History in all the previous threads so I won't repeat it here. The building is now watertight and all asbestos has been removed so Stockton Council have been allowing visitors for a "Sneak peek" before the restoration begins in earnest for projected opening summer 2019.
The building is probably looking the worst it has ever been with a missing ceiling in the upper foyer, the rotten stage removed and gaping holes in the plasterwork, however it is supposedly all uphill from now on apart from the dressing room block that will be demolished and rebuilt (with more rooms and a lift).
This was a hard hat tour and somewhat restricted as to where we could go, basically rear stalls, foyer, upper foyer, a little bit of the rear circle and a little bit of the front circle.
Here is the frontage on a crispy day (it was -7 when I arrived), all other shots are of the auditorium.
The building is probably looking the worst it has ever been with a missing ceiling in the upper foyer, the rotten stage removed and gaping holes in the plasterwork, however it is supposedly all uphill from now on apart from the dressing room block that will be demolished and rebuilt (with more rooms and a lift).
This was a hard hat tour and somewhat restricted as to where we could go, basically rear stalls, foyer, upper foyer, a little bit of the rear circle and a little bit of the front circle.
Here is the frontage on a crispy day (it was -7 when I arrived), all other shots are of the auditorium.
