OVO Win Grant To Create New Theatre In ST ALBANS

St Albans-based theatre company, OVO, has been awarded a £300,000 grant from the government's Community Ownership Fund to create a new theatre in the city. 

By: Sep. 25, 2023
OVO Win Grant To Create New Theatre In ST ALBANS

OVO Win Grant To Create New Theatre In ST ALBANS

St Albans-based theatre company, OVO, has been awarded a £300,000 grant from the government's Community Ownership Fund to create a new theatre in the city.  The £150 million Community Ownership Fund has been set up over four years to help communities in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to take ownership of assets and amenities at risk of closure.

The grant will enable OVO to renovate and convert the derelict 18th century St Germain's Barn and the adjacent disused sports pavilion, St Michael's Changing Rooms, into an atmospheric performance space.  The building will also be available for a multitude of local community uses.  Both buildings are owned by St Albans City and District Council and are adjacent to the Verulamium Museum in St Albans.

The new theatre will be located within the scheduled ancient monument of Roman Verulamium, close to the Roman Theatre of St Albans, where OVO has been running its hugely successful Roman Theatre Open Air Festival since 2014.

OVO's Artistic Director, Adam Nichols commented, “We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded this grant from the Community Ownership Fund.   Our new theatre will provide a winter home for OVO, just a stone's throw from the Roman Theatre where we have built a loyal audience over the past nine years. It will enable us to realise our long-term dream of creating a permanent repertory company and attracting the brightest and best theatre performers and creatives to our wonderful city.  The beautiful St Germain's Barn will make an intimate and atmospheric setting for bold and imaginative theatre, whilst the conversion of St Michael's Changing Rooms will provide a fantastic place for our audiences to eat, drink and mingle and great rehearsal and backstage spaces for our performers and creatives.”

OVO aims to complete the conversion of the buildings by the end of 2024, with the new theatre opening in 2025.




Next On Stage


RELATED STORIES - UK Regional

1
Photos: First Look At OLIVER! at Leeds Playhouse Photo
Photos: First Look At OLIVER! at Leeds Playhouse

Leeds Playhouse has today released the highly anticipated production photos from its spectacular staging of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! now open in its Quarry theatre until Saturday 27 January. 

2
Video: Watch Kyle Nolan Perform Bedtime for Lola and Lena From THE FINELLIS MUSICAL Photo
Video: Watch Kyle Nolan Perform 'Bedtime for Lola and Lena' From THE FINELLIS MUSICAL

Meet Young Tony Finelli in the new 'Demo Session Video' from The Finellis Musical -- 'Bedtime for Lola and Lena'. Introducing the character of Young Tony and the song, this video showcases the challenges of double casting in this time-jumping musical.

3
Photos: First Look at CINDERELLA at Brixton House Photo
Photos: First Look at CINDERELLA at Brixton House

Following last year’s multi-award nominated and winning Christmas show Alice in Wonderland, Brixton House returns with a brand-new spin on the story of Cinderella. Check out all new photos here!

4
Photos: First Look at POTTED PANTO at Reading Rep Theatre Photo
Photos: First Look at POTTED PANTO at Reading Rep Theatre

The Reading Rep Theatre in Berkshire has released  photos from Potted Panto, by Daniel Clarkson, Jefferson Turner and Richard Hurst.

More Hot Stories For You

Videos


Christmas Agogo! in UK Regional Christmas Agogo!
Electric Theatre (12/15-12/15)
180⁰ Chord in UK Regional 180⁰ Chord
Storyhouse (2/10-2/10)
Zoetrope in UK Regional Zoetrope
National Dance Company Wales (12/13-12/16)
Sing-a-Long-a Matilda in UK Regional Sing-a-Long-a Matilda
Richmond Theatre (2/11-2/11)
Ellen Kent: La Traviata in UK Regional Ellen Kent: La Traviata
Richmond Theatre (1/22-1/22)
180⁰ Chord in UK Regional 180⁰ Chord
Storyhouse (2/09-2/09)
Cluedo 2 - The Next Chapter in UK Regional Cluedo 2 - The Next Chapter
Richmond Theatre (2/29-3/02)
Tess in UK Regional Tess
Lighthouse Poole (2/21-2/22)
Ellen Kent: Carmen in UK Regional Ellen Kent: Carmen
Richmond Theatre (1/23-1/23)
Oh What a Lovely War  in UK Regional Oh What a Lovely War
Southwark Playhouse Borough (11/21-12/09)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You