Bristol Old Vic theatre reveals redevelopment details

The funds will go towards upgrading the Theatre Royal auditorium

A theatre in Bristol has revealed details of the next stage of its multi-million pound redevelopment.

Bristol Old Vic is to undergo £19.3m of refurbishment work.

A public meeting was held earlier, following the recent announcement of a £6.1m grant from Arts Council England (ACE).

The funds will go towards upgrading the auditorium and the front-of-house area, and improving backstage, technical and rehearsal facilities.

The ACE grant brings the total raised towards redevelopment to about £10.5m.

A theatre spokesman said the remaining £8.8m would be secured through fundraising.

At the meeting, the directors spoke for the first time of how they aimed to establish the theatre as one "of major significance both nationally and locally".

Executive director Emma Stenning said: "The reason this ACE grant is so important is that it enables us to move forward confidently with the redevelopment of the actual fabric of the building in order to maintain its vitality and splendour 243 years after it was built."

In 2007, work began to fix parts of the building that had fallen into disrepair.

The latest work is due to start in October.