Designs for the remodelling of the Malvern Theatres, developed by Burrell Foley Fischer working with the theatre and Malvern Hills District Council, have been granted Planning Permission. The ambitious project, which has received funding of £20million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, will aim to deliver a world-class cultural facility within the Malvern Hills District.
In the report presented to the Planning Committe it was noted that Historic England had commented that:
“It is clear that the proposal is likely to bring about considerable public benefits. The works present a number of positive opportunities. This includes integrating the building’s many phases, and re-enforcing its relationship with Priory Park; an important part of the Great Malvern Conservation Area and setting of the Grade II* listed Council House.”
The project provides a significant opportunity to:
Increase access to Arts and Culture for the wider community in Malvern and expand on the success of the current theatre;
Improve the physical connection between Malvern Theatres and the adjacent Priory Park;
Improve the internal wheelchair access to the Forum theatre for Performers, including wheelchair accessible dressing facilities;
Develop casual performance opportunities in the park with an amphitheatre.
The project comprises an extension to the existing theatre to provide:
New studios – Studio Two will be flexible, with a significant proportion of programming to be flat floor for workshops and classes as well as rehearsal for transfer to the Festival or Forum stages. Retractable seating with good sight lines for a range of performance including live music, dance and screenings will be provided. This medium capacity supports use for community and smaller shows without occupying the much larger Forum or Festival spaces. Additional spaces, Studios Three and Four, will be used for workshops and classes. They will be flexibly connected and can also double up for dressing space for large casts.
Dressing Rooms – the existing poor quality dressing room block is to be demolished and replaced. Connectivity will allow the dressing rooms to be used from either the Forum Theatre or the new studios for flexibility and to minimise redundancy. Wheelchair performers will have stage level access and compliant sanitary facilities for the first time.
Alterations to the Forum to provide a level access stage and improved seating.
Recording studio for 4 people to enhance the existing offer;
Improved get in - the existing Forum get in is awkward across split levels. The new get in will have a covered entrance area and wider doors with a scene store/workshop;
Office space for additional staff;
Upgrading to the park entrance with re-profiled external stairs and handrails and an internal lift. A new vestibule will be provided to manage heat loss and replace the ‘winter’ entrance;
External amphitheatre adjacent to the steps as a new public facility for casual performance;
Improving the relationship with the park with new planting areas and sheltered seating;
New mechanical and electrical plant with heat recovery and PV cells.
The project will significantly widen access to culture for the local population, as well as the wider sub-region, with additional people able to participate in an accessible programme of drama, dance, fitness, musical and educational provision. As well as increasing overall reach and audience size, the project particularly targets those currently less able to access culture and its wellbeing and educational benefits. The newly accessible facilities will enable increased participation by physically and mentally disabled people, equalising access to the Theatres’ main commercial offer as well as its ‘Take Part’ programme of tailored events to meet audience-specific needs.
This nationally significant project will act as a key economic driver for the region, creating new jobs and a further indirect employment opportunities. It will transform visitor numbers supporting the vitality and vibrancy of Great Malvern town centre and the wider visitor offer, which is key to the District’s economic prosperity.