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New Garrison Theatre

3796

The New 700-saet Tidworth Garrison Theatre opened on 1 November 2013 and is located just outside the garrison boundary to enable use by both the military and civilian communities. It replaces the original theatre (ID 2034), now demolished and the site repurposed) which had been at the forefront of entertainment on the military base for over 104 years and was one of the largest venues in the South West of England.

There are two parts to the new building: the largest part is the theatre, which comprises a main entrance, reception and lobby areas on the ground and first floors, a 700-seat auditorium and 5 conference/meeting rooms, four of which can be merged to form one large meeting room. The building is clad in copper coloured timber panels with white awning wrapping around the entrances.

The second part of the building, with its own separate entrance and reception on the west side of the building, is a single storey brick office complex on the ground floor which is used primarily by the Army Welfare Service.

The glazed foyer provides direct access to reception, a bar and bathroom facilities with both stair and lift access to the first floor and the main entry to the auditorium. A side corridor provides access to the front of the auditorium (stage right, also at ground level) and the office and conference facilities.

The main auditorium has been named "The Pickernell Auditorium", in honour of the family whose history has been so closely intertwined with operating the Old Garrison Theatre for 104 years.

The theatre was designed for its primary role as a lecture and briefing theatre, but can be adapted for performance and music productions. The fixed stage is wide (approx. 15m) but narrow (approx 4.3m) and doesn’t have wings with the stage right door opening directly onto the conference facility corridor. The floor in front of the stage is flat and can seat 110+ on moveable seats. This seating can be moved to allow the installation of a temporary extended stage of approx 13m x 5m in this area. The fixed raked seating at the rear of the auditorium is separated into three bays with two aisles extending down from the main audience entrance at the top of the rake on the first floor. There is no fly tower, dedicated dressing rooms or theatre storage space. The new theatre has state-of-the-art IT equipment with surround sound as well as a 36’ x 19’ screen at the rear of the stage.

Built / Converted
2013
Dates of use
  • 2013 : Theatre, continuing
Current state
Extant
Current use
Theatre
Address
St Andrews Road, Tidworth, Wiltshire, SP97EP, England
Further details
Other names
-
Events
  • 2010 - 2013 Design/Construction:
    - Architect
  • 2013 Use: Theatre, continuing
  • 2013 Owner/Management: Aspire Defence Dervices Ltd (on behalf of the MOD), management, continuing,
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Original
    Description
    C. 700
Listings
Stage type
Fixed plus temporary/ moveable stage
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: Fixed: Approx. 15m x 4.3m; Temporary: approx 13 x 5m
Proscenium width: -
Height to grid: -
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: No