Production Beauty And The Beast' Opened 31 October 1979 Architect Roderick Ham | Capacity 400 Phone +44 1473 295900 | |
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Owner New Wolsey Theatre Company Ltd Current use Producing and Receiving house Rebuilt Reopened 01 February 2001 after major refurbishment Address Civic Dr, Ipswich IP1 2AS, UK Similar Regent Theatre, Mercury Theatre - Colchester, Theatre Royal - Bury St Edmun, Christchurch Park, Christchurch Mansion Profiles | ||
The New Wolsey Theatre is a Suffolk producing theatre, located in the Westgate area of Ipswich. It is a midsized regional theatre, having a seating capacity of 400. Designed by the architect Roderick Ham, construction was completed in 1979 and the theatre was opened on 31 October 1979 by HRH Princess Alexandra.
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History
The theatre was designed by Roderick Ham for Ipswich & Suffolk New Theatre Trust. Construction was carried out between 1977 and 1979 by Haymills Contractors Ltd with Carr And Angier theatre consultants providing planning advice and design/installation of all technical systems and equipment.
From 1979 to 1999 the theatre was operated by The Wolsey Theatre Company, a regional repertory company. The theatre was known for showing performances of drama, comedy and musical plays and was used almost exclusively as a producing house. Due to financial problems dating back to the mid 1990s, the operating company closed the theatre in 1999 and was dissolved.
In 2001, the theatre reopened and is now owned and operated by the newly formed New Wolsey Theatre Company. The New Wolsey Theatre Company is a registered charity with a stated mission of presenting high quality, diverse and accessible work, and operated on a not-for-profit basis. Under its current ownership, the theatre has emerged as a national leader recognised for the diversity of its audiences; for engaging with a broad cross-section of theatre-going and non-theatre-going communities; for nurturing and developing black and minority ethnic artists; and for its style of actor/musician productions.
Productions
Since its reopening as a producing theatre, The New Wolsey has developed a recognisable house style of actor/musician productions - particularly through their Rock 'n' Roll Panto.
Recent notable productions have included: