The Auditorium

Capacity = 1393

The Auditorium

This is fully restored to its former glory. A new floor was relaid as the old one was found to be decaying and the seating has been altered to improve sight lines and comfort. Each seat has been slightly widened and space between rows increased.

A control console at the rear of the stalls containing computerised sound and lighting equipment has meant the loss of some seats, but enables technicians to have full oversight of the audiovisual features of performances. The front section of stalls is arranged in continental style (with no aisles) which gives more seats at the front of the theatre. This seating can be removed to make space for wheelchairs, to enable tables to be set up and used for conference sessions, or the blonde wooden floor to be used for dancing. There is now a total of 1393 seats in the theatre, compared with almost 1600 originally.

Much of the plasterwork had to be remoulded as leaks from the roof had proved destructive. An excellent job was done and it is impossible to detect where fresh plaster has been applied. The walls have been recoated with a beer wash and designs cleaned and retouched where necessary. So the requirement to preserve this heritage space has been adhered to. It looks just as it did in 1930.

A new hydraulic fore-stage lift has been installed to enable the stage to be extended out into the auditorium, or for the orchestra pit to be positioned at various levels.

Additional facilities What you also get access too

The Dressing Rooms

The six larger dressing rooms are along this corridor and there is also a toilet and shower block for performers. A stairway leads down to three more dressing rooms on the stage level. Also on this lower level are the LAUNDRY, the STAGE DRIVE-ON ACCESS, and the stairway under the stage to the humidity controlled PIANO STORAGE area.

Rehearsal Studio

Originally a Snooker Hall, this was accessible by a narrow stairway from Broadway, now removed. For the renovation the floor was sanded, resurfaced, and two central pillars removed making the room an excellent venue for practise and recitals by ballet schools or music tutors as well as other performances or functions.

The Green Room

Why is this called the Green Room? It is not because of the colour of the carpet, doors or the furniture. In olden times the players performed on a platform or stage referred to as “The Green” and adjacent to this was a room for relaxing, going over lines and other things that players did. So at the Regent on Broadway this room adjacent to the stage area became known as the Green Room and the tradition has remained.

Other areas to hire

Regency Room

Capacity = 200

Rehearsal Room

Capacity = 50