The new Marlowe which incorporates a 1200 seat main auditorium with 2 balconies, stalls, orchestra pit and flytower, as well as a new 150 seat flexible format 2nd space is being built on former brownfield land, and will connect the new theatre to the banks of the nearby River Stour with public spaces and terraces. The 4,850sqm scheme lies in the heart of the historic city’s core nearby Canterbury Cathedral’s World Heritage Site.

Keith Williams said : “The redevelopment of the Marlowe Theatre is one of the most important current capital arts projects in this country. I am delighted that this critical point has been reached in its construction which leaves the project on track  for opening in the autumn next year. I believe that the new Marlowe will have a  transformative effect on Arts and Culture in the South-East, at the same  time endowing Canterbury with a truly exceptional new building. In these difficult economic times this is a very good news story indeed.”