The big Déda refurbishment has finally got underway. After more than a year in the planning and development, it seems a little surreal now that we are working to our interim class programme and we have builders in high-vis vests in and out of the building.

Following the last performances of C12 Dance Theatre’s Shhh! and Frozen Charlotte’s Too Many Penguins, on the weekend of 16 May, our trusty theatre seats which had been in-situ for more than 15 years were pulled out. They had seen hundreds of shows over the years so it seemed like the end of an era, however we can’t wait for our much comfier swanky new seats to be fitted. No more numb bums! The corridor in the existing building leading to Studio 1, the theatre and the green room has now all been locked up and handed over to the contractors for the work to commence and for things to really get going.

The theatre bare of seats!

The Technical team got busy, stripping out the rest of the theatre equipment, in preparation for an extension of the lighting grid, which Matt from Light Logic is currently working hard at. This will mean that we can light the down stage area, close to the first row of seats much better. Next job is tackling the floor which will be replaced.

Extending the lighting grid in the theatre

The last game of squash in the Queen Street Leisure centre courts took place on Friday and that part of the building has now been handed over to Déda. I was lucky enough to have a sneak peek earlier this afternoon and feel like I know can visualise our new studio space much better. The courts are currently divided into three but will be knocked into one beautiful light and airy space with an adjoining atrium corridor leading to the theatre and the new space.

We will keep you updated as the work progresses!

The squash courts from ground level and upstairs corridor

Corridor from Queens St looking towards Déda