ISG has been appointed to the £16 million redevelopment of the New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth – a joint venture between the theatre and University of Portsmouth.

The project will see the reinstatement of a 30m fly tower at the rear of the theatre, some 40 years after the stage house burned down and was subsequently demolished.

The transformation of the New Theatre Royal includes the extension of the original building to provide a range of new facilities that will support the theatre's ambitions to create its own productions and become an important creative space for film, television and drama students from the university. ISG will deliver a new double-height studio theatre and television studio, each with its own control room, as well as flexible teaching space, music practice rooms and office areas.

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A significant fundraising campaign spearheaded by the theatre, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England has enabled the project to get underway, with further donations being sought to carry out additional refurbishment and improvement work to the grade II listed building.

The project will significantly increase the theatre’s current capacity from 500 to 700 seats, due to the removal of temporary structures that were required following the fire in 1972. An additional side entrance will also be formed to enhance accessibility for theatre goers and university staff and students. The project is scheduled for completion in summer 2014.

(CD)