The
Barn Theatre,
25 Bluehouse Lane, Oxted, Surrey
RH8 0AA.
Tel:
01959 561811
Email: barntheatre
@btinternet.com
Barn
2000
The Barn 2000 project - £250,000 raised
Money is being
raised to improve the theatre by:
Providing
covered access to the gallery
Disabled toilet facilities
A Green Room
with more bar space!
A new dressing/band room
Click here to search this site
Click here to see a slideshow of the worksT&Cs.
This is how the theatre used to look
This is what it looks like now work has commenced
The appeal known as Barn 2000, A Vision for the Millennium, is the largest project undertaken by the trustees of the charity since the theatre opened in 1924.
An ambitious scheme of radical improvements, the main object of the proposals is to extend the theatre on the West side to provide a large new green room and bar together with an internal staircase to the gallery. Additionally the theatre will also be providing toilet facilities for the disabled adjacent to the foyer, creating extra full height wing space on stage with an external loading facility and a further dressing room. Wheelchair access to the stage from the dressing rooms has been incorporated in the new plans and modifications within the ground floor of the auditorium are also planned. These further improvements will sustain the policy of equal opportunities for patrons, actors, musicians, technicians and indeed all that choose to cross the threshold of this very special venue.
To supplement continuing fund raising and increase the profile of the theatre, all the residents of Oxted and Limpsfield have received an appeal brochure setting out details of the proposals. The response to date has been overwhelming and the current total of partnership funding from this and other fund raising activities is now over £196,000 and rising steadily. A magnificent sum that would not have been achievable without the support of all our friends and supporters.
The works started on the 14th May 2001, almost 78 years to the day after those to the original building commenced and the archaeological exploration that continued whilst the digger was on site found nothing of particular interest except a broken plate. Excitement built as the archaeologist proclaimed she could date this fragment accurately. On the back of the plate were the date of 1944, the initials GR and the Royal Crest! Obviously a remnant from when the theatre was used as army billets during the war. Otherwise nothing of significance was found.
After a very busy summer last year the works on Phase One, the construction of the weatherproof external shell are complete and a very successful opening was held in December 2002 attended by many friends and patrons of the theatre. Fundraising for Phase Two, a minimum of £80,000, is still continuing and before the fitting out and furnishing works to the interior can be completed we need to raise another £30,000. However the works have started and a glance through the door to the gallery stairs will reveal our progress so far in the Green Room. I am sure you will be impressed. Apart from this the new dressing room backstage is in full use as are the enlarged wings and scenery dock on stage. The preparation works to join the Green Room to the auditorium are well advanced as can be seen from the new brickwork clearly visible in the auditorium.
If you are interested in having a tour of all we have achieved since last December do make a note in your diary to come along to our Christmas Drinks and Nibbles on Sunday 7th December. All are welcome and this is an opportunity to look around in a relaxed fashion whilst meeting old and new friends who love this theatre too.
We are looking to very exciting times at the Barn during the new millennium and if you wish to be part of this by making a contribution to the appeal fund or in any other way please telephone or write to Bruce Reed. Any contribution large or small helps our vision become reality.
Please don’t forget that support for the shows at the Barn is another direct way of contributing to the appeal fund whilst enjoying yourself too and details of forthcoming productions are to be found in the calendar.
Local celebrities Ronnie Corbett, Dame Judi Dench, Richard Stilgoe and Peter Ainsworth MP are patrons of the appeal and Tandridge Council have committed £10,000 to the scheme; a good indication of the support for this delightful theatre and these exciting proposals.
FOR A TAX EFFICIENT GIFT AID FORM PLEASE CLICK HERE OR IF YOU CAN HELP IN ANY WAY PLEASE CONTACT
Bruce Reed,
Oxted and Limpsfield Barn Theatre Ltd, 15a High Street, Westerham, Kent.
Telephone 01959 561811 or Barntheatre@btinternet.com
The interior of the extension at Christmas 2002
Peter Ramage painting the mural in the new extension in 2003
The new bar almost completed, May 2003
