Royal & Derngate to reopen after RAAC discovery

Royal & Derngate has announced a timeline for reopening its main theatre spaces.

Performances will resume in the Northampton theatre's Royal Auditorium on 16 October and the Derngate Auditorium on 24 October. Meanwhile, theatre staff returned to administration and rear-of-house areas, with community groups expected to return to the building soon.  

The venue was forced to close on 4 September after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was discovered in the foyers, raising safety concerns and prompting an investigation.

The material, a lightweight form of concrete, was used in the construction of public buildings between the 1950s and the 1970s. It is described as “much weaker” than traditional concrete by the Standing Committee on Structural Safety.

The venue’s Filmhouse reopened on 18 September after access to the space was adapted, and a temporary box office was set up in a nearby pub. 

Managers had hoped that performances in the theatres would be able to resume by the end of September but deferred reopening to allow for the completion of a “final phase” of investigations into building materials found on the premises.

A statement from Royal & Derngate said that they and West Northamptonshire Council have worked “tirelessly” to allow audiences and staff to return to the building safely.

It said had modified some entry/exit routes and that there would be changes in the availability of some facilities so that audiences could be kept separate from impacted areas of the theatre foyer.

Jo Gordon, Chief Executive, said: “ We are so pleased to be able to open our doors to audiences safely again. 

“The experience may feel a little different in terms of getting to your seats, but the staff teams are working hard to ensure that everyone will receive a brilliant welcome and once again enjoy the high-quality entertainment they expect from Royal & Derngate”.