Curtain lifts on new look Ramor Theatre

Complete refurbishment of the theatre.

The curtain has finally opened on the newly refurbished Ramor Theatre following its three year closure.

What started out as a forced Covid-19 hiatus back in 2020 soon snowballed into a complete refurbishment of the theatre itself and the neighbouring parochial house. The theatre end of the project finally opened to the public last week.

The Celt caught up with proud venue manager and skilled director Padraic McIntyre who showed us the new premises in all its glory.

“I’m so excited, it was exciting to see the plans but to see it coming to fruition and the way they married the old, the not so old and the brand new I think works really well together,” says Padraic, clearly ecstatic to finally show off the premises.

“I just think it’s an amazing facility to have, it will just be a hive of activity and a focal point for the town. I’m really delighted, and the staff are all delighted to be back as well.”

Outlining the extensive changes that have been made, Padraic enthused: “We’ve so much else - we’ve new dressing rooms, a new box office, the bar in particular creates a lot more room for the audience to mingle.”

Another new is the downstairs rehearsal room which is nestled below the Civic Centre.

“We can either host events there whether that’s literature, poetry readings that might have looked lost in the theatre and might only have had 30 or 40 odd, but for youth drama, for kids to come in and use that facility, for local amateur groups or for choirs, that’s one of the big pluses we have.”

Having mistakenly entered the building by walking down the side alley to what used to be the entrance, the extensive changes were apparent from the moment of arrival.

The impressive new glass entrance is located at the front of the complex, facing onto Virginia’s Main Street. An alleyway is now a large open plan foyer with the pebble dash exterior of the parochial house on display on one side, and the old stone of the former church on the other.

The use of different materials helps define the various spaces, and retain interest across the length of the complex. While the clever use of windows invites an element of nature into the premises, most effectively in brightening up the reception.

Glass partitions lead up the stairs, allowing guests to look up to the first level of the building from the entrance. A small bar greets those who make the climb, as well as a large area which was adorned with beautiful art by the talented Michelle Boyle at the time.

Padraic explained this foyer would offer an area for audience members to have a chat prior to their show, or as a welcomed break at the interval.

While this Celt reporter had spent many a night in the Ramor Theatre, taking in the new changes it was almost impossible to envision the old building which had gone before. It’s a theatre and exhibition space worthy of any bustling city.

The foyer of course leads onto the main event, the theatre itself. The doors open to immediately familiar territory: the theatre they know and love.

The stage and theatre remained largely untouched.

Padraic explained: “I’m really delighted they didn’t touch the actual theatre itself. I think it’s a unique room, loads of magic has happened there in the past. There’s history in there and to change anything or even play around with the walls of the church you could ruin the acoustics and the special thing we have.

“An awful lot of bands and musicians want to come and play here because of the acoustics, so I think it’s great we didn’t touch it.”

The sole important change made was to include two new disability bays at the top of the theatre seating, with the bay at the front also retained.

In the past Padraic felt those with disabilities did not receive the same experience as other guests as they were unable to reach the bar or use the toilet facilities due to the steps leading to these amenities. Now, this is not an issue.

Leaving the theatre behind, Padraic escorted the Celt back downstairs bringing us into the various dressing rooms and other facilities for the acts to use.

He explained all acts would be welcomed in the old theatre entrance and would be kept completely separated from the general public.

As the tour continued, various locals were spotted peeping around the new premises, all of whom Padraic met with a welcoming smile.

“We did this for them,” says Padraic, commenting on how the locals feel free to roam the building and inspect the changes.

“All these people are our good customers, they would have been here two or three nights a week.”

The manager seems confident the changes will bring a new lease of life to the already popular premises.

“We had a very loyal customer base here - when you look at other theatres around the country we did extremely well. People loved coming to the Ramor, but I think there will be initial excitement for people to see it.

“There will be as many coming to see the building as there are for the show they want to see.”