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Post by Stephen on Aug 19, 2018 15:14:18 GMT
I couldn't find another thread already made for this and wanted to ask...
As I very drunkenly strolled to the tube from Phoenix Arts last night I noticed that the billboards on the construction site before the tube station read "Nimax new 600 seat theatre" or something along those lines.
I had no idea about this until now! Is this old common knowledge!?
Please tell me more
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Post by sf on Aug 19, 2018 15:22:42 GMT
I couldn't find another thread already made for this and wanted to ask... As I very drunkenly strolled to the tube from Phoenix Arts last night I noticed that the billboards on the construction site before the tube station read "Nimax new 600 seat theatre" or something along those lines. I had no idea about this until now! Is this old common knowledge!? Please tell me more
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 19, 2018 15:24:21 GMT
Move over Menier Chocolate Factory, it’s time for the Branston Pickle Factory.
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Post by alece10 on Aug 19, 2018 16:01:27 GMT
I remember reading about that quite a while ago. I remember going to see a concert at The Astoria back along with Heatwave and Hi Tension. And anyone remember Bang next door?
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Post by Jon on Aug 19, 2018 16:08:23 GMT
Not opening until 2021 but it’s going to be a flexible venue so it’ll be able to adapt to different types of shows similar to the Sondheim
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Post by learfan on Aug 19, 2018 18:55:47 GMT
I couldn't find another thread already made for this and wanted to ask... As I very drunkenly strolled to the tube from Phoenix Arts last night I noticed that the billboards on the construction site before the tube station read "Nimax new 600 seat theatre" or something along those lines. I had no idea about this until now! Is this old common knowledge!? Please tell me more Very old. Kinda replaces the Astoria. As part of the TCR redevelopment Crossrail agreed to have a theatre. Doubt it will be open for a year or so. |
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Post by learfan on Aug 19, 2018 18:56:45 GMT
Not opening until 2021 but it’s going to be a flexible venue so it’ll be able to adapt to different types of shows similar to the Sondheim Really,That long? |
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Post by Phantom of London on Aug 19, 2018 21:05:04 GMT
Has the date been pushed back Tom 2021, thought it was going to open next year?
I also went to the old Astoria and saw a couple of heavy metal concerts there, back in the day.
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Post by Stephen on Aug 19, 2018 21:33:54 GMT
I suppose it's too early but i'm very interested to know what the programming will be like here. Similar idea to the Other Palace?
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Post by Jon on Aug 19, 2018 22:26:49 GMT
Has the date been pushed back Tom 2021, thought it was going to open next year? I also went to the old Astoria and saw a couple of heavy metal concerts there, back in the day. Derwent, who are the owners of what will be Soho Place, where Nimax's theatre is going to be based only got the site back from Crossrail this year and I think it's going to take a few years to build it. I suppose it's too early but i'm very interested to know what the programming will be like here. Similar idea to the Other Palace? I imagine it'll be mostly plays especially transfers from venues like the National, Almeida etc |
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Post by firefingers on Aug 20, 2018 9:12:32 GMT
Still very pissed off that this is the replacement for the Astoria we were promised when it was knocked down. We were promised a like for like gig venue. This new theatre is neither for gigs, nor does it have even remotely similar capacity (2000 seats down to 600). The Astoria was a very important venue, it was the right size for a band to just about afford to travel from the states to play, so many bands had their first UK gig there. The G-A-Y club nights were a massive part of the gay scene. The idea of a new small West End house excites me as a theatre fan but pisses me right off in many more ways.
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Post by Marwood on Aug 20, 2018 11:33:39 GMT
I’m also pissed off that the Astoria was knocked down for this, which sounds like a clone of all the other West End theatres within walking distance. I saw (among others) Primal Scream and LCD Soundsystem there and it was by far the best venue for rock concerts in central London, as it stands there is nothing of a reasonable size until you get to Camden, Shepherds Bush or Brixton if you want to see a reasonably popular band.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2018 12:21:38 GMT
Indeed. Of course the old venue wasn't demolished just because of the new development but because of the crossrail works, so this is collateral damage I guess. Presumably from a planning consent point of view, a "cultural space" is a "cultural space" and there's more money in running a high-end theatre than a venue like the Astoria. These days I'd much rather just go to venues where I can have a nice sit down  but it's a great shame this has gone from central London. |
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Post by Stephen on Aug 20, 2018 13:17:23 GMT
It also seems to me that the choice to use the same name isn't fitting as it's nothing like the original?
Surely 'Nimax Studios' or something makes more sense.
Perhaps I'm missing the point thought.
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Post by Jon on Aug 20, 2018 13:28:32 GMT
It also seems to me that the choice to use the same name isn't fitting as it's nothing like the original? Surely 'Nimax Studios' or something makes more sense. Perhaps I'm missing the point thought. I don’t think they’ve decided on a name yet, I wouldn’t mind Astoria but maybe Nimax will go for a new name, maybe after a playwright like Terrence Rattigan |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2018 13:40:24 GMT
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Post by n1david on Mar 13, 2019 15:47:59 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2019 18:06:50 GMT
Interesting, thanks!
The Stage article reckons this is a flexible theatre in the round, but the image on the blog post seems to contradict that!
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 13, 2019 18:57:11 GMT
I always assumed the new theatre would go to be the new flesh pit that was GAY but oh no its going to be a classy playhouse. Where is the fun in that?
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Post by learfan on Mar 13, 2019 20:05:40 GMT
two and half years, seems about par for the course here! |
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Post by Jon on Feb 27, 2022 1:38:45 GMT
Will be interesting to see when the new theatre opens plus what it will be called. I walked past it today and it looks near completion. My own guess is August or September, I assume Nimax is waiting to see when the Elizabeth Line opens first.
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Post by mouseinthetheatre on Feb 27, 2022 18:29:30 GMT
Hi all, long time lurker and first post: As far as I can tell these are the plans for the theatre: Ground floor: i.ibb.co/PwZBx8C/Screenshot-762.pngFirst floor: i.ibb.co/6nJdxG5/Screenshot-761.pngThird Floor: i.ibb.co/vjR5HRH/Screenshot-763.pngSide view: i.ibb.co/8DWdwXz/Screenshot-764.pngAlso looks like a rehearsal space on a higher floor From a planning report: At Site B the changes proposed are more extensive. They have largely been driven by Nimax who required improved flexibility in the theatre layout as well as necessary acoustic measures resulting from a greater understanding of the impact of the Crossrail Infrastructure abutting the building. The proposed alterations include:
i. Enlarging the theatre, re-planning the auditorium to improve acoustic isolation, and increasing the capacity from 350 seats to a maximum of 543 seats;
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Post by danb on Feb 27, 2022 20:26:14 GMT
I saw so many fantastic gigs at the Astoria (having the choice to get down and dirty downstairs or sit on a lit table upstairs). Some great NME tour nights with four up & coming bands on the bill (back when Pulp, Elastica, Gene & Supergrass were up and coming) all at the height of Britpop. Or the fantastic Dr John noodling away on his piano while his foxy ladies let rip with some banging bv’s. But mostly Suede’s last gig before they split in 2007. But it’s ok because they had to knock it down to make way for a high speed train line they can’t even afford to finish… #BORISOUT
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Post by Jon on Feb 27, 2022 21:00:51 GMT
I saw so many fantastic gigs at the Astoria (having the choice to get down and dirty downstairs or sit on a lit table upstairs). Some great NME tour nights with four up & coming bands on the bill (back when Pulp, Elastica, Gene & Supergrass were up and coming) all at the height of Britpop. Or the fantastic Dr John noodling away on his piano while his foxy ladies let rip with some banging bv’s. But mostly Suede’s last gig before they split in 2007. But it’s ok because they had to knock it down to make way for a high speed train line they can’t even afford to finish… #BORISOUT Not the politics thread. |
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Post by Mark on Jun 9, 2022 15:11:19 GMT
Walked past today. I see a Neon box office sign and they were doing some work on the facade. If not yet ready to open then they must be close to announcing something.
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but it's a great shame this has gone from central London. 
