Our Vision
We commissioned Stanton Williams to help us ‘open up’ the Royal Opera House, with our building physically embodying our core values of creativity, excellence and inclusivity.
Key enhancements include:
- A new café and improved bars – relaxing spaces in the heart of London to grab a drink, whether or not you’re coming to a show, or enjoy a range of light bites. Free wifi is on offer.
- A refurbished restaurant – Enjoy a stunning meal in an iconic venue, whether or not you’re coming to a show.
- A redesigned Linbury Theatre – The West End’s newest and most intimate theatre.
- An improved Shop – a destination in its own right with a bespoke product offer.
- Exciting architectural redevelopment of our front of house spaces – New spaces that unite 19th century grandeur with 21st century elegance, brought to life with displays and collections drawing on the Royal Opera House’s heritage.
- A new Front of House programme – Taster and full-length live performance in our front of house areas, as well as workshops and interactive digital content. Find out more about our Daytime events.
Project team
Project Office
- Sarah Younger (Project Director)
- Belinda Cameron (Programme Manager – Performance)
- Sharmaine Collins (Programme Manager – Public)
- Tiago Domingues (Project Co-ordinator)
- Ray Naicker (Project Accountant)
- Martin Adams (Technical Manager)
- Tony Wilson (External Project Manager)
- Joe Green (External Project Manager)
- Juliet Price (External Project Manager)
- Sam Rogers (External Project Manager)
Design Team
- Stanton Williams (Architects)
- Studio Linse (Interior Designers - Level 5 & Furniture)
- Drinkall Dean (Interior Designers - Shop)
- Studio Fractal (Lighting Designers)
- Equals Consulting (External Project Management)
- Alexis Coussement (Lighting Designer - Paul Hamlyn Hall)
- All Clear Designs (Access Consultants)
- Arup (Services Engineers)
- Bickerdike Allen (Noise and Vibration Consultant)
- Charcoalblue (Theatre Consultants)
- Endpoint (Wayfinding Consultants)
- Fixation Networks (IT Consultant)
- Gardiner & Theobald (Cost Consultant)
- Gerald Eve (Planning Consultants)
- Kendrick Hobbs (Catering Consultant)
- The Planning Lab (Planning Consultants)
- Robert Bird Group (Structural Engineers)
- Rosebank Landscaping (Landscape Architects)
Open Up Advisory Committee
- Chair: Stuart Lipton
- Alex Beard CBE (CEO)
- Sir David Clementi
- Dr Genevieve Davies
- Sir Nicholas Hytner
- Joe Green (External Project Manager)
- Paul Morrell OBE
- Tony Wilson (External Project Manager)
- Sarah Younger (Open Up Project Manager)
Open Up Project Board
- Chair: Amanda Saunders (Director of Development and Enterprises)
- Alex Beard (Chief Executive)
- Jillian Barker (Director of Learning and Participation)
- Belinda Cameron (Open Up Programme Manager – Performance)
- Sharmaine Collins (Open Up Programme Manager – Public)
- Mark Dakin (Technical Director)
- Lindsey Glen (Head of Policy and Strategy)
- Joe Green (External Project Manager)
- Mindy Kilby (Director of Finance)
- Joe McFadden (Chief Technology Officer)
- Hazel Province (Director of Planning)
- Lucy Sinclair (Director of Audiences and Media)
- Heather Walker (Director of Operations)
- Tony Wilson (External Project Manager)
- Sarah Younger (Open Up Project Director)
Open Up Finance and Procurement Board
- Chair: Mindy Kilby (Director of Finance)
- Joe Green (External Project Manager)
- Sophie Henstridge (Senior Trusts and Foundations Manager)
- Neil Langford (Cost Consultant)
- Ray Naicker (Project Accountant)
- Lynn Oldfield (Head of Management Accounts)
- Tony Wilson (External Project Manager)
- Sarah Younger (Open Up Project Director)
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)