Skip to main content

Nuffield Theatre

682

Built in 1964 at a cost of £150,000 by the University of Southampton. It was designed primarily for theatre but with flexibility to allow for concerts, film, opera, ballet and lectures. Named the Nuffield Theatre because it was built by means of a grant from the Nuffield Foundation. In 1982, the Nuffield became an independent producing theatre. The stage is adaptable from a proscenium end stage to a large forestage projecting a significant way into the auditorium. There is limited flying height but provision exists for the use of groundrows and advanced cyclorama. Externally a single storey brick structure crisply divided by doors and window bays; within and above this, the body of the auditorium rises as a copper-clad concrete structure with battering faces. The foyer and other walls of the auditorium were lined in fine African walnut panelling, now removed. Seating is on a sharply raked centre block rising from floor level to above the gallery at the back. There are also two stepped side portions at floor level and a pair of raised wings of side seating which curve round from a point half way up the central banks. The auditorium was upgraded in 1987 when a false ceiling was installed and the foyers were refurbished in 2004.

Built / Converted
1964
Dates of use
  • 1964 : Theatre, continuing
Current state
Extant
Current use
Theatre (University theatre)
Address
University Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 1TR, England
Further details
Other names
-
Events
  • 1964 Use: Theatre, continuing
  • 1964 Design/Construction: As university theatre
    Sir Basil Spence & Partners
    - Architect
  • 1964 Owner/Management: University of Southampton, owners
  • 1983 Owner/Management: Nuffield Theatre Trust, lessees
  • 1991 Alteration: re-wired to fulfill licensing requirements
    Unknown
    - Architect
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Original
    Description
    420-506 variable
  • Capacity
    Current
    Description
    482
    Comment
    2015; variable 381-482 depending if forestages are used
Listings
  • Listing
    Not listed
Stage type
Flat, proscenium stage but can be open thrust or picture frame. Forestage in two sections.
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: Depth: 7.16m Width SL: 4.11m SR: 4.11m
Proscenium width: 9.1m x 4.6m high
Height to grid: 9.57m flying bars 10.97m
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: Flexible, accommodation for 30 or 17 possible