Today we have launched a major fundraising campaign to support the refurbishment of the theatre’s Derngate auditorium. Having been awarded a substantial grant towards the project from Arts Council England’s Creative Foundations Fund, the theatre needs to raise an additional £100K as part of its local contribution to the project.
As announced in April, the ACE grant award of £538,000 is for the renewal of the seating, flooring and audio enhancement system in our Derngate auditorium. With work on the refurbishment due to take place in August 2027, we are starting a yearlong campaign to raise the additional funds needed to complete the project.
Over the years, millions of audience members have taken their seats at Derngate, creating memories that have stayed with them long after the curtain fell. The years of use have taken their toll on the fabric of the auditorium, and, with the support of audiences, the local community and businesses, the refurbishment project will create a more comfortable, welcoming and inclusive experience for many years to come.
Holly Gladwell, Acting CEO, commented: “We are delighted to have secured this vital funding from Arts Council England’s Creative Foundations Fund towards our refurbishment of Derngate auditorium. But we will need the support of our audiences and the local community to get the project over the line, with a target of £100K to raise. Refreshing the Derngate auditorium with new seating and flooring, and an improved audio enhancement system, will help build our resilience and ensure we can deliver a theatre fit for the future while continuing to play a vital role in supporting the local economy and the wider cultural sector.”
You can make a donation to the seat refurbishment appeal when purchasing tickets, and you can also give directly to the campaign via the website here. From September there will also be a contactless donation point in the foyer, alongside a display showing a sample of the new seating.
Businesses who are interested in supporting the refurbishment appeal through donations or by sponsorship can find out more about the opportunities available by emailing the theatre’s Development team on [email protected].
The Derngate originally opened in 1983 as a state-of-the-art multi-purpose venue, which can be configured to stage a variety of events including musicals, comedy, classical concerts, comedy, dance and ‘in the round’ events such as snooker, boxing and gala dinners, and regularly welcomes some the biggest names and shows on the circuit. The venue formally merged with the adjacent Royal Theatre in 1999 to become one organisation, Royal & Derngate, and the last major refurbishment of the building was completed in 2006.
