UK - After almost 14 years, David Wilmore has left his job as head of the technical division at the Harrogate International Centre to concentrate full-time on his theatresearch theatre restoration practice. The theatresearch work has been expanding over the last few years working on projects that include the Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond (1788) and the Gaiety Theatre & Opera House on the Isle of Man (1900) and Wilmore felt that this was the right time to explore and develop other projects.

theatresearch has recently been involved with Hayles & Howe (specialist ornamental plasters) with the dismantling of the Royal Opera House in Scarborough. Prior to demolition the auditorium was dismantled and key elements carefully stored for future reconstruction in the same way that the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith and the Dunfermline Opera House were. It is hoped that the theatre will one day be rebuilt elsewhere, so anyone requiring a 1908 Edwardian theatre - take note!

The theatresearch practice is also currently involved with a number of projects including the Charles Phipps' Royal Theatre & Opera House, Northampton (1884), the Bertie Crewe's Palace Theatre, Redditch (1913) and Frank Matcham's Theatre Royal and Opera House in Wakefield (1894). Wilmore said: "We are now looking to concentrate exclusively on the restoration of historic theatres, developing conservation strategies and providing theatre consultancy services." The practice will be moving into new, larger office accommodation in the next few months where it will also be able to offer research and meeting facilities for other theatre historians, researchers and clients.

For further information, contact David Wilmore, Tel: +44 1423 780497.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)


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