Gulbenkian Theatre

• Theatre ID
  2845
• Built / Converted
  1969
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre (Educational Venue)
• Address
  University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NB, England

Details

The Gulbenkian Theatre is situated on the University of Kent Campus outside Canterbury. Plain yellow brick two-storey building relieved only by canopy over the glass entrance foyer. Adjoining is a dressing-room block, Cinema 3 (a BFI film theatre) and a caféith glass exhibition area, set within a landscaped area. The foyer and bar are fairly generous in proportion but utilitarian in atmosphere, and lead to a friendly, polygonal auditorium with raked seating in three banks. Each seat has uninterrupted sightlines and there is a good relationship between the audience and the actor on the thrust stage. This is a pleasant theatre, but as designed there is virtually no space stage right, and the orchestra pit is extremely labour intensive to activate. However the Gulbenkian has increasingly embraced a community role – not just the university – and provides a good complementary venue to the Marlowe.

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• Events
  • Owner/Management: University of Kent
  • 1969 Design/Construction:
    • Farmer & Dark - Architect
  • 1997 Alteration: auditorium refurbished
    • Unknown - Architect
• Capacities
  • Original: 343
  • Current: 343
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Open thrust
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 7.6m (25ft) Width: opening to rear 11.6m x 4m high (38ft x 13ft)