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HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR VICE ADMIRAL SIR DAVID STEEL KBE DL ―
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PATRON, GIBRALTAR NATIONAL THEATRE FOUNDATION.
Any new arrival to Gibraltar is struck by the unique nature of its terrain. Stay here just a while longer, and one becomes embraced by its vibrant and ambitious community, whose passion for culture, music, the performing arts and learning is something I have not experienced anywhere else. Dependent for such a long time in its history on self-generated entertainment, activities and social engagement, the people of Gibraltar have developed an amazingly broad range of artistic and performing talent. This talent calls out now for the chance to be showcased in a more fitting and up to date setting than the one that has served this purpose so admirably for the past 50 years. To be the Patron of the Gibraltar National Theatre Foundation is an honour. When such a new facility opens, it will benefit not only the residents of Gibraltar but also the many millions who visit Gibraltar each year and of course our neighbours in Spain. It will allow local talent to flourish, and provide the perfect stage for international talent. I hope very much that you will feel attracted to being an important part of this incredibly exciting project.
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PROF JOHN CORTES MBE, MINISTER FOR CULTURE ―
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MINISTER: JOHN CORTÉS
I always had a passion for the Performing Arts. I grew up at home listening to arias of Zarzuelas and hearing the reciting of Shakespeare, and was on the stage by the age of 8. I was lucky to have been born into an artistic family because, despite the great tradition that Culture has always had in Gibraltar, provision for and encouragement of the performing arts among children was nowhere as extensive and organised as it is now. As a small community we have excelled in the Arts. Thousands of young people belong to dance and drama groups or academies, the Arts are extremely popular, and well taught, both there and in our schools, and Gibraltarians are treading the boards on famous stages. This, all thanks to the talent, and the incredible commitment of performers, teachers, parents and families. But without a proper Theatre.
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Despite having had smaller theatres over the years, and some wonderful performance areas, Gibraltarian performers, and their supporting teams have for many decades worked without the privilege of using a real Theatre with a real stage and playing to the size of audience they deserve. Just imagine the heights we could have achieved had we had this. The small size of stage and auditorium has also meant that we have not been able to host acts from overseas - for both the enjoyment of the Community and in order to inspire and encourage Gibraltar-based groups. The Pandemic has without doubt confirmed the importance - and the value - of Culture at the heart of the Community - as defining its identity.
for Gibraltar-based artists, it will be equipped for, and we already know will attract users from major production companies, and for conferences, e-Sports, and more. A robust and thorough Business Plan predicts economic viability as well as significant social outreach. I know that the Gibraltar National Theatre and its Cultural Hub at the John Mackintosh Hall will in future be one of the most used and most loved facilities that we will boast, enjoyed by thousands of performers, artists, and many appreciative audiences. But it needs your support. The intense design work, the expert discussions and the planning that have already taken place guarantee a first class sustainable complex, unique in the region. We need your contribution to making this happen. It is the opportunity of a generation and we need you to ensure that we don’t let this pass us by.
So Gibraltar deserves a National Theatre, this National Theatre. But it also needs the National Theatre. The Gibraltar National Theatre, with its associated Cultural Hub, including the enhanced Library, Exhibition and meeting rooms, and the Studio Theatre will serve Gibraltar so well. In addition to providing opportunities
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GIBRALTAR GATEWAY TO THE WORLD Gibraltar stands as guardian to the Mediterranean Sea, ancient marker for the known world and an indomitable British military bastion. A population of approximately 32,000 people and boasting a flourishing economy, Gibraltar has become a key pillar in the region for tourism, maritime services, financial services and e-gaming. Situated 14 miles away from Morocco and sharing a land border with Spain, Gibraltar fuses British standards with a multi-cultural strength, access to the EU and a major hub for super yachts and cruise liners. COVID-19 has created a lack of trust in major investment worldwide, yet Gibraltar’s steady growth and indeed its reputation as a strong economy (ranked fourth worldwide in terms of GDP per capita) has meant that plans for multi-million pound investments such as the new Hilton Hotel, Victoria Keys and Eastside development are well underway. With a recorded 10 million visitors per year arriving via land border, cruise liner or plane, this prosperous nation is primed to take art and culture to the next level.
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THE GIBRALTAR NATIONAL THEATRE FOUNDATION The Gibraltar National Theatre Foundation was set up as a body to spearhead the raising for the funds needed to proceed with the Gibraltar National Theatre Project. Its Patron is His Excellency the Governor Sir David Steel. It is chaired by the Hon John Cortes MBE, and its members, from a cross section of Gibraltar’s philanthropic, business, legal and educational communities are Kishin Alwani, Dale Cruz, Nyreen Llamas, Peter Montegriffo, Charles Sacarello, Keri Scott and Maxi Torres.
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Its bankers are the Gibraltar International Bank. The John Mackintosh Hall is the leasehold of the John Mackintosh Educational Trust, which supports the project and is represented on the Foundation. The John Mackintosh Hall is managed on behalf of HM Government of Gibraltar by Gibraltar Cultural Services. The Gibraltar National Theatre design is progressing apace through support from HM Government of Gibraltar’s Ministry of Culture and a significant donation from the Kishin Alwani Foundation, with Gibraltar-based architects working with theatre specialists Charcoal Blue from the United Kingdom and the experienced technical team as Gibraltar Cultural Services. The Project obtained Outline Planning Permission in February 2022 and is ready to proceed, subject to a successful funding campaign.
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THE GIBRALTAR NATIONAL THEATRE AND CULTURAL HUB Gibraltarian sports investment has increased exponentially in the previous decade, to name a few key events admittance to UEFA and FIFA for our football, the hosting of the Island Games and continuing at the Commonwealth Games. The arts; however, have long been limited by the lack of a real theatre with space and technical support that will allow performers to fully express themselves. Gibraltar has a long and rich tradition in the performing arts. As long ago as the 1800’s a civilian theatre was built by public subscription on what is now Alameda Grand Parade. The Ince’s Hall added a military flavour to the tradition. With the right infrastructure and opportunities the varied cultural activities undertaken by thousands of young members of our community could flourish and reach new heights. If even now Gibraltar is able to achieve world championships in Dance, status as recognized actors and artists on the international stage, imagine the possibilities that would open with the right investment and what might be accomplished. The region of Gibraltar finds itself is also devoid of major theatrical facilities that can be accessed with the ease at which one could arrive here, this Cultural Hub would ascend to be a beacon of the arts and attract visitors and performers from around the world.
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ARCHITECTURAL APPROACH
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ARCHITECTURAL APPROACH The initial goal was twofold – firstly the expansion of the present John Mackintosh Hall Theatre, secondly the refurbishment and upgrade of the John Mackintosh Hall complex. Architectural studies quickly determined that when both aims are approached in unison the scope for achievement is far greater. Our approach is ambitious in seeing the potential of the building as a singular cultural hub for the community. For this all-peripheral activities need to be permanently relocated, and segments of the building need to be demolished in favour of new construction tailored for the 21st Century. All this with the added challenge of remaining honest and respectful to the integrity of the original building design. The solution has been simple in concept but complex in execution. Firstly, the original theatre volume is surgically removed. The freed space can be linked in with adjacent rear courtyards to provide the volume needed for a 900+ seat ‘National Theatre’. This new volume is to be tailored to suit the flexibility and range of performances to be housed. Its independence from the rest of the building allows for the height and scale of modern auditorium, fly-tower and backstage facilities needed for such a facility. All whilst respecting the exterior and heart of the building. This volume is the new centrepiece of the complex and the generator of all new internal planning. Around this volume existing facilities will continue to function, but these will be re-planned more efficiently, all growing from the Main Street entrance courtyard, which will continue to function as the ‘heart’ of the building.
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21ST CENTURY FACILITIES
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ARCHITECTURAL PLAN NEW FACILITIES TO INSPIRE, ATTRACT AND ENHANCE
The architecture aims to ensure that the planned environment suits the needs of the wider community and respects history, identity and the cultural heritage of the John Mackintosh Hall.
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MAPA DE GIBRALTAR, DÓNDE ESTÁ EN TEATRO
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GROUND/ FLOOR
MULTI PURPOSE PERFORMING ARTS SPACE: STUDIO C
CAFETERIA
MEETING ROOMS
ENTRANCE
CULTURE AGENCY
Coffee shop with WC
Five meeting rooms
Four doors
Talent workshop
RECEPTION
BOX OFFICE
EXHIBITION AREA
STUDIO THEATRE
General enquires
Ticket sales
Three exhibition rooms
Secondary theatre
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FIRST/ FLOOR
3120 M² NATIONAL THEATRE
NATIONAL THEATRE
STUDIO THEATRE
STAIRS
STAGE MANAGEMENT
Primary theatre
Secondary theatre
Accessway
Technical area
PUBLIC LIBRARY
WC
STUDY AREA
BACKSTAGE
National lending library
Public bathrooms
Quiet study area
Dressing rooms
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3120 m² NATIONAL THEATRE • • • • • • • • • •
900 to 1000 seater theatre. Can cater to a wide range of performances. New and improved specialist and industry standard facilities including a full fly-tower with motorised bars and backstage facilities. Disability friendly with access for all members of the public. Orchestra pit for up to 32 musicians. Able to cater for International touring companies. Professional Theatre technology and infrastructure. Professional lighting and audio equipment. 144m² new expanded stage. Facilities for live broadcast and e-Sports.
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670 m² NATIONAL LENDING LIBRARY • • • • • •
A modern facility, offering flexible and dynamic spaces that can cater for a variety of Library related activity. Extension to children’s section; a purpose-built area to accommodate youngsters' needs. Extension to Reference Library; quiet study area, individual booths. Improvements to existing offering, clearer layouts, curated book selections. New music and audio library. New and expanded computer zone.
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430 m² MULTI PURPOSE PERFORMING ARTS SPACE: STUDIO C • • •
New multi-functional wing for performances, workshops and conferences. 200 seater space with retractable seating. New facility for Community Use.
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310 m² VISUAL ARTS SPACES • • •
Flexible exhibition space, allowing for the creation of three separate areas if required. Accommodating all major national and cultural events. Glazed adjoining roof providing natural lighting.
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775 m² ADDITIONAL SPACE • • • • •
New broadcasting additional space to cater for live programming to include events like elections and other live broadcasts. New Theatre Terrace Bar, outdoor area overlooking Wellington Front and green area. Café and multipurpose area. Storage facilities. Meeting rooms for conferences, lectures, AGM’s, and other events.
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PATRON PACKAGES Your support is needed in order to transform this dream, and all the work done so far, into the incredible reality of the GIBRALTAR NATIONAL THEATRE. Please, contact nationaltheatre@culture.gov.gi or Tel +350 200 75669 for full details of funding opportunities which include: •
Naming rights for the Gibraltar National Theatre
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Naming rights for the Studio Theatre
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Naming rights for the Exhibition Centre
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Naming rights for the Library
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Naming rights for meeting rooms; and
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Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze Patronage packages which will be acknowledged in a prominent location and in promotional literature.
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CONTACT DETAILS CEO SEAMUS J BYRNE GIBRALTAR CULTURAL SERVICES 308 Main Street Gibraltar nationaltheatre@culture.gov.gi +350 200 75669
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THE GIBRALTAR NATIONAL THEATRE FOUNDATION Patron: HE the Governor Vice Admiral Sir David Steel KBE DL Trustees: Kishin Alwani John E. Cortes Dale Cruz Nyreen Llamas Peter C. Montegriffo Charles J. Sacarello Keri Scott Belvedere Trustees Ltd represented by Maxi Torres
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