The famous five...

Today, after eight weeks, site foreman Craig (second from left) leaves us, along with the rest of the gang that have been responsible for the construction of the new auditorium. The theatre is still a building site for another week and there is still a fair bit still to do – some plastering, some painting, quite a bit of electrics and the installation of the seats - but all the building work has now been completed. These guys have done a really incredible job; I can’t recommend them highly enough and it’ll seem very strange not having them around now after two months. Craig is now off to do a quick stint in Bristol before heading to London to spend a few days on the Odeon Leicester Square ahead of a major film premiere! However, he will be back during the final stages of the green room alterations. And if you’re wondering why the photo is a bit ‘speckled’, that’s all the dust still floating round in the air and being picked up by the flash!

The carpeting of the auditorium is nearly completed – just as well, for on Monday we take delivery of the new seats (which will take two men four days to install). Incidentally, for those of you who have sponsored a seat, you might like to know that your plaques won’t be fitted for a few weeks yet. Fitting nearly 100 small plaques using 6mm screws takes rather a lot of time and with the seats only going in as the last stage of the project – they’ve only actually finished making them this week – this is something that will have to be done when we have a dark week or two, probably early-September. There is also some additional signage that will start to appear over the summer, always our quietest period. Our aim is to have all these aspects completed in time for the autumn season, and there may be other little finishing touches and amendments to be made as we become familiar with the new structure.

The doors are now all in place and just need a lick of paint and the fixing of handles to finish them off. The photo shows one of the new sets of entrance doors on either side of the auditorium that separates it from the new corridor. These doors have been made to match the existing foyer doors (which you can see in the background). The corridor will be light blue, as it is a connecting link from the blue foyer to the predominantly blue lounge bar, with a white ceiling to keep it as bright as possible. The ceilings under the balconies once you enter the auditorium will remain black.

Finally, for those suffering withdrawal symptoms from lack of drama in their lives, Deep End are holding a reading of the enormously popular play ART on 24 June at St Luke’s Church Hall. All are welcome, even those not already members of the company, and it starts at 7.30 pm.