Roundhouse Theatre reopens.

10 Jun, 2006

Londons historic Roundhouse Theatre has reopened following a 29.7million revamp financed by English Heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Torquil Norman, the inventor of Polly Pocket dolls, who bought the decaying building in 1996. Originally built by the London and Birmingham Railways as a shed with a revolving platform for turning locomotives, the Roundhouse became a theatrical venue when playwright Arnold Wesker launched the Centre 42 complex in 1964. In the 1960s and 1970s the north London landmark hosted numerous gigs by famous bands such as The Doors, Pink Floyd and the Clash before closing down in 1983. The new-look Roundhouse has retained the original 160-year-old shed but air-conditioning and heating, new toilets, bars and restaurant facilities plus an underground youth training centre have been added.