Cambridge Arts Theatre closes for major revamps

The Cambridge Arts Theatre has closed for 2025 to allow for major refurbishments.

The Arts is embarking on the "most ambitious transformation" in its 90-year history, with a complete overhaul of the auditorium and technical infrastructure.

Thanks to multi-million pound gift from Lord David and Dame Susie Sainsbury via the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, work began on Monday 6 January 2025, following the final performance of the Christmas pantomime Cinderella.

Audiences are expected to return, following the first phase of works, in late autumn 2025.

The theatre has said the revamps will:

• Improve sightlines and acoustic quality,
• Enhance seat comfort and legroom,
• Enable physical accessibility,
• And bring the technical infrastructure up to industry standards.

In the second phase of works, a new 200-seat studio theatre will be constructed on our building’s roof, to host smaller-scale productions, community events and activities.

Staff at the Arts have described the plans as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity to programme exciting and ambitious new work, support emerging theatre-makers, and to invest in the cultural life of our city for generations to come."