Nottingham Playhouse (ii)

This is one of the most important theatre buildings of its period. The Nottingham Playhouse was the first successful adaptable playhouse incorporating both the open and proscenium stage forms.

The building is of reinforced concrete and has a square plan with a two storey face to Wellington Circus, within and above which rises the cylindrical shell of the auditorium. The proscenium is just a gap in the wall, capable of adjustment to a variety of widths and within which a large, mechanically raised thrust stage can be assembled.

The auditorium is extremely intimate and is on two levels. The seats, arranged in curving rows have good sight lines. The walls are clad in black timber presented as a series of vertical slats.

A prominent, metal clad fly-tower contains 32 double purchase sets of counterweights. The orchestra pit can accommodate 45 musicians.

Externally a glazed ground floor, with the first floor above it, "treated as a low horizontal band chequer patterned with opaque white panels and a dark glazing" (Listing notice, Department of National Heritage 14 July 1994).

The foyer has open tread staircases and a balcony following the external line of the building. In 1994 a new area was accessed, ‘The Playroom’ above the Limelight Bar, replacing the little-used 1985 terrace, to provide a new rehearsal space. More controversially a lift was installed in the centre of the foyer.

Listed Grade II* the Nottingham Playhouse is an elegant and distinguished addition to Nottingham’s street scene as well as being responsible for establishing standards for the relationship of stage to auditorium.