Building the New Vic Theatre: A Lifelong Passion Project
'I had the best time of my life building the New Vic theatre.' This statement encapsulates the passion and dedication of John Sambrook, the architect behind one of Europe's most unique theatre buildings. Almost 40 years after its construction, the New Vic in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, remains a testament to Sambrook's vision and innovation.
The New Vic was a groundbreaking project, taking four years to plan and another two to build. It was the first of its kind in Europe, and one of only a handful in the UK, designed as a purpose-built theatre in-the-round. This design meant that no audience member was more than 28 feet away from the main acting area, creating an immersive experience for all.
Sambrook worked closely with the late theatre director Peter Cheeseman, who is credited with pioneering theatre in-the-round in the UK. Together, they faced the challenge of designing a theatre with no existing blueprints or previous examples to follow. Cheeseman's decree that no audience member should be more than 28 feet away from the main acting area was a key consideration in the design process.
The theatre company that took on the New Vic previously operated from a former Victorian cinema in Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent. Designing the New Vic was a unique challenge, but Sambrook thoroughly enjoyed the process. He described it as 'absolutely brilliant', and the opening night was 'wonderful'. Seeing his designs come to life and work as intended was a big satisfaction.
The New Vic's ethos was to create a theatre 'by local people, for local people, but also representing local voices and local people on the national and international stage', according to its creative director, Theresa Heskins. Heskins describes her job as 'the best job in the world', and her own time at the theatre is set to reach two decades just a few months after the theatre's milestone anniversary in 2026.
The theatre's setup is still considered highly unusual today. There is no part of the stage where you can hide and not be seen by the audience, creating an intimate and immersive experience. The New Vic's setup encourages the audience to feel included in the performance, with performers effectively becoming part of the audience.
The New Vic has hosted teams from other theatres who have visited to learn from its unique setup and plan their own venues. Its production of 'Marvellous' was the opening production at Soho Place in London when it launched in 2022 as the first new-build West End theatre in 50 years. The New Vic's impact and influence continue to be felt in the world of theatre, and its unique design remains a source of inspiration and fascination for all involved.
