THE North West?s only in-the-round auditorium is preparing to open its doors after a ?6m restoration.
Liverpool?s Black-E cultural centre hopes to start public performances of dance, drama and music in October.
It follows the completion of the multi-million pound conversion first dreamt of more than 30 years ago.
The arts organisation, formerly known as the Blackie, describes the Great George Street centre as a ?new building within old walls?.
The grade II former congregational chapel at the gateway to Chinatown boasts five floors of arts spaces, gallery, offices, cafeteria, cr?che and changing rooms.
It includes the lower ground floor Chamber Theatre, a first-floor main space with a 27ft high ceiling and two levels of balconies and roof level offices and meeting rooms.
The refurbished galleries and theatre space have been in use for some time, with activities including weekly workshops with Senegalese master drummer Marmadou Diaw, youth art workshops and Tai Chi classes.
And 4,000 people came through the doors for activities during Chinese New Year.
div>
Co-director Bill Harpe said: ?The current building programme started in 2004 but we drew up the plans in 1973. It?s a case of persistence overcoming resistance.
?The city?s cultural strategy recognises the need for a performance place of medium scale, so we?re new but we?re not duplicating what the city has already got.?
more
Bookmarks