2017 Theatre Renovations
The previous tenants take with them key items, leaving the theatre empty. The red velvet seats, chandeliers in the theatre and house together with some vital stage equipment and flying bars will all be removed and The Grange Festival extends its major fundraising efforts to ensure a high-quality refit in time for the new season. Founder supporters have already pledged £1.6million out of a total £3million target to reequip and refurbish the currently empty theatre and ensure that opera lovers can enjoy a broader range of performances than ever before at The Grange, in even better conditions than before.
As new tenants refurbish the theatre, the Baring family − which also owns the Estate in which the historic Greek revival mansion sits − has begun a re-landscaping project which aims to restore a number of key features in the park. Working closely with eminent landscape architect Kim Wilkie, the Barings aim to restore the parkland to its original Arcadian glory, opening-up vistas of the lake and creating a new drive into the park, to mirror the original approach to the house. These will ensure that The Grange Festival audiences have a new and enhanced experience of the unrivalled site.
Mark Baring, Landlord of The Grange Festival, says:
“We are much looking forward to working with the Grange Festival to ensure that a full season of opera will be presented in 2017 under the artistic leadership of Michael Chance. We are also fortunate that some key members of our former tenant’s staff have joined the Grange Festival to ensure the smooth running of the new company. As landlords we are excited by the innovative ideas for the Festival and delighted to be able to play our part by restoring the parkland to further increase the pleasure of an evening at The Grange.”
Michael Moody, General Manager of The Grange Festival says:
“This fundraising challenge will allow us to create a theatre fit for the twenty-first century needs of the audience as well as artistic teams. We are excited by the prospect of embracing this challenge and installing more comfortable seating, better back stage facilities and stage equipment for our directors that will enable their artistic visions to be presented to a world class standard. I want to thank the Baring family for their skill and generosity in reaching this position and giving us the opportunity to roll up our sleeves and do something truly magical in this unrivalled setting.”
Michael Chance, Artistic Director of The Grange Festival commented:
“The response from so many Patrons and Friends keen to support a bright and exciting future for this much-loved theatre has been heart-warming indeed. Our fundraising has started well and is reaching its targets as planned however the new challenge of equipping the theatre will require a fresh effort. The opportunity to create something that will captivate and entrance our audience is one we readily embrace. We hope many will join us and be a part of this new chapter in the life of the fabulous theatre that is The Grange”.
Opening in June 2017, The Grange Festival is dedicated to building on the great tradition of opera productions in the award-winning theatre of The Grange, Hampshire. Audiences will be able to enjoy a wider range of work there than ever before, with each new production bringing together carefully selected world-class artistic teams to create experiences of the highest quality.
In its first season, opening on 7 June 2017, The Grange Festival presents three operas that have never been staged at The Grange before: Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria, Bizet’s Carmen and Britten’s Albert Herring.
Related Articles
The Grange Festival 2025
Please welcome our new CEO
We are delighted to announce that Tyler Stoops has been appointed as our new CEO. He will be joining us on 3 June in time for the 2024 Festival.
Our interim Chair
Stay connected
Join the Grange Festival community and stay connected to a world of enchanting performances and exclusive events.