Mark Price Theatre and Heritage consultants was asked to provide a Heritage Statement for The Trafalgar Studio in London.
The Trafalgar Studio originally opened as the Whitehall Theatre in 1930. It is a Grade II Listed Building, within the Trafalgar Square Conservation Area in the City of Westminster.
The theatre was designed by Edward Albert Stone with an Art Deco interior by French decorators, Marc-Henri Levy and Gaston Laverdet, who were prolific theatre and cinema designers, having conceived the Piccadilly Theatre’s interior in 1928 and the Duchess in 1929. The promoters were the Whitehall Theatre Ltd and Walter C Hackett, an American-British playwright, was the original licensee. The theatre opened with a play called ‘The way to treat a woman’ by Walter Hackett, staring his wife, actress Marion Lorne.
By 2004 and the theatre had been split into two studio spaces to accommodate the theatrical needs of the Young Vic and similar companies. However by 2019 there were purpose built venues that better suited the need. The conversion of the theatre back to its original form would create a single 630-seat auditorium, which will enable the theatre to attract a broader range of shows with anticipated longer runs.
A Heritage Statement with a was required to support a major refurbishment scheme which aimed to reverse many of the 2004 alterations, converting the theatre back to its original format as well as upgrading and restoring other areas of the building.
Mark Price Theatre and Heritage consultancy was able to provide a comprehensive Statement of Significance not only supporting the renovation, but justifying new interventions within the auditorium, making the theatre fit-for-purpose. He was also able to source original plans and photographs to assist with the restoration and an understanding of the original design and finishes.
The theatre is currently under restoration.
