The Harlequin Theatre & Cinema

Significance

The Harlequin is a multi-purpose theatre and arts venue located within the Warwick Quadrant Shopping Centre in Redhill. Designed as a cultural hub, the venue comprises a theatre, boutique cinema, meeting / function rooms, a café and exhibition space. The theatre auditorium is flat floored with retractable tiered seating, providing flexibility for the venue to host a wide range of live performance events. It also has an orchestra pit that can accommodate 30 musicians, and backstage accommodation for up to 40 performers.

The Harlequin is a popular venue within Redhill and has undergone several refurbishments since its opening in 1986.

In March 2020, the Harlequin was at the heart of the council’s coronavirus response when it was transformed into a community support centre to distribute food, medicines and essential supplies to residents in need during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As the pandemic continued, in March 20221, the theatre served the community further as a rapid Covid-19 testing centre.

Prior to its closure in 2023, further upgrade works had been planned highlighting the importance of this facility to its community.

Why is this theatre at risk?

The theatre was added to the Theatres at Risk Register in 2025.

The Harlequin closed in September 2023 as a precaution following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). The venue remains closed.

Detailed inspection of the RAAC panels took place in October 2024. A full conditions survey of the building was commissioned alongside this inspection and took place shortly after the RAAC inspection. The report showed that almost every panel in the flat roof, pitched roof and areas of the internal floor have been classed as ‘red’, which is critical risk. This means that, without significant remediation or removal of the RAAC panelling, the Harlequin must remain closed. Any remediation of the RAAC will impact on other areas of the building, for example services attached to the panels, and floor and ceiling fixtures and finishes etc. The cost of replacement of the RAAC therefore cannot be considered in isolation.

The situation at the Harlequin is further complicated by the venue’s location on the first floor of the Warwick Quadrant shopping centre, with some options potentially effecting the wider estate. However, the building’s managing agents have confirmed that the shops are not affected by the RAAC in the theatre because the first-floor slab that sits above the ground floor units and below the theatre and library is a solid reinforced concrete slab, not RAAC.

The cost to replace the panels and bring the theatre back into reuse has been reported to be around £10m. Reigate & Banstead Borough Council continues dialogue with the head leaseholder.

The scale, cost and implications of the various building surveys, together with an update on options for an interim performance space while the theatre is closed will be presented to the Council Executive on 30 January 2025 for consideration.

The future of the theatre remains uncertain with options likely to be of both significant cost and extensive timescale.Theatre potential

The Harlequin was a thriving theatre up until its closure in September 2023 with an active programme of both professional and community performance. There is enormous support from the local community for the Harlequin, and for the council to deliver alternative cultural provision while the theatre remains closed.

The council has provided some alternative space for performance since the Harlequin’s closure. In 2023 it relocated the Christmas pantomime to a purpose-built big top tent in the nearby Redhill Memorial Park. The council has also held pop-up events in the Belfry Shopping Centre, and outdoor theatre in neighbouring Reigate

The council says that it recognises the value of the arts and the role the Harlequin plays in the community, and that it will continue to explore options to provide alternative ways for the local community to engage with the arts and live performance.

Current situation

There is strong local support for the Harlequin to be repaired and reopened, including from the Harlequin Support Group (HSG) which was set up after the theatre closed and is formed of groups which have historically taken to the theatre’s stage. There is also clear support for the council to find an interim solution for the performing arts in Redhill while the Harlequin remains closed.

Theatres Trust has met with Reigate & Banstead Borough Council to discuss the situation both with the building and with regards ongoing cultural provision. It is understood that the council has been actively considering alternative scenarios and potential solutions prior to receipt of the detailed RAAC and conditions surveys reports.

In August 2024, due to the length of closure and continued uncertainty about the future of the theatre, the council announced that it would be ceasing interim cultural provision and instead focus on developing a business case for a medium-term cultural offering for the borough. This has resulted in the staff team at the theatre being reduced..

In October 2024, the council held engagement events across the borough to gather further information about the community needs relating to arts, cultural space and activities. From the responses received, there was strong community support for cultural reprovision. Respondents also noted the negative impact that the closure of the Harlequin has had on local businesses.

The feedback from the engagement events is to be considered as part of the options report to be brought to the Council Executive in January 2025. In addition to reviewing the future of the theatre, the council will also consider medium-term options for alternative facilities for local groups and societies to perform and for continued cultural provision within Redhill.

Theatres Trust will continue to offer support to the council to find a solution for the Harlequin that supports culture and live performance for the community of Redhill both in the medium and the long-term.

Images Theatres Trust