Squeezed into a tight 10m slot on Waterloo Road, Backstage, The Old Vic’s new extension, manages to host a surprising range of functions: a double-height cafe space on the ground floor, a script library and writers’ room, a Clore Learning Centre, an events space and a roof terrace.

The site was acquired by The Old Vic in 2015, but it was not until 2019 that Haworth Tompkins’ competition-winning proposal gave form to the theatre’s ambitions. Comprising both a new extension and refurbishments to existing back-of-house areas, the £13.7m project delivers 1,250 sq m of extra space. This new floorspace will help The Old Vic to continue to serve patrons, artists, staff and the wider social mission of connecting communities to opportunities for learning and cultural exchange.

Backstage is a distinctly contemporary response to the main theatre building and the neighbouring grade II listed Wellington House. Lucy Picardo, director at Haworth Tompkins, explains that the visual approach “purposely does not try to replicate the grade Il* listed Old Vic theatre next door.