The scaffolding has gone and the countdown has begun to the reopening of the Bush Theatre after a £4.3m rebuild, which has transformed the venue alongside Shepherds Bush Market in Uxbridge Road.
In mid-March the arts centre - which is financially supported by Hammersmith & Fulham Council - bursts into life again with a full programme in the main 180-seat theatre and the new-look studio, and Cafe Bar (pictured).
The year-long revamp of the former library building is over. With the finishing touches being given to the building the Bush is set to relaunch on 18 March with a week-long housewarming celebrating the diversity of the Shepherds Bush area.
The major refurbishment was made possible by £1m of funding from H&F Council - as well as £2.5m from Arts Council England and donations from generous individuals, trusts and foundations.
The revamped building is more sustainable and fully accessible, with a new entrance, front-of-house area and exterior garden terrace. The transformation also adds a workshop for scenery construction, new dressing rooms, a flexible studio and rehearsal spaces.
The Bush Theatre began in 1972, in a hot, cramped space above a Shepherds Bush Green pub, before moving in 2012 to its new home around the corner in Uxbridge Road. Over the years it has won more than 100 awards, and developed a reputation for innovative and sometimes controversial productions.
Ticket prices at the Bush Theatre are kept deliberately low to allow more local people to enjoy shows.
