Everything you need to know about the huge upgrade coming to Hertford in 2023!
Earlier this year the curtain closed on our beloved Hertford Theatre ahead of it’s massive transformation. With this huge investment into the arts in Hertford, there really is lots to be excited about. I wanted to share with you all the improvments coming our way when the curtain rises once again in 2023! Representing a huge investment of £19.9m the aim of the project is to put the theatre at the heart of the community. Here’s a taste of what we can expect!
Larger Auditorium with balcony level!
The entire main auditorium will be upgraded with a brand new balcony level increasing the capacity with 150 extra seats. This extra capacity will attract bigger productions and performers to visit Hertford.
Plush new seating and wooden paneling will add a dash of glamour to the new auditorium alongside an all new state of the art sound and lighting.
A unique element will be an exposed gantry where the audience will be able to see high into the inner workings of the stage during the performance.
Cinema Returns To Hertford
First release cinema will return to Hertford for the first time since County Cinema closed in 1982!
Cinema returns across 3 bespoke cinema screens showing the latest movies 364 days a year. Hertford Theatre have also confirmed they plan to have midnight screenings for big releases like James Bond.
New Plaza Style Foyer
At the center of the project will be a new spacious plaza style foyer enabling guests to easily access the different areas of the theatre.
On the 1st floor there will be a bar area with great views of the river to one side and the spacious plaza atrium to the other.
Riverside Cafe and NEW walkway.
The popular cafe space will be repositioned beside the river serving food and drink throughout the day in a spacious setting thanks to the atrium.
Running beside the cafe space will be brand new walkway accessing parts of the castle gardens which are currently unreachable. The new walkway will pass by “The Motte”, rediscovering this Hertford heritage asset.
Accessibility & Sustainability
The new theatre will promote “access for all”. Currently back stage is inaccessible for wheelchairs. The new layout changes these limitations with facilities throughout for customers, performers and staff.
With regards to sustainability, the new theatre will overhauled. The old gass heating will be removed in favour of a heat pump system along with thermal insulation.
New tech with intelligent systems and eco bulbs will replace the old, aging fixtures reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint as a whole.
My thoughts
Personally, I am so pleased to see our amazing Hertford Theatre remaining in the heart of town. The truth is that we faced a risk of the theatre closing its doors for good. In an age of theatre and cinema being pushed to retail parks drawing people away from town centre’s, Hertford is bucking the trend, inviting more visitation to where it is needed most.
On the design, its very bold and brutal. It’s fair to say that some will not like it in the least. For me I’ll sit firmly on the fence and reserve judgment. Hertford Theatre has always stood out, some love the design, some hate it. I’m a fan and think it adds to the skyline.
This huge investment in Hertford (alongwith the new Lea Wharf) is a massive boost for our local economy / highstreet and should inspire optimism for the future, 2023 will be a big year for Hertford.
Above all it’s the awesome team at Hertford Theatre that make it so special. I cant imagine a festive period without the traditional Christmas Show in town. The team bring a wide range of productions and performers to town with a something for all outlook. I’m excited to see this project take shape through 2022!
Hertford Theatre @ Southern Maltings
Check out the 2021 Christmas Show!
Join Hertford Theatre in the intimate, atmospheric surroundings of Southern Maltings this Christmas and immerse yourself in the ice-cold, snowy world of Lunavik; where even the moon is frozen!
