• The Bacon Charitable Trust
• Barratt & Cooke
• Chapelfield
• The Timothy Colman Charitable Trust
• The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
• Richard & Lesley Ellis
• Richard & Waltraud Jarrold
• The Mackintosh Foundation
• Marsh
• The Mercers' Company
• Mr Tim Pollitt
• The Rayne Foundation
• Christopher and Judith Lawrence

RISING STARS:

• R. G. Carter Holdings Limited
• Lovewell Blake
• The Morgan Blake Charitable Trust
• The Leslie Mary Carter Charitable Trust
• Persimmon Homes Ltd
• Fitt Signs + Graphics
• Robin Hall
• John Lewis Partnership
• Mrs Ida Wait
• Peter Wilson

PLAYERS:

• PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
• The John S Cohen Foundation
• Computer Service Centre
• Charlotte and John Elliot
• The Rothschild Foundation
• Sinclair International Ltd
• The Split Infinitive Trust
• Bruce Wake Charitable Trust
• Mr & Mrs Raymond Frostick
• Mr & Mrs W B Pooley
• The Clarke Charitable Trust
• Central School of Dancing & Performing Arts
• Mr B A S Bradnum
• Cozens-Hardy LLP
• Hansells Solicitors and Financial Advisers
• Frank and Diana Eliel
• Greg Chapman
• J. S. Hay Ltd
• Mr Jock Bayfield
• Rogers and Norton Solicitors
• Foot-loose Dance
• Mr & Mrs Robert Ballinger
• D Astley
• Professor Ann Barrett
• Garlinda Birkbeck
• Mrs J Burke
• Central School Friends Association
• Mrs S Chapman
• The W O Copeman Charitable Trust
• The de Laszlo Foundation
• Mr Charles Foster
• Anne French Memorial Trust
• Chris Harrod
• David & Pauline Hawkins
• The Antony Hornby Trust
• Mrs M Horvath
• Susan Jack and Dennis Dellow
• Lewis Jarrett & Co.
• Mr Nigel Lubbock
• Mr Nicholas Lyons
• Ian McKellen
• Norfolk & Norwich Operatic Society
• Wild & Co, Independent Financial Advisers
• Mrs S Furnivall
• David & Paula Wild

Special thanks to:

• Delia Broke
• Michael and Gillian Rockall
• Robert Ward

David Hughff, Smith & Pinching Group Chief Executive and Managing Director:

By making a contribution to the Theatre Royal's 250 Appeal, Smith & Pinching hoped to influence the lives of people of all ages throughout our community. Norwich Theatre Royal is an integral part of our city and region, and I am pleased that Smith & Pinching was the first business to commit to the Theatre's Safety Curtain campaign. When we realised that more than 350,000 people come into Norwich Theatre Royal each year, it seemed like the perfect way for us to support the Theatre and reach new audiences and customers.

Sylvia Aldis, Volunteer:

The Theatre Royal has brought people together throughout its entire life, and in 2008 Norwich Theatre Royal celebrates its 250th birthday. I still can’t get enough of the Theatre Royal, and there’s always been something for everyone. And because the Theatre Royal is a registered charity, I volunteer my time to help out whenever I can.

If we all pitch in, we can make the Theatre Royal the treasure our community deserves.

Richard Jewson, Chairman of Archant:

The redevelopment of the Theatre Royal has been a triumph. At last the facilities for visitors in the public spaces and in the auditorium are worthy of the wonderful productions put on in the Theatre. This jewel in the cultural crown of Norfolk and Norwich sparkles as never before.

Ian McKellen, Actor:

Norwich Theatre Royal is one of my favourite theatres, and its success is a credit to the people of the East of England. It plays a central part in the life of Norfolk, as it has since 1758. Working together, let’s ensure the Theatre Royal is secured for future generations. Please join me in making a donation to support the Theatre Royal’s 250 Appeal.

Tim Pollitt, Donor:

What an exciting time for the Theatre Royal! 2008 will be a dramatic milestone in its long and impressive history, which began in the year Nelson was born. I am proud to have done my duty in making a contribution in memory of Tony and Wendy Husband, residents of Norwich for many years, who knew the Theatre well.

I wish the Appeal every success and urge everyone to support this worthy cause.