The Citizens Theatre (‘The Citz’) re-opened its doors in September 2025 after a large-scale refurbishment and extension.

The original, Victorian era auditorium, was refurbished and includes a re-raked stage, extended fly tower, new seating, new control rooms, a new ventilation system, and other building services.

A new extension was formed to wrap-around the auditorium. The extension includes a black-box studio theatre, studio rehearsal, foyer and bar/event space, two learning/event spaces, and a construction workshop.

Sandy Brown’s involvement with the project began in 2015 and included benchmarking acoustic measurements in the building to help determine the existing standards and the Client’s aspirations.

We provided acoustic design advice throughout the project, including the support of the planning application, and support of BREEAM acoustic credits. Input was also provided during the construction and included site inspection visits and acoustic tests on completion.

Key acoustic issues on the project included:

• maintaining the existing, good room acoustic quality of the auditorium
• reducing ambient noise levels within the auditorium, both from external sources, and from internal building services
• the provision of high standards of sound insulation, especially to the horizontally adjacent studio theatre and rehearsal room, and the vertically stacked learning/events spaces
• controlling noise ingress to the new performance and rehearsal spaces, and music noise egress from them
• provision of sound absorbing room finishes to support the use of spaces for performance, rehearsal, community uses, and music.