Trafalgar Studios to be converted into single auditorium

Planning permission has been granted for renovation works to take place at Trafalgar Studios. Following initial reports and plans published in The Stage earlier this year, the two performance spaces will be converted into one auditorium, with a seating capacity of 630.

It is currently unknown when building works will begin at Trafalgar Studios.

In a letter attached to the planning permission application from venue owners Rosemary Squire and Howard Panter, construction works at Trafalgar Studios are necessary in order to restore the theatre to its 1930s construction.

The pair said that: "At the time of the conversion in 2004, the West End lacked smaller performance space which could accommodate developing talent in our industry to present new work. While the Theatre originally met that need, in the 15+ years since its conversion there have been a number of new venues in the West End and central London... which address that need in purpose-built venues, without the compromises inherent in converting an existing older building."

Originally opening as the Whitehall Theatre in September 1930, interwar revues and comedies were staged at the central London venue. The theatre was reconfigured into two studios in 2004, with the main studio seating 380 and its smaller performance space seating 100. Renamed The Trafalgar Studios, the theatre has been home to productions including East is East, The Grinning Man and Killer Joe.

^{Photo credit: Andy Roberts (Flickr) under CC 2.0}