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Corpus Playroom Renovations

 

The Corpus Playroom, Cambridge’s foremost studio theatre space, from October will be administered by the University of Cambridge.

Over the summer, there will be a much-needed £100k redevelopment of the space. The majority of this cost is being met by Corpus Christi College, supported by the ADC Theatre and other donors. This builds on last summer's significant improvements to seating in the Playroom, enabled by many individual donations.

The Corpus Playroom is currently managed by the Cambridge Arts Theatre, neighbour to the Playroom in St Edward's Passage. From the beginning of Michaelmas Term, the space will be managed by the University's ADC Theatre.

Student productions will benefit from huge improvements: the dressing room and backstage space will be completely overhauled and new technical equipment fitted, bringing the facilities in line with those available to students at the ADC.

Additionally, productions will be ticketed through the ADC's Box Office, with a dedicated website for advanced sales, and will be featured in the ADC season brochure - exposing Playroom productions to a wider audience.

"We are delighted that the Corpus Playroom is becoming part of the ADC Theatre family, and we are very much looking forward to working with all students who use the space." said Martin Reavley, Chairman of the University Theatre Syndicate, which approved the change last week.

Toby Jones, outgoing president for the Fletcher Players said "This new management agreement and renovation has been the result of a year long campaign by the Fletcher Players to provide much needed renovation to the Corpus Playroom. With the new management and renovations we believe that the Corpus Playroom will be properly secured for future generations of students and will continue to contribute high quality theatre for many years to come."

The Corpus Playroom opened in 1979, and has over the past three decades witnessed some of the formative productions of future stars such as Hugh Bonneville (Corpus 1982), Sam Mendes and Stephen Fry. The unique L-shaped space provides an unrivalled venue in Cambridge for small but dramatically ambitious productions.

"It is this fringe atmosphere we hope to preserve in the Playroom," Phil Norris, ADC Manager commented. "While the ADC is perfect for large-scale works requiring a auditorium and full technical facilities, the Playroom provides a marked contrast. With our support, we expect the Corpus Playroom to continue to provide a home for some of the best drama in Cambridge."

 

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