Wakefield's Centre for Creativity is now officially open

Almost 150 people filled Theatre Royal Wakefield’s new Centre for Creativity building for an evening of speeches, drinks and performances, marking their unique extension well and truly open.

Countless supporters who have donated to the project all joined together to admire the hard work and determination that has been put into the building on Westgate.

Katie Town, the executive director of Wakefield Theatre Royal, welcomed guests into the space. She was alongside Sir Rodney and Lady Anne Walker, whose generous support to the theatre has been recognised with the naming of the new studio space: The Walker Studio.

The ceremony also included a speech from the theatre’s chairman, Gill Galdins, and a performance by Joe Davis, a talented student of the Theatre Royal Performance Academy.

The grand opening came to a close with a ribbon cutting ceremony executed by ITV’s Calendar journalist, Sally Simpson.

Sally Simpson said: “It was a real pleasure to be a part of tonight’s celebration. What you have created here at Theatre Royal Wakefield is a real asset to the district as a whole. It’s a feather in the cap of everyone whose hard work has brought it to fruition.”

Executive director Katie Town added: “Over the last two years we have raised over one million pounds to this cause and it was such pleasure to give a big thank you to all those that have helped the theatre make this dream building a reality.

“This unique space will open so many doors for the Wakefield community and I’m excited that we can now open ours.”

The opening also gave people the first chance to see the Wall of Fame. A fundraising campaign was used to raise money for the space while adorning the interior wall with over 120 golden stars engraved with the donator’s name.

The Buy a Star campaign continues to raise funds for the fit out of the Walker Studio and there is still the opportunity to donate and see your name up on the wall alongside the likes of John Godber, Jason Donovan and Chris Kamara.

With the space now finally open, Theatre Royal Wakefield are in their last leg of fundraising. The funds raised from now will be aimed towards the technical equipment that is needed to bring the studio theatre fully to life.

To find out more information on how to make a donation, please visit theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk/support.