Lichfield District Council

New Lichfield Garrick Theatre, Lichfield District Council

Facts and figures

  • 21 month-contract
  • The Lichfield Garrick is a re-model of the 1970's Civic Hall which during its 25-year history became the home of a burgeoning local arts scene

The Lichfield Garrick Theatre

Following the successful completion of the Burntwood Leisure Centre for Lichfield District Council, Interserve was awarded the prestigious project for the construction of a state-of-the-art new theatre in Lichfield.

By the late 1990s the venue had begun to lose pace with the needs of contemporary artists and audiences and it became increasingly clear that Lichfield needed a new theatre for the new millennium. Following a 21-month build, the Lichfield Garrick theatre opened boasting Lichfield's Tourist Information Centre, an auditorium of 485 seats and an additional 142-seat studio theatre is set alongside giving a greater versatility to the whole complex.

The old Civic Hall was largely demolished and a new steel frame erected around the remaining walls. Orchestra and stage pits were incorporated into the main 485-seat auditorium with adjoining bars and a restaurant.

“The town that made Johnson famous now has a twenty-first century reason to be pleased with itself; a bright new theatre." The Observer, September 2003

Achievements

  • The Garrick was run as an M4i Demonstration Project focusing on environmental improvements:
    • The major innovation is a sophisticated computer controlled ventilation/cooling system.
    • Energy savings and reduction of noise with new extractor system: High level automatically opening louvres vent the hot air from the building, pulling in cool air from beneath the auditorium through a series of voids under the seats.
    • The controversial external design incorporates the large extract flumes which naturally vent the building and the external envelope is clad in terracotta, zinc, cedar and brickwork. The venue provides much needed additional space for the ‘Lichfield Festival’ and an opportunity for significant expansion to the cultural arts in the surrounding area.
  • Awards won by The Garrick Theatre include:
    • Building Services Award 2004
    • Green Apple Award 2004 for Environmental Best Practice
    • Constructing Excellence Award 2005
  • At the heart of the Cultural regeneration of the District of Lichfield: The Lichfield Garrick is home to a diverse programme of events from theatre to music, dance to visual arts.