Blog

D Day is here.

After months of fabulous closing events – the spectacular Macbeth; a lovely send-off from Roger McGough and Brian Patten; thousands of supporters coming to share their memories; a bonkers Finale with JCB, undertakers, fire and balloons; a bring-a-bottle-and-dish staff picnic - the building that’s had more farewells than Sinatra is now facing its final curtain.

I can’t pretend I haven’t been choked with emotion on many of these occasions. But everyone who’s seen the backstage (non) facilities, had their seat collapse under them, faced the indignity of getting into the building in a wheelchair, or attempted to pull off top class design in a space that fought them at every turn knows it has to be.

And everyone who’s seen and contributed to the designs for the new building knows that this is the beginning of a great adventure. This is the moment when the Everyman’s mighty spirit is liberated from a building that presented so many obstacles. At last we can create a new home in which so much more will be possible and so many more can get fully involved with our work.

If you haven’t yet seen the designs for the new Everyman (where have you BEEN?), they can be found here. If you have, then I hope you share our excitement at finally getting cracking with a development that’s been more than ten years in the planning.

The next few months will see the old Hope Hall carefully dismantled, as we’re re-using the original bricks in the new building and 90% of the materials will be recycled either here or elsewhere. There won’t be the high drama of wrecking balls or explosions: no catharsis, just a lot of care.

‘Demo’, as we’ve learnt to call it, will take us through the autumn, and then the new building will start to emerge this winter. We’ll be posting regular updates here, and the webcam will follow the process every step of the way, so do check in from time to time.

As far as the new Everyman is concerned, it’s B-Day. B for Beginning, for (re)Birth and for ‘Blimey: we’re off!’

Deborah

Deborah Aydon
Executive Director

Comments:

1. Really enjoyed reading this! Thank you. And so good to know how things are going to be carried out, Original bricks from the old Hope Hall--- brilliant. Looking forward to reading more!
   Posted by Jo Street on 22nd Aug 2011 at 16:53 PM
2. Gutted, and can't wait at the same time. There's no other team I'd trust to get it right!
   Posted by Ed on 22nd Aug 2011 at 17:34 PM
3. And a golden opportunity for some time-lapse footage!
   Posted by Ed on 22nd Aug 2011 at 17:36 PM
4. Mixed emotions as an ex vollie, the old building has a lot of happy memories, but this hits the nail on the head - there are too many real impediments to good work. The new design couldn't be in better hands, can't wait to see it unveiled.
   Posted by Rosie Hunter on 22nd Aug 2011 at 17:57 PM
5. Deborah, I may have a new home at the Lyric Hammersmith, but the Everyman will always be my family. I watch the transformtion with excited anticipation.
   Posted by Helen Grey on 23rd Aug 2011 at 00:20 AM
6. there was always a place for everybody in the old building,{mine was the left benches}. I wait with excitement and trepidation in equal measure to find my "place" in the new. I hope that the ghosts move with you!
   Posted by Maureen Colduck on 26th Aug 2011 at 14:45 PM
7. walk on with hope in our hearts! the Everyman will be bigger and stronger than ever
   Posted by MT kopite on 26th Aug 2011 at 14:50 PM
8. Excited as I am for the future I still have a tear in my eye. The Everyman was the first theatre my little girl stepped foot in and where her love for the stage began. Fingers crossed u dont lose ur warmth xx
   Posted by Jo and Family on 26th Aug 2011 at 14:57 PM
9. The Everyman was my path to really good theatre thank you for opening my eyes and my mind. Here's to the next generation!!
   Posted by Mary T on 26th Aug 2011 at 15:15 PM