Seating's Second Act with Race Furniture

As part of its 80th anniversary celebrations, Race Furniture, a leader in high-quality seating solutions has chosen Theatres Trust as its partner for Seating’s Second Act, a new initiative to upgrade the seating in a selected small-scale theatre.

The award

Race Furniture has long been synonymous with quality, innovation, and craftsmanship, providing seating solutions for some of the UK’s most iconic performance venues, including the Royal Opera House, Cadogan Hall, and the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle.

Seating’s Second Act offers the opportunity for one small theatre to have a full auditorium seating refurbishment, enhancing the audience experience while supporting the cultural and creative heart of its local community.

Who can apply

We welcome applications from theatre venues across the UK, whether voluntarily or professionally run, that meet the following criteria:

  • Present at least 30 performances of live public performance (theatre, dance, comedy, musicals) each year.
  • Own the building outright or have a lease with at least five years left to run.
  • Have the permission of the property owner (where applicable) to do the work required.
  • Not be an organisation that is primarily a cinema or music venue.
  • Have an auditorium/performance space of up to 200 seats.
  • Make their theatre space available for refurbishment for an agreed timeframe between September and December 2025.

How to apply

We've put together guidance notes to help you make your application. 

When you are ready to apply, please complete the online application form.

The deadline for applications is Monday 28 April.