The 200-year-old Old Vic theatre has announced plans for a multi-million pound expansion.
A five-storey, £12m annex — featuring a learning centre for schools and colleges, a library of playtexts, back of house space, and a cafe-workspace — has been announced.
Most projects linked to the Old Vic currently take place off-site, due to lack of physical space. The theatre claims that The Annex will double the current number of people benefitting from its work each year.
The Old Vic's Executive Director, Kate Varah has called this a "once in a generation opportunity."
If it gets the go-ahead from Southwark and Lambeth councils (set to loan the money to the theatre), the extension should open in 2022.
The news comes as the Old Vic has revealed that it has appointed Glenda Jackson — recipient of two Academy Awards — as a new trustee. She received rave reviews for her performance as King Lear at the theatre, in 2016.
