A major refurbishment programme at the Grade II listed Winchester Theatre Royal has benefited from a brand new installation of seating from market leading specialist Race Furniture.

Race designed and manufactured the 420 seats to integrate with the sumptuous interior. Plaster mouldings and extensive gilding in the 80 years old theatre were also returned to their former glory in keeping with the building's cine-variety theatre origins.

An array of colours incorporating five hues of red and pink was selected by a leading colourist for the chairs. The fabric for the fully upholstered seating was dyed to the bespoke requirement by Race to create the luxururious feel of the auditorium.

With the theatre expecting a total of 100,000 attendances on its seats over the next few months Race worked closely with the architects, Burrell Foley Fischer and the WinchesterTheatre Fund to ensure that the seat design met all requirements in terms of sight-lines, comfort and aesthetics. The balcony was respaced to improve comfort levels in this area and in order to provide a greater sense of security for the steep rake, Race heighted the seat backs of this section.

"This project was an excellent demonstration of how Race Furniture works in conjunction with architects and designers using the latest in technology and design and yet never compromising the style of a period setting," said Paul Williams, Commercial Director, Race Furniture.