© 2025 - St Ives Town Deal
Originally formed by Phil Barnett in 1994 to encourage young people to get involved in the performing arts and support their development and the wider community, Kids R Us now work with around 100 children, teenagers and young adults a year.
During the past 30 years they have staged more than 1500 performances in the theatre and won numerous awards.
Led by Kidz R Us, the aim of the project to refurbish and upgrade of the existing theatre was to provide an extended auditorium and new cafe / bar and reception area to support the future sustainability of the theatre.
As well as saving a historic building, the project will help to develop the existing theatre into a leading tourist attraction for the town, lengthening the season with more performances, daytime workshops and outreach programmes for schools.
It will also provide a facility for touring theatrical companies; improve the visitor experience and support the further expansion of theatre opportunities for local children and young people.
This will help to provide more permanent jobs and support the charity in its aims of introducing young performers and young audiences to the performing arts.
LATEST PROJECT NEWS
The theatre company finally moved back into their transformed theatre building in March 2025.
Completing the extensive renovation and refurbishment project has been a complex and challenging project.
Works included refurbishing the roof, replacing or repairing and painting all windows, reworking the stained-glass windows, replacing the ceiling in the auditorium, installing new wall insulation, air circulation and heating systems and extending the café which officially opened at the end of May 2025.
To celebrate its re-opening, the theatre hosted a successful run of Wizard of Oz over the Easter season, with more performances due to take place in the summer.
Rehearsals have also been taking place for the next production – Footloose.
© 2025 - St Ives Town Deal