Something Magical is Happening in St Ives – £1.6 Million Theatre Transformation Revealed

Theatre reopens with The Wizard of Oz after 14-month regeneration

St Ives Theatre will reopen on Monday 7th April following a major £1.6 million refurbishment, bringing a fresh lease of life to the historic venue after 14 months of extensive work.

The theatre, home to the award-winning youth company Kidz R Us, will mark the occasion with a run of The Wizard of Oz, which will take to the stage until 17th April.

📷Auditorium

New look, same heart

The transformation was made possible thanks to funding from the £19.9 million St Ives Town Deal Fund. Originally a Wesley Chapel, the building has been carefully regenerated to preserve its heritage while securing its future as a key performing arts venue for the area.

Among the changes are a refurbished auditorium, upgraded heating and ventilation systems, and a new roof structure. The west side of the building has been extended to include a brand new café space – open during the day and turning into a café-bar in the evening.

Other improvements include modernised facilities, new office spaces, enhanced insulation, and restored windows to improve both the look and energy efficiency of the building.

Angela Skitt, trustee and executive producer at St Ives Theatre, said:

“This regeneration is about much more than bricks and mortar. With the support of Town Deal funding, we can further broaden the appeal of St Ives Theatre, ensuring it continues to inspire and nurture young people, entertain audiences, and provide a vibrant cultural hub for the town.”

📷Wizard of Oz Cast

A new chapter for local performing arts

For 28 years, the charity-owned and operated theatre has played a key role in the town’s creative life, hosting more than 1,500 performances to over 400,000 audience members.

The investment now sets the stage for an expanded offering – from daytime musical theatre workshops for visitors, to outreach programmes for schools and full-time jobs within the theatre.

It’s not just Kidz R Us who’ll benefit. The improvements also mean the venue can welcome touring groups and visiting performers, making it a standout mid-sized venue in West Cornwall.

Angela added:

“Our performers are thrilled to be returning to the stage, and we can’t wait to welcome audiences back as we embark on this exciting new era for St Ives Theatre.
“The Wizard of Oz production has been looking just amazing in rehearsals and will run through the Easter holidays, and we are already working on Footloose The Musical for May half term.”

For ticket bookings, upcoming shows or information on hiring the venue, visit kidzrus.net.

📷St Ives Theatre