Marina Theatre

The Marina Theatre stands in Lowestoft, Suffolk, on the site of the old Grove Estate. It began as a skating rink in the Victorian era before becoming a theatre in 1878. The building was rebuilt in 1901 and again in 1930, when it became a cinema. After closing in 1984, it reopened in 1988 under council ownership. The theatre now hosts West End shows, orchestral concerts and celebrity performances. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has been resident here since 2005. Acts like Lee Evans, Michael McIntyre and Sir Ken Dodd have appeared on stage. The theatre also presents opera, ballet and live cinema broadcasts from the Bolshoi and National Theatre. The Friends of the Marina Theatre help with fundraising and volunteer work. In 2011 a charitable trust took over management to secure its future. Inside, the refurbished auditorium seats 630 with restored mouldings and new seating. A café and gallery opened in 2013, linked to the theatre by a glass walkway. The cinema now shows digital films with a large screen and Dolby sound. A new entrance and lift provide better access for all visitors. The building also houses a community room and expanded box office.