Seating Appeal 2025 – 2026

For 46 wonderful years, our theatre seats, originally rescued from an old cinema, have supported countless performances, laughter, tears, and standing ovations.

We’ve cherished their charm and history, but after decades of loyal service, endless repairs, cramped legroom, and increasing accessibility challenges, the time has come for a much needed change.

We’re launching this appeal to replace our beloved but ageing seats, ensuring a more comfortable, inclusive, and enjoyable experience for everyone who walks through our doors.

New Seating

We’ve taken great care to select new seating that complements and preserves the unique character of our auditorium, rich in colour, full of personality, and with just the right touch of theatrical flair to honour the spirit of the space.

The Warwick Seat

An art deco style seat with a flute fan shaped back. Upholstered in red velvet fabric with luxurious arm rests. Made with 80% recycled steel content.

Name a Seat

Naming a Seat is a special way to honour a loved one, celebrate a milestone, meaningful occasion, or show your lasting love for the theatre. You can dedicate your seat for 10 years with a message on an engraved plaque which will be affixed to a seat of your choice.

You can name a seat with a single payment of £500, or split it into 3 payments using our Klarna option, whatever works best for you.

A distinctive gift this Christmas that celebrates both the recipient and the arts
Name a Seat – Buy Now

Sponsor a Seat

Partner with us through our Sponsor a Seat program and give your business a spotlight in our theatre’s story. By sponsoring a seat, your company not only supports the magic of live performance but also gains visible recognition within our historic venue — your name or logo elegantly displayed on a dedicated seat plaque for all audiences to see. This sponsorship is more than a donation; it’s a statement of commitment to culture, community, and creativity. Join us in keeping the arts alive, one seat at a time, and let your brand take centre stage.

Your logo or name will also be displayed on our Sponsors Board in our front-of-house area.

Sponsor a Seat – Buy Now

The new seating will bring a range of much needed improvements, including:

  • Improved comfort and increased legroom
  • Better accessibility for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility
  • Easier movement for patrons getting in and out of their seating rows
  • New handrail supports at the end of each row
  • Improved lighting to help patrons safely navigate the aisle staircase
  • New carpeting and signage.

Timeline

We hope to reach our target by the end of 2026 with the work being carried out after our Christmas 2026 production.

We’re delighted to be working with Race Furniture, renowned for crafting seating for prestigious venues such as The Georgian Theatre in Richmond, the Linbury Theatre at the Royal Opera House, the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, the Jersey Opera House, and the New Victoria Theatre in Woking, alongside trusted local suppliers to ensure our new seats are of the highest quality.

A brief history…

The Theatre’s current seating was originally purchased from an old cinema in Crewe in 1979. Bought for just £1 each, the seats were lovingly restored by a professional upholsterer and two trainees on a Manpower Services Scheme, using a donation of moquette fabric made for buses. The services of North Heigham Sawmill and the carpentry shop of the neighbouring Jarrold Printing factory, were kindly given to make new ends for each of the rows. The seats were then assembled by a group of children from a local school.

A new dedication board in our Theatre foyer will formally thank the many individuals, families, schools, organisations and businesses who named a seat in 1979/80.