City Varieties Refurbishment Appeal

Main improvements

Disabled access

• Protecting, conserving and restoring the built fabric of this Grade II* listed building and immediate streetscape

The addition of the new public lift, serving all levels of the auditorium, will greatly improve accessibility within the building.

• Radically improving access and circulation to help overcome barriers to attendance and participation

A wire induction multi-loop system will be installed in the auditorium to provide appropriate facilities for the deaf and hard of hearing. Smaller localised induction loops will also be available in the bar and box office areas.

• Realising the full potential of the music hall as a learning resource and creating and delivering an ambitious audience development programme around the rich and varied history and heritage of the building.

What will the City Varieties look like?

Images courtesy of the Strategic Design Alliance Proprietor: Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House Ltd, controlled by Leeds City Council. Reg. Charity No. 500408

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Help us: A £9.2m refurbishment project is planned for the City Varieties Music Hall.

We need to raise £1m, to complement funds already earmarked by the Heritage Lottery Fund (£3m) and Leeds City Council (£5.2m), to ensure that essential restoration and improvement works can be completed, preserving this historically important music hall for future generations to enjoy.

Ways to donate Call: Visit: Post:

08451 260 696 www.cityvarieties.co.uk City Varieties Music Hall, Swan Street, Leeds, LS1 6LW In person: at the Box Office Gift Aid your donation: If you are a UK taxpayer, the value of your donation can be increased by 28% under the Gift Aid scheme. On your behalf, we simply claim back the tax from the Inland Revenue – just let us know when you make your donation.

Why are we doing it?

How are we doing it?

The much loved City Varieties Music Hall has seen little work in recent decades other than urgent repairs. A comprehensive refurbishment is now required to address:

The proposals for the restoration of the auditorium will see the space returned to its character and appearance around the late 1890’s when most of the major changes to the original building had been undertaken. Work will include the restoration of the historic ceiling and plasterwork, re-introduction of glazing, replacement of wall and floor finishes as well as house lighting, sound and ventilation systems, new seats and other soft furnishings.

• Poor ventilation resulting in an often hot, stuffy and uncomfortable auditorium • Very limited access and provision for disabled people

About the refurbishment appeal

• Small backstage area with only very basic facilities

The City Varieties Music Hall, a Grade II* listed building, is the largest and most complete of only four remaining Victorian music halls still in existence. Built in 1865 to enlarge the Swan Inn and the singing room that previously occupied the site, the City Varieties is the only Victorian music hall to have been in continuous use as a place of entertainment since it opened. Stars who have appeared on stage include Charlie Chaplin, Houdini and in more recent times Ken Dodd, Peter Kay and James Blunt.

• Cramped and inadequate front of house facilities including toilets

• Dated heating, lighting and sound systems

These shortcomings will be addressed through the major refurbishment which will safeguard the long term future of the venue and provide significantly improved facilities for all.

This project will not only restore the rich heritage of the building and upgrade its services but will provide vastly improved access thereby enabling the range of learning opportunities associated with the Music Hall’s varied and colourful past to be enjoyed by all.

With your help we can restore the City Varieties and give Leeds a venue it can be proud of as a centre of entertainment and heritage learning.

Historic parts of the front of house areas such as the main staircase will be restored whilst other spaces, for example existing offices and WCs, will be altered more radically to help overcome current operational issues. As part of the remodelling the WC facilities for the public will be greatly improved including the provision of disabled persons’ toilets.

Circulation in the front of house areas will be significantly improved by creating an enlarged foyer space, new box office, and a full height, glazed public lift which will provide a striking, new design feature to Swan Street.

The dressing room block will be completely re-built internally to provide new facilities for performers, staff and as a resource for learning.

Everyone can play their part – please make sure you play yours!!

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