Private School News

Sir Richard Eyre CBE centre stage at The Cheltenham Ladies’ College

Sir Richard Eyre CBE, former director of the Royal National Theatre, and prolific director of television, opera and film, formally opened the Cheltenham Ladies’ College new Performing Arts Centre, known as the Parabola Arts Centre, on 3rd October 2009.

The Parabola Arts Centre, situated in the middle of the town of Cheltenham, opposite the main entrance to the College offers pupils outstanding facilities for drama and music together with art exhibition space.

Designed by the Architect Tim Foster and built by Bristol based Willmott Dixon Construction, the Parabola Arts Centre is 328 seat auditorium built with minimalist contemporary detail. Prior to purchasing the site, College consulted English Heritage who were enthusiastic about the potential of the building which involved the renovation of an important historic building and the removal of a large 1970s extension. The brand new auditorium, constructed using local Bath stone, is linked via a glass walkway to the grade 11* listed Regency stucco villa now beautifully restored to its former glory to provide teaching space, a dance studio, video-editing suite and reception rooms.

At a total cost of £12.5 million, funded in part through generous donations, investment in facilities such as these is testament to a belief held within College of the central place of music, drama and art in the education of women to foster self-worth, to understand the human condition and to appreciate beauty.

The Centre will also be available to the local community to use. The Cheltenham Literature Festival will be enjoying the facilities at this year’s Festival from 9 – 18 October.

A full year of performances by pupils will include Romeo and Juliet, The Importance of Being Earnest, West Side Story and David Foxton’s play Rabbit along with musical recitals, concerts and plays written and directed by staff.