Civic

Built in 1877 as a public hall, it became the Civic Theatre in 1962 when plans to build an ambitious new arts centre faltered. Ashlar, three-storey, symmetrical façade of three major bays on either side of a centre bay with a tall arched main entrance, above which a triple window completes the rhythm of 1+3+1+(3)+1+3+1 windows. Segmental roundel lucernes above the main modillion cornice. Carved reliefs to the spandrels of the entrance arch, with a portrait head of the patron, Charles Harvey, in a cartouche keystone. Elaborately modelled attic features above, behind which there was originally a tall, pyramidal pavilion roof with flat top and iron crowning balustrade. The 800 seat traditional proscenium arch auditorium was a flat floored hall at first floor level with a balcony on three sides and a get-in door. The theatre closed in 1998 and the building remained closed until the completion of a troubled redevelopment in 2009. The new building inserts three new floors within the existing masonry structure using an independent steel frame to support the floors and stabilise the existing walls. A highly glazed extension to the north provides visibility and access on to Mandela Gardens which can be used as an outside performance space. New retail and office spaces were created along with an external glass-panelled clock designed by Bristol artist, Walter Jack. The west extension houses a café and gallery space at ground and first floor level with managed workspace units on the upper floors. The auditorium on the upper floor, now called The Assembly Room, was divided horizontally to create a smaller space for theatre and performance. A retractable tiered seating block for 316 was installed in 2015. The 2009 redevelopment resulted in a new entrance in Hanson Street. The original entrance building on Eldon Street is used as office space and no longer linked to the theatre. A fundraising campaign was announced in 2017 to renovate the façade and bring the 19th century front entrance and foyer back into use with a box office and café. Three unused floors would be refurbished, the gallery extended and new theatre space created by 2023.