The grand opening of the recently-refurbished Playhouse Theatre will be held tonight with a black tie, red carpet event.
The occasion is also a celebration of the fact that the former B1 listed buildings have just won the prestigious UK BURA (British Urban Regeneration Association) Award for 2009.
Having benefitted from a £4.6 million extension and modernisation pro
ject the development saw the building of a 192 seater theatre (one of only a handful of commissioning theatres on the island of Ireland), a contemporary Art Gallery, dance studio, art resource centre and Northern Ireland's largest education and outreach departments, with additional breakout and training rooms available in one of the most unique settings in the North West.
First opened in 1992 by Pauline Ross with a grant of only £300, The Playhouse has developed an International reputation for debuting and commissioning both local and international theatre.
Looking ahead to tonight's gala opening Pauline commented: "The Playhouse is delighted to be officially opening its splendidly restored buildings on Artillery Street. It only seems a blink of an eye since The Playhouse took possession of these wonderful buildings in 1992, and although they have been bustlingly with activity ever since, these much loved buildings were in need of major renovation.
"We are delighted with the support over the years. Our successful "BBC Restoration" campaign is testimony to this support. Through our fundraising, which started way back in 2000, it is pleasing to see the wide range of funders who have invested in this flagship project. It does in many ways tick all the boxes.
"This project is unique, not only in relation to the investment in arts but also for the restoration of two historic listed buildings, as well as the direct economic impact, which will result in job creation directly and indirectly. We all look forward to the future with renewed vigour and confidence, and thank everyone for their continued support".
The Playhouse is open seven days a week. A remarkable eight theatre companies are based on site and more than 25 groups use the buildings each week for various workshops, not to mention the many tenants based on site. Over 500 certified students graduate from its Education and Outreach Department annually and it is home to The Big Tickle Comedy festival, Northern Ireland's largest Comedy Festival, as well as the longest running Childrens Art Festival in Nothern Ireland.
According to Arlene Foster MLA, Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, the Playhouse development is an excellent example of what can be achieved through partnership for the benefit of the local community.
"My Department has been able to contribute £284,933 of EU Peace II funding towards the creation of seven new workspace units. The units have already created 24 new jobs, thus contributing significantly to local enterprise in the city."
Others who helped fund what is one of the largest ever investment projects in the North-West arts sector include: The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Heritage Lottery Fund, DCAL/Ilex North West Challenge Fund, The International Fund For Ireland, NITB, DETI, Environment & Heritages Services for N. Ireland, The Honourable The Irish Society, Garfield Weston Foundation and The Playhouse.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) awarded a grant of £1.12 million in 2006 to aid The Playhouse's refurbishment and extension.
