New Vic Theatre, Newcastle

The New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme is one of Europe’s most successful producing theatres-in-the-round, renowned for its intimate atmosphere and innovative productions.

As part of a major redevelopment, the theatre sought to upgrade its unique auditorium with seating that complements the space’s flexibility and audience connection.

Project Overview

The New Vic’s redevelopment project was designed to enhance the theatre’s facilities while preserving the immersive, close-up experience that theatre-in-the-round offers. Key elements of the project included:

  • Replacing all auditorium seating to improve comfort and durability
  • Enhancing sightlines for every audience member in the round configuration
  • Using materials and finishes in keeping with the theatre’s warm, welcoming aesthetic
  • Minimising installation time to fit around the theatre’s busy schedule

This transformation was critical to maintaining the New Vic’s reputation as a pioneering cultural hub for the region.

Our Contribution

Race Furniture was commissioned to design and manufacture bespoke seating solutions that would meet the exacting requirements of a theatre-in-the-round. Our work included:

  • Creating just under 600 tailor-made seats designed for excellent comfort and unobtrusive profiles. With 20 different variants of the seat including bespoke handrails on the end of row seats, removable seats in the front row that could be replaced with barriers, and raised backs on the front row balcony seats to create an additional safety barrier.
  • Engineering seating with robust yet elegant materials for high-frequency use
  • Working closely with the design team to ensure the seating aligned with the auditorium’s circular geometry and enhanced the sense of intimacy
  • Managing a smooth installation process with minimal disruption to the theatre’s operations

Our team focused on delivering seats that not only look beautiful but also meet the unique functional needs of this remarkable space.

Outcome

The New Vic Theatre’s refurbished auditorium has been met with acclaim from audiences and staff alike. The new seating enhances comfort and supports the theatre’s mission to make live performance accessible, engaging, and inspiring for all.

Race Furniture is proud to have played a role in this innovative project, helping to create an outstanding venue for contemporary theatre-making.