2:18pm Wednesday 14th February 2001
By Eleanor Scotchbrook
A MAJOR facelift for Harlow's Playhouse was unveiled to the public on Sunday the end of a £93,000 project to transform the main theatre.
The work took 28 days to complete and it is the first time the main auditorium has been refurbished in the theatre's near 30-year life.
General manager Laurence Sach said: "The Playhouse was first opened in November 1971. This is the first time the main auditorium has been refurbished so before now all the original features remained. They've served between 2.5m and 3m visitors. Not bad really."
To mark the transformation, a special gala event was held for the public, theatre supporters, contractors and members of Harlow Council.
All 400 audience members were invited on stage for the unveiling of the revamped auditorium before they found their seats for the performance.
Mr Sach added: "The audience don't often get the chance to get a picture of how the performers see things."
Included in the massive makeover, which was funded by Harlow Council, were new carpets and seating, fresh decorating, improved disabled access, additional hand rails and restructuring work.
The celebrations were started by performances from three local dance schools when Takin Steps, Harlow Ballet and the Brenda Taylor School of Dance took to the stage, followed by performances from the cast of last year's pantomime Sinbad and the cast of the musical The Little Shop of Horrors.
"The evening was a celebration of the young talent in Harlow as well as the development of the auditorium. It's a boost for the Playhouse's future and will mean a lot more comfort for our patrons," Mr Sach said.
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