The Quarry Theatre at St Lukes, Bedford School

Theatreplan undertook the project to renovate and convert a Grade II listed Moravian Church, St. Luke’s - into a new 300-seat performing arts centre, for Bedford School. Theatreplan worked as part of a multi-disciplinary design team led by Foster Wilson Architects.

The new galleried theatre is a flat-floored flexible studio space created by inserting a new steel structure within the volume of the existing church. The existing balcony was retained but extended forward and re-tiered, to provide good sightlines to the stage area. Two levels of new galleries were inserted at the sides, together with high level suspensions for scenery and stage lighting.

A new single storey rear extension was added to provide foyer and back stage facilities, radiating around the apsidal end of the chancel and opening onto a landscaped garden. The theatre now hosts a wide range of music, theatre and cinema events for the school and local community.