Wilton's Music Hall to Reopen after Four-Year Rebuild

Yesterday, Wilton's Music Hall officially reopened the public following four years of repair works to secure the long-term future of the building. As part of the Capital Project, which began with the repair of the main hall, Wilton's has now opened up 40% of the building which was previously inaccessible.

As the future of the building is now secure, for the first time Wilton's is able to present a long-term artistic programme which befits the building's future. The inaugural production of the artistic season The Sting opened on the 14 September and will run until 17 October. The production is directed by Peter Joucla (The Great Gatsby, Wilton's) and stars Bob Cryer, Ross Forder and John Chancer and is based on the iconic 1973 caper film of the same name, in which two small-time con men set out to outwit a powerful mob leader.

Future productions at Wilton's include The Magic of the Music Hall Family Weekender, Casting The Runes, l'Ospedale, the first ever Wilton's panto Dick Whittington and Mark Bruce Company's The Odyssey.

David Suchet, a long-term supporter of Wilton's, said: "As both the Campaign Patron and a local resident I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that Wilton's has finally be saved. It is such a unique cultural and historic landmark for the East End, London and beyond and it gives me such pleasure to think of all of the people that will enjoy and benefit from its performance and heritage programme. Long live this wonderful building!"

The total Capital Project cost for Phase 1 and 2 was just under £4 million and was made possible by significant support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), SITA Trust, Viridor Credits, The Loveday Charitable Trust, The Foundation for Sport and the Arts, Garfield Weston Foundation, Aldgate and Allhallows, The City Bridge Trust, The Foyle Foundation and numerous other Trusts and Foundation and individuals. As well as funding 74% of Wilton's building repair and conservation costs which totaled at £1.8m, including a purpose-built learning & participation studio, HLF has supported a three-year programme of schools and community activities and events.

Stuart Hobley, Head of HLF London, said: "The stage is set for Wilton's Music Hall to both entertain and enchant in equal measure. This gem of a building - loved by so many Londoners - is now fully restored with a little help from National Lottery players and a lot of hard work by the Trust's dedicated team. We're ready to kick up our heels in celebration as the curtains go up again."

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