ADC Theatre

The ADC Theatre is a student-run theatre in Cambridge University. It is owned by the Amateur Dramatic Club, but is currently run as the smallest department of the university, with a staff of 3, and the CUADC (Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club) as its resident company. The theatre is run on a day-to-day basis by three full-time staff: Michael Nabarro (Manager and Licensee), Lucy Gibson (Technical Manager) and Christina Elliot (Marketing & Bar Manager).

The Facade of the theatre

Shows

There are normally two shows (a "mainshow" starting at around 7:45pm and a "lateshow" starting at 11pm) each week of term-time. Mainshows run Tuesday-Saturday, while lateshows run Wednesday-Saturday. This leaves the late slot on Tuesday free for "one night stands", such as "Smokers" (comedy evenings by the Footlights).

History

When the CUADC was formed in 1855, the members raised sufficient funds to buy the freehold on the Hoop Inn in Park Street. This building was subsequently developed into the ADC Theatre.

In 1933 there was a disastrous fire, which gutted the building. The theatre was rebuilt, and had not changed substantially until the redevelopment programme, started a few years ago.

Redevelopment

Over the years, the theatre has put on more and more performances, including the mainshow and lateshow. The heavy use of the building, combined with the lack of disabled access to the bar and auditorium (on the first floor of the building), meant that in 2002 an appeal was launched to redevelop the building.

Prior to the redevelopment being launched, the bar had been refurbished in summer 2000.

In summer 2003, the first phase of the redevelopment was undertaken. This phase resulted in no visible change to the theatre's facilities, as it consisted of necessary work to underpin the building and move services such as water and gas in preparation for the next phase.

The next phase in 2004 resulted in major changes to the public areas of the theatre. A new toilet block was constructed on an area that was part of the theatre's yard. A huge amount of the ground floor was remodelled, resulting in an enlarged foyer and new box office for the public, and new management offices, clubroom, production office and kitchen backstage. The theatre's facade was also given a major facelift.

In summer 2005, a lift was installed to give disabled access to the bar and auditorium. In addition, a corridor was constructed to give audience access down both sides of the auditorium. A bar extension and bar roof terrace were constructed on top of the toilet block built in the previous phase.

The installation of the lift meant that the previous ladder access to the lighting and sound boxes could no longer be used. The lighting and sound boxes had to be totally rebuilt to allow access to them from the lift.

The final phase concentrates on the backstage area, and will result in new dressing rooms, a new workshop, a soundproof rehearsal room, and an enlarged green room. At present, funds are currently being raised to finance this final phase.

External Links

• ADC Theatre website
• CUADC site with information about the theatre's history