Revealed! See inside our refurbished Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre as we prepare to welcome back live performance

Wed 4th Oct 2023

Theatre and Cabaret, Spoken word, poetry & literature, News, Behind the Scenes, Updates, Theatre

We’re thrilled to reveal our restored Grade I and Grade II listed Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre before they reopen for live performances from November!

These beautifully refurbished spaces have been designed by award-winning architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios to conserve vital heritage features for future generations and improve facilities for artists and audiences alike.

Watch our brand new film, featuring a specially commissioned poem from one of our brilliant In-House Artists, AFLO. the poet.

Welcome Home To (And From) Brighton Dome

Comfort and innovation

Improvements include increased audience capacity in the Corn Exchange, a new balcony seating area in the Studio Theatre, two new bars, and a restaurant from award-winning, community-focused local company Redroaster.

State-of-the-art production technology has been installed throughout Brighton Dome, including the latest 5G technology which will allow artists to collaborate across multiple locations and platforms. There’s also a brand new creative space for artists and community groups called Anita’s Room, which can accommodate up to 40 people and is fully equipped with a lighting grid and mixing desk.

Inclusive and sustainable

Making the spaces even more inclusive for visitors, staff and performers has been one of our top priorities and there’s now improved access, new accessible toilets, modern hearing assistance systems, new lifts and low-level service counters at bars. The buildings are also more environmentally sustainable, with responsibly sourced construction materials used wherever possible and reduced energy consumption throughout.

Past, present and future

The architects and contractors have worked painstakingly to preserve the beauty and legacy of these historic buildings for everyone to enjoy, both now and in the future.

Brighton Dome’s rich history spans more than 200 years. The main Concert Hall and Corn Exchange were originally commissioned as a stable block and riding house by the Prince Regent in 1803, while the Studio Theatre was first built as a supper room during architect Robert Atkinson’s Art Deco refurbishment of the venue in the 1930s.

Take your seats

The reopening of the Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre will offer an even wider and more accessible arts and community events programme for audiences and participants.

The spaces have already welcomed 75,000 visitors to inaugural event Van Gogh Alive, a groundbreaking immersive exhibition that ran across the summer months.

From November onwards, the Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre will welcome back a wide range of live performance, including international dance companies, touring theatre productions and community events.

Both spaces will also return as core venues for the annual Brighton Festival in May, showcasing new and world-class art and performance.

Click here for more information on our autumn programme

Thank you!

The refurbishment is the first phase of a regeneration project by Brighton & Hove City Council, in partnership with Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival and Brighton & Hove Museums, to cement the Royal Pavilion Estate as a landmark UK destination for heritage and the arts. The project has been realised with support from Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership, alongside trusts and foundations and many individual donors.

We want to say a huge thank you to all the trusts & foundations, businesses and individuals who supported Brighton Dome’s capital refurbishment project in a variety of ways. For more details visit: Our Donors

All images featured in this blog taken by Andy Stagg.

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