Hayles and Howe have broad experience of inspection, conservation and restoration of ornamental plasterwork and Scagliola in Theatres and public buildings throughout the world and specialise in sensitive remodelling of historic interiors to integrate modern technology

Theatre restoration has for many years been one of Hayles and Howe’s major interests.  As an international company they have enjoyed working on many of the worlds wonderful theatres helping to restore them to their former glories.

Restoration projects in Theatres often requires Hayles and Howe to carry out time consuming, accurate, technical, and careful research to find the original identity of the design and manufacture of the Theatre and its plasterwork.

The Conservation of Theatres is also a major part of Hayles and Howe’s expertise offering a ceiling safety certification and inspection service.  As most Theatres contain a broad mix of building materials collected from each era through which they have passed most old Theatres require some careful treatment to preserve their fibrous plasterwork.  The structure of a fibrous panel, being more than half composed of organic material attached to timber struts, leaves it highly vulnerable to attack by moisture and all forms of cellulose moulds and fungi. The most important part of fibrous conservation is therefore prevention via a regular inspection.  When completing an Inspection of a Theatre ceiling Hayles and Howe access the roof space behind the ceiling to assess its true condition, this space should be cleaned and the structure monitored regularly thus reducing fire damage and keeping the weight of the potential debris at a minimum.  The company will also assess the ventilation, moisture content and where possible any original suspension points of the ceiling and roof for any potential areas of concern.

Download the Theatre Restoration pdf for more information Or Contact:  Davidharrison@haylesandhowe.co.uk Martynwatchurst@haylesandhowe.co.uk

Theatres Hayles and Howe have worked on Internationally 

• The Hanover Theatre, USA - 2009 - Restoration of ornamental and flat plaster including the loge boxes and Auditorium in a 1908 Thomas Lamb theatre. 
• The Beacon Theatre, New York - 2009 - Exotic Ornamental Plasterwork repairs and restoration of the Scagliola entrance hall.
• Cheltenham Ladies College Theatre, Cheltenham - 2009 - Installation of decorative plasterwork in Tim Foster's new theatre.
• The Old Vic, London - 2009 - Refurbishment of the fibrous plaster box fronts which were carefully removed and taken to our workshops.  Here they were remade in fibre glass and re-installed in May.
• The Apollo, Victoria - 2009 - Rope access survey, external and internal
• The Apollo, Hammersmith - 2008 - Emergency repairs
• The Astoria 1 and 2 - 2008 - Plaster repairs to both theatres.
• The Leeds Grand - 2008 - Replacement of the decorative render scheme
• Dominion Dance Studio - 2008 - Refurbishment of the decorative light well in the foyer of the top studio
• Astoria  – 2008 - Survey and report
• King’s Theatre, Southsea - 2007 - Major restoration of this 95% original Frank Matcham Theatre.  Hayles and Howe have been involved in this project for many years see Press Release and Theatre Restoration pdf for more details
• Shaftesbury – 2007 – Restoration of auditorium dome to ensure safety after a ceiling Inspection and a Ceiling Certificate
• Harrogate Theatre – 2007 - Inspection and Ceiling Inspection
• Dominion Theatre – 2006 - Inspection and certification
• Leas Cliff Hall – 2006 Full survey and Ceiling certificate
• Palace Theatre Manchester – 2006 – Survey prompted by cracking in balcony fronts
• Odeon – 2006 – Inspection and minor remedial work
• Curzon Cinema -  2005 – Tin Plate Restoration Schedule researched and defined
• Everyman Cheltenham – 2005 – Report on plaster condition together with an exploration of the paint proscenium arch, to establish it to be scagliola
• Forum – 2005 – Ceiling Inspection and Certification
• National Theatre, Washington, District of Columbia  2004
• New Theatre Royal Portsmouth – 2004 – Removal of Balcony fronts and renovation of scagliola elements
• Royal Opera House, Scarborough – 2004 – Removal and storage of the proscenium arch prior to demolition of the building
• Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center, York, Pennsylvania 2004
• Hippodrome Performing Arts Center, Baltimore, Maryland  January 2004
• AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring, Maryland  2003
• Comedy Theatre – 2003 - Emergency repair
• Wyndhams Theatre – 2003 – Proscenium Arch repairs
• Theatre Royal Wakefield – 2003 – Survey Report and Ceiling Certification
• Harrogate Royal Hall – 2003 – Consultation, condition assessment, cost analysis, lincrusta/anaglypta assessment with Full Condition Report and recommendations Piccadilly – 2003 – Emergency Repair work during dark period
• Theatre Royal Stratford East – 2002 – Survey and condition report.
• Buxton Opera House – 2001 - Full refurbishment of a Frank Matcham Opera House  
• Blackpool Grand Theatre – 2001 - Full refurbishment of a Frank Matcham Theatre
• Gaiety Theatre, Isle of Man – 2001 -Frank Matcham masterpiece conserved and restored both internally and externally.  Hayles and Howe were involved with this project over a ten year period
• Apollo Hammersmith – 2000 - Refurbishment of Balcony fronts, proscenium arch and ceilings
• The New Victory Theatre, 42^nd Street, New York, NY  1998
• The Stanley Warner Theatre,12^th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington  
• The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden – 1997 - Conservation of 1850’s Auditorium plasterwork and the Royal Box. Complete refurbishment of auditorium plasterwork including the dome. The dome included hatches of 4 x 3m in fibre glass within the lattice section
• Regent Theatre, Stoke on Trent –Total restoration of 1930’s fibrous plaster interior
• Bristol Hippodrome Theatre – Fibrous plaster restoration behind ceiling dome
• Blackpool circus and ballroom
• Theatre Royal Newcastle – Introduction of steel guides to protect proscenium grille for the Royal Opera Company.  General refurbishment and redecoration of the proscenium arch.  A Frank Matcham Theatre.