Hall For Cornwall has announced that, this June, they will close for an ambitious and much-needed refurbishment of their theatre, seeking to safeguard the heritage of the building and transform the venue into a dynamic and high-quality environment that will give the people of Cornwall access to the best performing arts to rival any city in the country.
After six years of planning, the funding is now in place to enable this exciting project to move forward, which will see the auditorium increase in size, enabling the theatre to attract top West End shows and promote and support creative talent, alongside developing their work with schools and young people. In addition, new cafés and bars, a Heritage Lottery funded project and new digital creative business hub, will combine to create a venue that will continue to inspire, educate and be enjoyed.
Upon the foundations of the existing site, the project, designed by Burrell Foley Fischer, will unearth the history and heritage of the Grade II* listed building and create a new theatre within, alongside an improved café, bar and public spaces. The theatre's new home will be a vital community asset and one which will continue to inspire, engage, educate entertain and challenge all audiences, firmly placing them at the heart of Truro’s cultural and economic offering and securing their long-term future. Support has come from the government, along with Arts Council England, Cornwall Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) and, most recently, the Cornwall Local Enterprise Partnership.
Their final and celebratory performance, with Local Cornish band The People’s String Foundation Orchestra, will conclude the current chapter in Hall For Cornwall's history will be Saturday 2 June 2018. It is anticipated that the newly refurbished theatre will open 2020.