New Vic Theatre

A warm and intimate, purpose built theatre-in-the-round, built in landscaped grounds. It is the successor to Stephen Joseph’s pioneering in-the-round cinema conversion of 1962, a short distance away.

The New Victoria is octagonal in plan and four storeys in height in the centre drum. To one side is a single storey extension. The main twin double door entrance leads into a space which covers approximately a third of the area surrounding the auditorium. Here is the booking office, bookshop, two entrances to the lower level auditorium, and a staircase leading to a larger space comprising, bar, lounge, cafeteria and four additional entrances to the house. The auditorium is not quite round, the widest part of the stage being 34ft. The is one row of seats at stage level and six behind on 18in risers the back row being 19ft from the edge of the stage. In the centre of the stage is a trap with a flight of steps leading into a tunnel which emerges in a promenade beneath the raked seating. In this promenade is the stage manager’s desk and a number of alcoves which can serve as handy storage areas for properties needed in the performances and quick change facilities for artists. The two ground floor tunnel entrances are shared with the actors who also have a third, not used by the public. Above is a balcony consisting of two rows, accommodating 200 people, the second row being on a high perch. The design of the auditorium is such that a partially filled house looks quite full. There is a passenger lift for the disabled.

Lighting grid is 8.2m above the stage. The two suites of dressing rooms are reached from the ‘actors only’ tunnel. Rehearsal room and workshops are in the single storey extension.