Redevelopment

The ADC Theatre had remained in essence unchanged since it was rebuilt following the disastrous fire of 1933. (Elements that did change, largely though student volunteer-led projects, are detailed in our potted history.) In 2000, the Theatre's bar area had been completely refurbished, creating a much lighter and more pleasant area for patrons. This paved the way for the announcement, in 2002, of a major redevelopment programme to restore and rejuvinate the Theatre for the twenty-first century, and to comply with recent legislation including the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995.

Key aims of the programme were to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (at the time, access to the bar and auditorium being solely via a steep and narrow staircase); to improve the appearance and utility of public areas of the theatre, and to rationalise and improve the backstage and onstage facilities for companies using the theatre. The work was planned in four discreet phases, extending from 2003 to 2008, with work being carried out during the summer months to avoid disrupting the Theatre's performance schedule unduly. Over the entire period, only two performance seasons were lost due to building work. In both cases this was the quieter Summer season, taking place during the University's Easter Term when student examinations occur. Each phase was carefully linked into previous phases and paved the way for subsequent ones.

Phase 1A

Taking place over the University 'Long Vacation' in 2003, the Theatre's foundations were reinforced and utilities were resited to enable the subsequent phases to take place without hindrance. No outward changes were made to the Theatre during this phase, and the works were completed in September 2003 in time for the Autumn Season to commence, as per usual, in October. (Cost: £150,000)

Phase 1B

The first 'major' phase of the redevelopment, lasting from April to September 2004 and requiring the closure of the Theatre for one season. This saw the remodelling of the existing downstairs areas, improving facilities for staff and customers alike. Phase 1, collectively, was awarded by competitive tender, completed on time and on-budget, and made a very material improvement to the appearance and conditions of the Theatre. (Cost: £550,000)

The foyer was moved, enlarged, and modernised, reducing the need for patrons to queue in the street.
New front-of-house toilets were installed, including disabled facilities.
Infrastructure was added to accommodate the more elaborate disabled facilities included in phase 2A.
The facade of the building was remodelled and a new glass front to the foyer installed, creating a lighter and more welcoming space.
The administration office and student clubroom were enlarged, with the technical and production office finding temporary homes until phase 2B.

Phase 2A

This phase, focussing on accessibility, commenced in May 2005 and lasted until September the same year. It was undertaken by negotiated contract with the contractor who carried out phase 1, against a budget established by the Theatre's quantity surveyor. (Cost: £500,000)

A lift was installed from the foyer to the first and second floors of the building.
A new airy corridor outside the lift on the first floor created easy disabled access to the bar and auditorium, as well as improving audience circulation in general before and after shows. Previously, only one corridor had existed for entry to the auditorium.
The bar was extended to meet the new corridor, reducing overcrowding, and an external terrace was created. This enabled the bar to move towards fully non-smoking status some time prior to legislation against smoking in public buildings.
The technical control rooms on the second floor were enlarged and slightly relocated to employ the new lift as the primary means of access. This enabled students with disabilities to be fully involved with many technical aspects of theatre productions for the first time.

Phase 2B

The ambitious final phase of the redevelopment began in April 2008, and was again completed that September, ready for the commencement of a new production season in early October 2008. (Cost: £1 million)

A new extension to the Theatre was build from scratch, located in the Theatre's yard area.
The first floor of the extension comprised a brand new multi-purpose studio space, named the Larkum Studio after Charles Larkum (1942-2006), who served as Chairman of the Theatre's Executive Committee from 1999 until 2006, and was instrumental in bringing about the modernisation of the Theatre through strategic planning and strong leadership.
The extension's ground floor included a new green room for companies, new backstage toilets and a new dressing room.
One existing dressing room was wholly renovated in keeping with the new one (each including a shower for cast use) whilst the other gave way to a new, larger, set building workshop with improved dust extraction. The relocation meant a much more direct route for set from workshop to stage, facilitating larger set pieces and saving time for production crews.
The movement of the workshop enabled the establishment of much larger permanent homes for the production office and technical office, and an enlarged bar cellar.
The backstage access staircase was also moved into the new extension, allowing the wing space to 'stage left' to be greatly expanded and for more ambitious sets to be housed on the stage.
A platform lift between stage level and the corridor built in phase 2A was installed, allowing disabled access to the stage itself for the first time in the Theatre's history.
The bar was repainted and partially refurbished to create a more consistent ambiance, in line with customer's comments since the refurbishment of 2000.
The auditorium was stripped back to its foundations and rebuilt with a new, constant, incline from front to back, and new seating. This improved patrons' comfort during performances and ensured good visibility of the stage from any seat.

ADC Theatre Appeal

The ADC Theatre Appeal was launched in 2002, with the aim of raising the £2.2 million required for the redevelopment work. Under the leadership of Sir Geoffrey Cass, the Appeal Committee administered a campaign that received donations from Charitable Trusts and Foundations, private donors (including significant gifts from ADC alumni), and substantial contributions from the University of Cambridge and its colleges. The phased nature of the redevelopment meant that funds could be raised over a larger time period, with each phase occuring when its own budget was satisfied. The Appeal wound down in late 2008 as the target was reached.

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