The Leicester Performing Arts Centre, due to open in Spring 2008, is designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects and will replace the Leicester Haymarket Theatre, built in the 1970s. The innovative, glass building will allow people to see inside the building from the outside, including backstage activities like building sets. The center will include two auditoria, totalling 1,000 seats, and will be fitted with the latest theatre technologies, including complete automated power flying from Stage Technologies. The system will include BigTow winches and a MaxisID control system operated by Nomad control consoles.
The new venue, under construction in the heart of Leicester City, is part of the overall plan to revitalize and regenerate the city center and will become a symbolic landmark for cultural industries in the East Midlands. As well as a venue for performing arts and live music, the center will have a visual arts gallery, a digital media center, production workshop space, a dance studio and rehearsal rooms. This will create workspaces for artists and designers, while also improving external open spaces in the area.
Stage Technologies have worked with venues in regeneration programs in the past, such as The Sage Gateshead in Newcastle, and strongly support inclusive and accessible theatre, believing that it is one of the fundamental criteria when designing a new entertainment venue.