Plymouth’s World Class Production Centre Turns Twenty-One

Theatre Royal Plymouth’s (TRP) Production and Learning Centre where sets are made for shows across the globe, turned 21 this year after opening its doors in May 2003. TR2 is TRP’s flagship facility and houses its vast workshop and wardrobe provision, alongside its unique rehearsal spaces where community activities take place and rehearsals for productions.

To mark the milestone, TRP is hosting a one-off production featuring 157 members of the community from young people to armed forces veterans. The show, entitled The Key, has been written and produced by TRP, with costumes and sets designed and created onsite, specifically for the momentous occasion.

TR2 was designed by Ian Ritchie Architects, supported by Arup Engineers, and won the Royal Fine Art Commission Trust Building of the Year Award in 2003 and was nominated for the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize for Architecture the same year and the Mies van der Rohe Prize in 2005, among other accolades. Externally, the building reflects its coastal location using driftwood and other weathering materials with a phosphor bronze wrap of the protruding rehearsal areas. 

Opened by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, the building provides a unique cohesive space combining rehearsal rooms, workshop, costume and communal areas where much of TRP’s work with young people takes place.

Located on the Plym estuary in Cattedown, the 4,500 square-meter centre employs a permanent team of 26 including draughts people, carpenters, metal fabricators and scenic artists, crafting theatre sets which get shipped worldwide.

The wardrobe provision designs and creates costumes for TRP’s own productions as well as external shows, and the rehearsal pods – each designed to perfectly replicate the auditoriums at the theatre – are used by touring shows preparing to open at TRP as well as co-productions.

The business has grown exponentially in recent years, its turnover increasing from £350,000 per annum to more than £2m during the last decade. Recently, TR2 created and installed a Sunset Boulevard set for The Princess Theatre, Melbourne before it transferred to The Sydney Opera House and a Miss Saigon set, including the infamous helicopter, which was built for Folketeateret theatre in Oslo.

TRP CEO and Executive Producer, James Mackenzie-Blackman, said: “We are extremely lucky to have one of the busiest, most ambitious and accomplished scenic workshops in the UK. The sets we construct at TR2 can be seen across the UK, in the West End and around the world. There really is nowhere else in the country that compares with TR2 and we are immensely proud of its progressing capabilities. 

“The architects did a remarkable job of incorporating the surroundings within the physical design while fashioning a completely multifaceted internal space that has made TR2 the epicentre of everything we do. It encompasses everything a theatre company needs under one – very stylish bronze-clad – roof!”

This summer, the exemplary facility has transformed into a rehearsal and performance space for The Key where more than 150 people of all ages, abilities and background are coming together to stage the prominent production. Alongside professional actors and freelance artists, the cast encompasses members of TRP’s Our Space programme and Far Flung Dance Theatre, as well as young people from across the region.

Led by TRP’s Associate Directors Sara Rhodes, Malaika Kegode, John Haidar and Tom Jackson Greaves, the promenade production is supported by young technicians and designers, working backstage to bring the show to the stage. The Key builds on the tradition of giving a key to celebrate a 21st birthday and incorporates themes from William Shakespeare’s coming-of-age play The Tempest. Three sold-out performances are scheduled from Friday 16 – Saturday 17 August and will guide audiences on a journey throughout TR2, physically moving through the building and exploring what makes it so distinctive. 

Head of Artistic Planning, Projects, Jane Pawson, said: “The Key is a celebration and reflection of TR2, both its physical presence and also what it represents within the city and the community.

“The production will be the first time we’ve brought our groups together to create a show of this scale and it’s been a joy collaborating with the young people, Our Space members and professionals who have come together to make The Key possible.

“We can’t wait for our audiences to immerse themselves in the show and hopefully learn a little more about what goes on outside of our Lyric stage.” 

For more information, visit www.theatreroyal.com.