The Olympus Theatre on Gloucester’s Barton Street has seen a number of reincarnations over the years. But, its latest project to bring the derelict theatre back to its former 1920s glory has been given a welcome boost, following the news that Simon Pegg is now on board as the project’s patron.
Working alongside long-time patron of the theatre, Jeremy Irons, the project has already gained incredible traction, securing 450 theatre seats from the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which are due to arrive in Gloucester at the start of 2019.
On a post on its Facebook page, a spokesperson for the Olympus Theatre said: ‘I cannot tell you how pleased I am. This helps the project connect with the youth who know Simon is a local boy from Brockworth. What a great Christmas present!’
The theatre has an interesting history and was originally known as Gloucester Picturedrome, when it was used as a 700-seat cinema. From 1962 the venue became a bingo hall, before being transformed into the New Olympus Theatre in the mid-1980s under ownership of the Gloucester Operatic and Dramatic Society (GODS).
During the early 1990s, the Challenge Anneka team completed a refurbishment of the theatre, but GODS were forced to sell the theatre in 2007 because of its high maintenance costs.
In more recent years, the theatre reformed to its original name when a local businessman took over the theatre, but during 2018 the refurbishment project backed by Gloucester Arts Council has seen ownership returned to the community.
For more information call Olympus Theatre on 07786 177501.
