Capital Investment
The Bradford Playhouse will be founded in the belief that it is as essential, for a healthy civic life, that dramatic masterpieces should be placed within the reach of all .. J.B Priestley. Bradford Telegraph and Argus: 1929
CONTENTS 04. Long Term Rentals 06.Previous Feedback 08. First Stage Works 12. Second Stage Works 20. Third Stage Works
28. Current Plans
The Road I chose (Main house) 2014 by Kaif hussain Photo: C Mann
The Community running a theatre for the Community
Volunteering is at the heart of our ethos, we are involved in every aspect of running the building. As an organisation, we apply commercial strategies to raise profits and then we use these profits to reinvest back into the community.
Like the provision of Art Galleries, Libraries and Leisure Centres we feel theatre is vital to Civic life. Together we are owners of our own heritage, custodians for the next generation, with the power to support our own community. We want to grow, we want to be resilient and to leave the building we inherit more accessible, inspiring and safe for the future “The Plan.� herein is designed to give you an update on improving the building so that you can join in the conversation.
Photo: Choices Exhibition © the Peace Museum Peter Robson Exhibition. © Peter Robson
Update
Success of the Peace Museum Partnership
In October 2015, thanks to a capital development investment from Colin Fine and more than dedicated effort from our volunteer network, we were able to refurbish the Sewing Room, turning it into a Rehearsal and Exhibition Space. We removed the concrete bar, entrance vestibule and replaced the wiring throughout. The corner, backstage toilet has been upgraded and we have painted throughout. It has given this room a new lease of life and feels much brighter and more spacious. The Peace Museum quickly moved in to host
their “Choices� exhibition and workshops, alongside Artist Peter Robson delivering an Exhibition in the Priestley Bar. Overall, it has seen over a thousand pupils from the region engage with the Peace Museum and the Playhouse.
By working in collaboration, the overall output of the building has increased beyond the capabilities of the Playhouse.
We are listening... Here are some of the ways we have included your feedback
Larger Foyer Many people have voiced a lot of feedback about the foyer:
That it is overcrowded.
Parents needing to keep children “at hand”
Fear of vulnerable people being knocked/pushed
Difficult to orientate yourself/ find toilets/box-office/bar.
The welcome at the Playhouse should be exciting, an integral part of the experience, not something to be ‘overcome.’ To increase its size, in the plans we have moved the current office and dressing room 2. Their space added to the main reception. It will see a new box office, bar and waiting area installed.
More Toilets Our most common feedback is the state and lack of the toilets. We are aware of this and have placed it the centre of the Plan. We have located a place in which at least one further toilet can to be created and we are hoping it will house many more. The circle level, via Room at the Top will eventually have access to a further bank of toilets meaning that when busy the number of toilets available will double.
The existing toilets are also to be replaced and refurbished so that they meet the highest levels of customer expectation.
Photo: C Mann Threadfest Out there Project (Main Space ) 2015
Performance: House Behind the Lines R&D Sewing Room 2015 by Buglight Theatre Director: Jono Gadsby/ Castt Costume: Megan Murray
Finding our Heritage Little Germany has 55 listed buildings and is protected as a conservation area. Our own rear wall, from the original Jowett Hall, is the oldest in Little Germany, The outline from its stained glass window remains visible. Our old cloth warehouse facing Leeds Road has a combination of soft yellow stone, typical of the famous “Germany” influence. The facade and canopy designed by Eric Morley once stood as a bold white juxtaposition to the intricate, piazza style warehouses.
There is such a variety that it acts as architectural camouflage, hiding the size and usage of the theatre that
lies behind it. We are keen to bring all these elements back to the architect’s intent, to celebrate the building’s variety whilst also making the vibrancy within the building ‘street visible’. Visitors to the Playhouse should also have access to the important social history of the building.
Much of this history Is kindly held in archive, mostly in storage. We want to change this, we want to make it accessible. We also want to educate Bradfordians about the importance and success of the building’s history as a theatre and contributor to Civic life.
Picture: The original Playhouse façade as designed by Architect Eric Morley.
Matthew Tosh (British Science Festival 2015) Lighting Design: Carl Murray/Paul West Photo: Harry Walton
First Stage Development Securing new revenue streams
The Main Change
The first stage of development is designed to unlock the earning potential of the building.
Turn Room at the Top into tenanted space.
To make improvements to the energy efficiency of the building helping to reduce running costs
Tackle foyer overcrowding which creates concerns for vulnerable visitors.
Making the retail spaces more visible
This includes improving the retail environment, creating tenanted and shared working space. Once these areas are operational it will allow us to prove that our business model is viable and give confidence to lenders that we can deliver a return on investment. There are also a number of emergency works that need to be completed to ensure that the building can remain open and continue to operate during the first stage.
The Front Facade Remove the Canopy The canopy urgently requires removing as it is unsafe. A temporary installation i.e. festoon lighting or similar should be installed. LED Lighting. As most events take place at night, replacing the old floodlights will indicate that we are open to passers by. Painting / Covering the Tiles The long-term plan is bring the façade back to its original “Art Deco” design by Eric Morley. In the short term however, it would be better to either paint the tiles in branded colours. Paint the façade white The wall furniture should remain but as far as possible the wall should be painted a single white colour. Signage The Logo of the building needs to appear prominently at the front of the building. The spray-paint stencil should be used as a temporary solution. Designed banners should be re-installed with wind taken into consideration.
A long term, neon solution, as per Morley’s design should be investigated.
The Foyer Foyer Remove the box office desk. To knock through a port hole/hatch to number two dressing room and erect a temporary retail point. A temporary version of page 15. Office Remove the door and install the Box Office within the space. A temporary version of P.15. The shutter is still in place and can be brought down for security. Notice Boards The external and internal notice boards should be replaced with chipboard so as to keep in with the new branding type. Foyer Doors Should be painted in gloss purple. Foyer Floor Should be painted grey along with the front steps. Branding Key walls to be painted grey or purple and spray painted with the Playhouse stencil.
The Cloth Warehouse A dedicated website advertising the availability of space created. Car Park Advertising boards should be erected which can easily and without expense be changed on a regular basis.
A moving/LED advertising board should be erected either to the wall, or studio window. (Planning permitting) so as to make the most of the advertising opportunity facing the Leeds Road. Projection/Lighting. Projection and floodlighting should also be investigated to see if they afford further advertising opportunities. Inside We need to work with an architect to find the best way of splitting these rooms so that we can maximise on the number of units offered, whilst not making them so small that become unappealing. It is expected that small offices are likely to be most popular with some access, on an ad hoc basis, to further larger space. i.e shared rehearsal or performance space.
Due to the lack of lift, the toilet and kitchenette provision must be considered alongside the normal expected requirements.
Second Stage Development Access and better retail We are keen that access does not only apply to Audiences. It is our mission to be a theatre where those with additional needs can participate in all areas of the Theatrical process including technical, acting and all volunteer roles. Our new lift and step free access to FOH and Backstage is a key part of this development. We are consulting with White Lift Services and the Architects to see if the lift can be extended into the Gantry Level. This would truly mean step free access across all the theatre spaces. Retail and foyer experience has also been addressed. The new extended foyer will be a destination that people are willing to come to early, to wait
in a great surrounding, to have a drink and relax. It will also remove a flight of stairs for those looking for drinks in the i n ter v al an d m ean th e downstairs bar can be closed for smaller audiences, creating a m u c h m or e appr opr i a te atmosphere for their number.
The Road I chose (Main house) 2014 by Kaif hussain Photo: C Mann
Second Stage Outcomes
To be inclusive; improving access for those with additional needs, including the disabled and parents with prams.
To improve the customer experience, including tackling overcrowding which creates concerns for vulnerable visitors.
To improve environmental conditions throughout, including climate control to ensure that the customer experience is not effected by external conditions.
Part of the outreach Beyond Theatre programme, Children help to fend off a race of Aqua phobic Aliens as part of our Theatrical Happening at the 2015 Bradford Festival.
Stage Two Reception Works Bigger and Increased Retail Step free Entrance The removal of Dressing Room Three , and the installation of ramps will allow for step free access via Back Chapel Street
Additional Toilet The current Backstage toilet is reconfigured within the workshop as a new disabled toilet
Lift The same lift will provide access to Front of House and Backstage. Pass card technology will ensure that members of the public do not accidently end up on Stage or have access to the backstage area.
Wider Entrance Removing parts of the Office/Box Office wall create a much wider and appealing entrance to the building.
Charter
Lift
Esme Church J.B. Priestley & Tyrone Guthrie Presidents 1947—1953
Stage Two Basement Works & food outlet The new Studio, will be around the same size and flexibility of the current STUDIO@ Space. It will be easier to find, accessed directly from the main foyer and will have step free access via the new lift. A closer proximity also allows for sharing of the backstage facilities. Fewer rooms will have to be heated, decreasing energy consumption and its cellar location also makes sense as natural light is not required.
A second bar/waiting area will allow the Main Space and Studio to be programmed at the same time.
Access to changing Rooms Lift Kitchen/Bar
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The Lift has two entrances. One to Backstage and one to FOH.
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Original Cellar has been removed to increase studio size.
STALLS (Second Stage) The new lift will come up where the current staircase is between the stalls and the stage. A new fire door will have to be placed on the far upstage left stage exit and the staircase to the stalls moved further centre stage. The lift will give access to the Stage and to FOH.
Access to Stage Lift
Egress for those with additional needs can be via the Old Cloth Warehouse via the Sewing Room entrance. (Approx. 14 steps)
Third Stage Development The Bradford Playhouse Flytower
A Long Term Inspiration
A Long Term Inspiration
In the long term, once we have created sustainability as a theatre. Creating a further retail space that is visible from Leeds Road and available during the day. With the installation of a commercial kitchen within the basement, we will be able to accommodate larger events and to compete further on the open market. It will expand further the number of creative spaces that we have, allowing for us to begin to accommodate other Arts, such as exhibition spaces and even the potential for a small museum.
At this point we are hoping that we can invest in the surrounding land, should it still be available, so that we can offer a pedestrian safe drop off point for coaches, a curated garden/park space with outside performance area and
dedicated, easy access disabled parking.
Basement Tenanted Space
Kitchen Cold Store Storage
Staffroom Playhouse Office
The Basement in the third stage development will be shared between the Playhouse and the cafĂŠ/restaurant in the current Studio. Space for a commercial kitchen will ensure that visitors and commercial renters have access to professionally cooked food. It will also allow us to cater for big events, weddings and large parties across the Playhouse building.
Esme Church J.B. Priestley & Tyrone Guthrie Presidents 1947—1953
Restaurant Leased to third party.
New Lift Main Entrance Light well
Main Seating Area
The new Entrance, outside the current Studio, next to the statue, will allow everyone, irrespective of needs to enter the same way. A new large cafĂŠ/restaurant will increase the service of on site services, encouraging people to visit during the day. It will also be a destination in its own right, creating events and social space for people to meet when events are not taking place in the theatrical spaces.
Esme Church J.B. Priestley & Tyrone Guthrie Presidents 1947—1953
Foyer Currently Sewing Room
Entrance to main space Box Office Bar
Entrance via lift and glass staircase The new foyer will be above the new cafĂŠ. Brighter, with natural light it will be a larger open space that is a pleasure to spend time in. The retail and Box Office will be on the same floor increasing interval drinks spend. The two largest spaces will also be visible from the busy Leeds Road, creating an advert on how popular and vibrant the theatre is.
Esme Church J.B. Priestley & Tyrone Guthrie Presidents 1947—1953
Current Drawings
Basement
Entrance
Current Drawings
Stalls
Circle
The Bradford Playhouse 4 Chapel Street Little Germany Bradford BD1 5DL
01274 800 415 boxoffice@bradfordplayhouse.org.uk