royal court regeneration and leslie lawton

By Catherine Jones on Feb 26, 10 09:31 AM

I had a very interesting tour of the backstage at the Royal Court earlier this week.
It's not the first time I've been on a recce of the building (as a judge of the redesign competition we had a good look round), but it was the first time I'd seen things like the massive revolve stage from underneath.

Theatre bosses are waiting with baited breath for the city council to agree a long lease so they can get on with fund-raising to pay for the multi-million pound refurbishment and new building work.
I really hope the council a) gets its skates on and b) comes to a satisfactory decision so plans can be put into operation.
Before we went for our mini tour, director Leslie Lawton gave a brief but very enthusiastic talk.
Of course Leslie is best known as artistic director of the Playhouse in the late 70s, but he's decamped to the Royal Court with Funny Money and he seems to genuinely love the venue.
He told us: "How wonderful it's been for me to work at the Royal Court. The theatre has such a place in the hearts and minds of Liverpool theatregoers.
"Every major actor in the 20th century worked here. And we all have to work to keep this place open.
"This place must be preserved but not as a museum, as a living, thriving place.
"It's very important that any functional theatre IS functional.
"The Royal Court has the best backstage staff and management I've ever worked with, and the front of house staff are great fun.
"This is the only unsubsidised producing theatre in the country.
"The moment for refurbishment is so right. It has a regular, committed audience and it's growing every year."
I'm sure the city is taking note.