Transforming the Playhouse: an inside look at the Kit Kat Club project

At last week's Royal Institute of British Architects Awards, the redesign of the Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre was one of 30 projects to win a 2023 RIBA National Award.

In light of this success, we caught up with ATG's Group Property Development Director, David Andrews, to learn more about the planning and implementation of the transformational project.??

ATG: How does it feel to be recognised in the world of architecture with not just a RIBA National Award but also the Civic Trust Award won earlier this year?

David: Whilst of an architectural nature (all credit to architects Carmody Groarke and theatre consultants Charcoalblue for their design roles), I view this very much as a collective award for the project team. Many excellent designers and builders can go their whole careers without this kind of national recognition for a project, so for everyone to be recognised in this way, after all of the hard work, it really is quite special.

ATG: Can you describe what it’s like to work on projects transforming but preserving iconic theatre spaces?

David: Whilst we might think that theatre buildings rarely change hands, in truth many of our theatres already have over 100 years of stories to tell, and will go on to outlive us all. For this reason I always think of our role as custodians of these amazingly creative and cultural spaces.??

We have a unique responsibility to balance the preservation of these historically rich venues, and also to continue to considerately evolve them so that they retain their purpose in supporting the very best creativity on their stages and providing the very best experiences for as many people as possible.??

ATG: What does the architecture of the Kit Kat Club bring to the production of Cabaret?

David: I think anyone that has seen the production would say it is outstanding on its own. However, there is no doubt that the architecture of the new Kit Kat Club enhances the show even more so.??

This starts as soon as you enter the building where we have opened up and relocated spaces within the basement to create the Weimar-esque, 1920s Berlin environment. You wouldn’t know from looking at it, but many structural acrobatics have unlocked and created the right environment to deliver the project’s vision, supporting the alterations in the auditorium, working around historic listed stage machinery and redirecting the weight of seven stories above. In the auditorium it is all about the intimacy and feeling that is created from being part of this unexpected and unrecognisable performance space.??

The energy created by the arrangement is truly special and because of painstaking analysis and attention to detail, there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. Even in the back row of the upper circle you can’t help but feel transfixed. Our collective design team really have captured the essence of the production team’s vision, adding in their bespoke, thoughtful magic which only helps to amplify the action.?

ATG: In your role as Group Property Development Director, what was your contribution to the Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse project, and how did the team work together?

David: It was my responsibility to ensure that we appointed the right people in the right places across the project team including architects, engineers, theatre consultants, quantity surveyors, safety advisors, statutory consultees, planners and the main contractor. And then to ensure that together we successfully delivered the project.?

Of course, I was not the only person. Much credit must go to Gary Beestone ( GBA ), who we engaged as Project Director. Whereas he has a strong production background, mine is construction, so a large part of my role involved navigating the balance between oversight, direction and trust. Being there to help the team let off some steam, or at an overnight shift or Saturday morning at short notice to understand specific site challenges was sometimes what was needed to maintain the right atmosphere and common goal mentality. I definitely learnt a lot along the way!?

ATG: Transforming a theatre during the height of the Covid pandemic was a bold step by ATG – what led to this decision, and how pleased are you with its results?

David: There is no doubt in my mind that Mark Cornell, ATG's CEO, deserves the lion’s share of credit for making the whole Kit Kat Club and Cabaret project happen. No one wants to recall the depths of 2020, but whilst many people were out on furlough, I remember Mark appearing with a plastic wallet labelled ‘big ideas’. I’m not at liberty to share what some of the others were but it was clear that some exciting and ambitious ideas were being cooked up.??

The Kit Kat Club turned out to be one of them. I know we were keen to come out of the pandemic with a bang – for the sake of so many people across ATG, West End businesses, and live entertainment in general. To deliver the project successfully on budget, and in a remarkably short time, was a real testament to everyone involved. Thinking about all this, I realise it’s time for me to go see the show again!?

Many thanks to David Andrews for this insightful exploration of the Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse project! To read the full citation from RIBA's 2023 Jury, visit the RIBA Journal.