ADC Theatre News

Cambridge Wordfest Advance Booking
The ADC Theatre is proud to host Cambridge Wordfest, one of the most active and vibrant literary festivals in the country. Click here to see current listings and visit the Wordfest website at www.cambridgewordfest.co.uk.

Stephen Fry visits the ADC Theatre

The UpStaged programme of workshops and seminars played host to Stephen Fry on Friday 23rd October in a packed out auditorium.

Mr Fry spoke fondly of his time at Cambridge, pausing as he remembered a scene with Hugh Laurie on the stage. The audience sat mesmerised as he poured a glass of water whilst explaining the magic of theatre!

He spoke of his involvement with many of the theatre societies and how he later moved into the Cambridge Footlights to met his, now also famous, contemporaries. We were treated to an insight into his University life and his time shortly after graduation, with impressions of Alan Bennett and quick recitals in latin and also of Latin, performed last year in the Corpus Playrooms.

Perhaps most usefully, he commented on how his success was largeley fortunate and that the essence of theatre is in the enjoyment, rather than wishing to be famous.

"I've been very fortunate: and this place, this place within this place, this very Theatre, has had a lot to do with it. The friendships I forged here have continued to this day. So do focus on your lives and your friendships, because that's where the answers lie, in my opinion."

ADC Theatre wins Best Technical Award for Redevelopment Project

The ADC Theatre, Cambridge has won the regional award for Best Technical Innovation from the Local Authority Building Control and is one of just six finalists in the category for the national award.

The award recognises the success of the £2 million, phased redevelopment programme that has transformed the backstage and front of house areas over the course of the last six years to improve performance facilities and make the Theatre fully accessible for disabled patrons and performers by providing lift access to the stage and the technical control rooms.

On Wednesday 23rd September, the award was presented to the Theatre by Ian Boulton, Head of Building Control from Cambridge City Council, He particularly praised the co-operation between all parties and the consideration given to the needs of Theatre-users, both students and townspeople, over the course of the redevelopment.

Present were Martin Reavley, Chairman of the ADC Executive Committee, who accepted the award on behalf of the Theatre; Barry Brown and Rob McKinley of Bland, Brown and Cole Architects; John Henke, Managing Director of Marriott Construction; Lionel Lambert of University Estate Management Building Services and Phil Norris, Theatre Manager.

The final phase of the redevelopment improved the main theatre by creating raked seating in the auditorium and enlarging the stage. An extension with new dressing rooms and a second performance venue and rehearsal space, the Larkum Studio, was also added.

Patrons have been enthusiastic about the improvements to the Theatre. In a recent audience survey, one of the respondents said:
"I started coming back to the ADC in January, after an absence of over 20 years. It's improved beyond recognition in that time."