This Saturday 26th October, the result of 14 months of renovations will be revealed as the Assembly Rooms reopens its doors to the public with an Open Day and open-mic style event in the evening.
The £2.4 million redevelopment project has been an immense undertaking, impossible without the university’s investment and faith in the Assembly Rooms as a hub of drama and performance in Durham. The work has allowed us to improve disabled access, restore the theatre’s 150-year-old ceiling and redecorate throughout, amongst many other refurbishments and repairs to the box office, toilets, heating system and 220 seat auditorium.
The past 2 weeks has encompassed everything, from wading through heaps of plastic boxes, to welcoming many new faces during box office and bar team training, to hundreds of emails sent from the basement whilst the final lick of paint is applied to our upstairs offices. Now, as we embark on the final few days before re-opening, only the odd finishing touch remains before the final paint pots and dust-covered ladders are carried out of the building.
The result of such a long-awaited return promises to be hugely exciting, and will culminate in our open-mic event, when audiences will be treated to everything from music and dance to theatre and comedy. Alternatively, our doors will be wide open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday should you wish to simply pop in and nosy round our beautiful theatre.
From staff to students, local residents to rushing visitors of the city, all our welcome, so please do come along and celebrate with us!
By Elvira Parr