Our Exciting Capital Development Project
Since starting in a room above the pub in 1971, and moving into our much-loved theatre-in-the-round in 1991, the Orange Tree has grown with the support of you – our audiences, artists, and our community.
Together we’ve created a theatre that is intimate, bold, and welcoming.
Now, we need your help to take the next step.
2026 will see us transform our building to be more accessible, sustainable, and truly a ‘Theatre for Everyone’.
Fundraising Update
How You Can Support Today
Make a Donation
Your donation today will help transform the OT into a truly accessible and welcoming theatre for generations to come.
Every pound counts – whether you give £1 or £1,000, you’ll be joining hundreds of others making this change possible.
Give today and be part of the story.
Add Your Name
Add your name – or honour someone special – with a leaf on our new Orange Tree installation.
Your name will live at the heart of the OT for at least 10 years, seen by thousands of visitors , side by side with others who care deeply about the OT.
A lasting legacy of your love for the theatre.
Champion Challenge
Be a Champion for the OT!
Host a quiz night, run a race, or bake a cake – whatever inspires you – and use our new donanations app to ask your friends and family to help transform the Orange Tree for future generations.
Every Champion makes a big difference.
About the Project
Our iconic auditorium will remain unchanged – preserving the warmth and intimacy that has defined the OT. However, in our audience consultation in 2022, you raised issues around accessibility, cramped space, and lack of toilet facilities in our historic building.
This development transforms our theatre to enhance accessibility, comfort, and sustainability, to ensure that everyone can feel truly at home here.
We have commissioned Allies and Morrison as the architect for the project, which will put accessibility at the heart of the building, improving the experience both front of house and backstage. We plan to continue to welcome audiences throughout the construction, with entry temporarily through the scene dock, just as we did during the pandemic.
Impact
Transforming access
No steps at the entrance, new lift & wheelchair access, for the first time everyone can enter through the same front door.
Creating a welcoming space
Improving facilities with additional restrooms, more space for audiences, community participants & events.
Investing in our local community
Protecting the cultural heritage of Richmond and positively impacting our local economy.
Embedding sustainability
Reducing our carbon footprint in our front-of-house and backstage spaces.
Latest Updates
Development FAQs
Why is the development happening?
Over the years, we’ve received valuable feedback from our audiences about how we can improve the accessibility and functionality of the Orange Tree Theatre’s front of house, especially concerns about the number of stairs.
By redesigning our front building, we aim to create a more accessible entrance & foyer while preserving the warm, inclusive atmosphere that defines the OT for future generations.
Will the theatre remain open throughout?
Mostly! Performances, OT Extras, and fundraising events will continue throughout the development. During this time, we’ll use the scene dock entrance – just as we did during the pandemic – to ensure your visit remains as smooth and enjoyable as ever. We will move some matinees to 4pm and will have some off-site performances, We will close for a short period for works to the entrance of the auditorium.
How will I enter the theatre during construction?
Entry will be through our scene dock door adjacent to the current staircase, as was done during our pandemic reopening.
When will the theatre 're-open'?
We anticipate completing construction early 2027. We will keep our audiences informed with regular updates as the project progresses.
Will there be more toilets?
Yes. We’re adding one more female toilet, one additional accessible toilet, and one additional gender-neutral toilet to better serve our audiences.
Will the auditorium change? Will seating capacity stay the same?
No changes will be made to the auditorium beyond the entrance and additional space for wheelchair users. It will retain its current capacity and preserve the OT’s signature intimate, in-the-round experience.
Your Visit FAQs
Where do I enter the theatre? Is this entrance accessible?
From 9 March, audiences will enter the theatre via our scene dock entrance (anyone who visited us during the pandemic may remember using this entrance then) which is to the left of where the theatre’s steps used to be and where our hoarding is currently. There will be signage outside the theatre guiding the way.
Our pre-show box office will be just inside the scene dock entrance, where one of our lovely team members will be on hand to check your tickets and show you through to the auditorium which remains exactly the same.
This entrance is step-free; however, if you are a wheelchair user you will need to use the entrance via the carpark in order to access the wheelchair accessible seats within the auditorium. Please contact our box office team (via email or on 020 8940 3633) to book access tickets, including wheelchair seats
How do I get to my seat if I’m sitting in the balcony area?
Audiences seated in the balcony will enter the theatre via the main dock door entrance, the same as audiences sitting on the lower level. They will then be directed across the auditorium to the opposite corner door, through which there is a set of stairs leading to the upper level (18 steps) and a door which accesses the balcony. There will be signage and Front of House staff on hand to help direct you to your seats.
What time does the theatre open? What time does the auditorium open?
The theatre will open 45 minutes before the show is due to start. Entrance to the auditorium will also open at this time so you can go straight in to take your seats.
Where are the toilets? How many are there? What about an accessible toilet?
During our building development our usual toilets will be out of action. Instead there are six toilets housed in what we call the Attenborough Room. The Attenborough Room is on the upper level and is accessed via the balcony. For those seated on the balcony, there is clear signage showing the route to the door through to the toilets. For those seated on the ground level, please exit the auditorium through the doors directly opposite the entrance, follow the signs up the stairs, enter the door to the balcony, and follow the signage. We will be operating a one-way system in the balcony level in order to manage congestion.
Until late March our existing accessible toilet will not be available. Instead, the accessible bathroom will now be located in the OT’s Bank building (the large orange building on the corner right next to the theatre), accessible via a lift. For each performance, there will be a member of our front of house team available to assist anybody who needs to use the accessible facilities. Please let us know when you arrive if you require the accessible bathroom.
Where can I wait before the auditorium opens?
As the auditorium opens at the same time as the theatre entrance, audiences can go straight in to take their seats. Whilst the building work is taking place we do not have a bar area so we unfortunately do not have anywhere other than the auditorium for audiences to wait until the show begins.
We can recommend our friends Bacco across the road for a pre-show drink if you arrive before the theatre has opened.
If I’m waiting outside is there cover?
There is no cover outside the theatre; we recommend arriving in good time to avoid last minute queuing. We understand of course that this is unavoidable sometimes, and if there is a queue and it happens to be raining, we have large umbrellas to keep you dry and will do our best to get everyone in and seated as quickly as possible.
Where do I go to get a drink or something to eat pre-show or in the interval?
Our bar may not be in action during our building work but we’d never dream of letting our audiences go hungry and thirsty…
We’ll be operating a special drinks trolley with an array of drinks and snacks available to buy pre show and in the interval. The trolley will be situated in the auditorium.
You’ll be able to pre-order drinks for the interval AND for before the show via your pre-show text message, or you can pre-order interval drinks from our lovely team when you arrive.
Can I pre-order my interval drinks like normal? Where will I pick them up from?
You absolutely can order your interval drinks like normal; what’s more, you don’t have to pick them up – they will be delivered to you in your seat at the beginning of the interval. No queuing, no waiting, no fuss.
You’ll also be able to order drinks pre-show as well, which will be waiting for you on your seat – the perfect way to kick off your theatre trip!
To order either pre-show or interval drinks (or both!) keep an eye out for your pre-show text message which includes a link to our pre-ordering site, or you can pre-order interval drinks from our bar team before the show.
What food and drink is on offer?
Please see our menu for full details.
Thank You
Building the Next Chapter
We are deeply grateful to the supporters of our capital campaign
Hayburn Trust
Garfield Weston Foundation
Backstage Trust
The Devey Family
Richard Buxton
Linda Christmas
Greg Dyke & Sue Howes
Louise Fluker
Maggie & Andrew Gallagher
Judy Gibbons
Selina & David Marks
Sue Salsbury
Duncan & Kate Tatton-Brown
Trevor Coudrey
ShareGift
Marek Wakar
Grantscape
29th May 1961 Charitable Trust
Phil & Fiona Green
Laurence & Neil Monnery
Elizabeth Pryce
Mike Staunton
Tamasin Little
Claire O’Donnell & Simon Scott
Dame Marit Mohn & Robert Westlake
Paul Appleton & Kate Proudman
Ros & Alan Haigh
Melanie J Johnson
Sue Kubly
Doris & Mike Lozowski
Eva Skorski & Peter Griffiths
New Orange Tree Theatre Trust
Anonymous Donor Trust
Julia & Nicholas Bailey
Lesley Morris
Jane Hunt
The Richmond Society
Anne Sebba
Cressida Strauss
Sir David & Lady Suchet
Ros & Derek Sweeting
… and all those who have supported the capital project – whether by adding your name to our installation, giving anonymously, or contributing in other generous ways – thank you. Your belief in the Orange Tree is helping to shape its next chapter.
Contact
Have a question, comment, or enquiry? We’d love to hear from you! Please fill in the form below and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.