Derry Playhouse Project Near Completion

A major 15-month re-construction project on an iconic Derry City building is nearing its end.

Construction work on the Playhouse is now nearing the final months. The project, which commenced on site in Oct 2007, aims to completely refurbish the existing listed old school buildings and create a new-build extension to the rear.

The design, conceived by Andrzej Blonski Architects, and carried out by JPM Construction Ltd, will provide high quality workshop spaces for the extensive Education and Outreach Department, in addition to a fully equipped contemporary Auditorium - seating 200 - Dance Studio, Gallery, Cafe and Theatre Bar.

The aim is that the new building will become home to several cultural/art based groups and tenants and will also provide quality arts facilities for the wider community.

The organization currently fills a large gap in the provision of the arts in the North West. It also is one of only a handful of venues commissioning, producing and touring theatre in the island of Ireland.

Based at the historic city walls in Artillery Street, the award winning Playhouse was established by Pauline Ross in 1992 with a grant of just £300.

Since then it has grown to become one of Ireland's top multi-disciplinary community art resource centres, based on a politically 'neutral' site within the city centre which has secured £4.3 million from several funding bodies.

(CD/KMcA)