For the busy receiving house, operated by Live Nation for Sunderland City Council and subject to a £4.5 million refit in 2004, the new curtains were "the icing on the cake" according to technical manager Mel James. The last set of new front curtains was installed in 1972.
The project was managed by James Wheelwright with Neal Cartwright, sewing workroom manager, overseeing the manufacturing process and working painstakingly on the final design, including making two site visits to ensure every minute detail was correct. Neal also co-ordinated the physical installation.
Joel's brief was to bring the curtains back into keeping with the theatre's original Edwardian style and ambience, which had been recreated in the auditorium during the 2004 refurbishment project. The two fully lined curtains measure 7m wide with a 9.5m drop and weigh 120 Kgs. The Pelmet is 13m wide with a 4m drop, weighing 50Kgs.
Both elements are made from specially dyed heavy velour fabric. The pelmet is inscribed with "1907" in ornate gold appliqué numbers. The border replaces the theatre's previously plain one, and has "done wonders for the general aesthetics of the auditorium" affirms Mel James.
(Jim Evans)
