His Royal Highness The Earl Of Wessex Visits Newly Opened Reading Rep Theatre

Having been shortlisted for The Stage Awards 2022 Theatre Building of the Year award, Reading Rep Theatre, led by Founding Artistic Director Paul Stacey and Executive Director Nick Thompson, today announce a recent Royal visit from HRH The Earl of Wessex to the newly opened building. The prestigious visit to Reading’s new cultural community hub recognises the significance culture will play across the UK as we emerge from a period of isolation, and an opportunity to celebrate Reading’s new home for classic stories reimagined, a company rejuvenated, and a cultural hub revitalised.

Paul Stacey, Artistic Director, said today “It was an honour and a pleasure to welcome His Royal Highness to Reading Rep. As a passionate advocate for the performing arts, we were delighted to be able to share some of our work with him and demonstrate the huge potential of Reading Rep and the town's thriving cultural scene.”

Following a two-year fundraising campaign which raised over £1 million, the old Salvation Army building was transformed into a cultural hub for the community, complete with theatre bar, auditorium, back of house facilities, rehearsal and studio space.  Designed by David Hughes and led by Fuse Architects, over 2,000 people have visited the theatre since its opening in November 2021.

Its inaugural season Reading Rep: Reborn has seen the world première adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray written by Bruntwood Prize winner Phoebe Eclair-Powell and directed by RSC Associate Director Owen Horsley, locally born Beth Flintoff’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol, directed by Paul Stacey, and the season continues with Helen Eastman’s Alby The Penguin Saves the World that runs 6-18 April.