Shrewsbury's 'cultural capital'

Shrewsbury's new £28m Theatre Severn which opened to the public in February has been attracting large audiences.

It houses a 638-seat main auditorium, the smaller 250-seat Walker Theatre.

There's also adance studio, small exhibition space, restaurant and the Chapel Bar.

Shropshire's newest venue launched with the annual Darwin Memorial Lecture, presented by Professor Lord May to a sell-out audience in the main house.

The first event also proved a pivotal moment for Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council's Cultural Services Manager Lezley Picton: "45 years we've waited to get this building up and running and it's a really momentous occasion. It's a day that will stay with the staff here forever."

An old Methodist chapel has been integrated into the building

Picton also praised the theatre's staff, who had worked around the clock to get the venue ready for the first public event: "There was some nerves from all of us I think. We wanted to make sure this is right. It's the first production, so there's unknowns... That's it now, we're up and running."

The move across the river might be sad for many of the Music Hall's visitors and staff, but the old venue looks to be one of the biggest winners from the opening of Theatre Severn.

With the burden of live theatre taken off its ageing and inadequate shoulders, a £10.5m building project could see it transformed into a museum, art gallery, and an open piazza.

Inside out

Theatre Severn has been the talk of the town for some time now, and not necessarily for the right reasons. As the first girders were going up, even before it had a name, the design of the building has attracted more than its share of criticism.

The theatre is four storeys high

Now the theatre has opened its doors, those who have criticised the exterior may find plenty to admire inside. The huge glass walls make the landings light and airy, while offering some impressive views of the town. And the views from the terraces are even better.

The old Methodist chapel, until recently a car tyre business, is arguably Theatre Severn's most eye-catching asset. It houses the Chapel Bar; but it is its exterior, largely within the theatre, which adds so much to the feel of the venue.

Public access to the theatre is on four levels. Two entrances on the ground floor - from the riverside and road - lead into a large foyer, with the box office prominent in the centre. The first floor, provides access to the main auditorium stalls, as well as the Walker Theatre and Chapel Bar.

Above this is the circle and upper circle for the main house and the dance studio. Wide landings on the upper floors curve around the core of the main auditorium, while also giving a sense of the scale of the building.

Performing for success

In its first week, six events in the main auditorium sold out - including poet Pam Ayres, former MP Tony Benn, comedian Jason Manford and the ever-popular St David's Day concert.

Many shows in Theatre Severn's opening season are selling out months ahead of performances. And for many events, filling the main auditorium seems to be less of a problem for theatre staff than it is for potential audience to get their hands on a ticket.

The main auditorium can seat 638 people

The success of Theatre Severn will be judged on more than its opening week, or even its opening season. However, despite questions posed by the theatre's critics during its construction, demand for tickets is unquestionably high at the moment despite the tough economic climate.

The success of the theatre will also depend on the benefit it brings to Shrewsbury's tourism industry and wider economy. Local businesses hope to benefit from the new venue, with many bars and restaurants in Frankwell and across the river already advertising pre- and post-show deals.

The team responsible for programming events have transferred from the Music Hall and have shown over many years there (and at the associated Old Market Hall) that there is demand for certain productions, and not just panto.

The task now for staff is to consistently build a mixed programme that balances local use with bigger names that will draw audiences from outside the county (while also keeping ticket prices at an attractive level for locals).

The task should be made easier thanks to the Walker Theatre. The second, smaller performance space allows staff to book productions that wouldn't necessarily fill the main house.

Seats in the Walker Theatre are moveable

It is also a multi-use space - raked seating can be folded away to change it from a 250-seat traditional theatre into a conference or cabaret venue. Alternatively it can be emptied completely to create a 500-standing gig venue.

Dance classes were among the biggest users of the Music Hall and the new dance studio at Theatre Severn is also proving a popular part of the new venue. Local music groups are also making use of the limited rehearsal space.

New start for Music Hall

The move across the river might be sad for many of the Music Hall's visitors and staff, but the old venue looks to be one of the biggest winners from the opening of Theatre Severn. With the burden of live theatre taken off its aging and inadequate shoulders, a £10.5m building project could see it transformed into a museum, art gallery, and open piazza.

Theatre Severn