Citex has completed work to transform a one hundred-year-old semi-derelict former power station into a temporary theatre for a season of Shakespeare (as pictured).

Citex came on board in January to manage the fast-track £750,000 scheme when it became apparent that the proposed works required a specialist consultant. Citex successfully ensured that the building located in Shoreditch was ready ahead of schedule and in time to see the first performance of Richard II take place at the end of March.

Anthony Manning, spokesperson at Citex, commented: "The power station had already been converted into the Gainsborough film studios in the 1930s. It was where Hitchcock filmed 'The Lady Vanishes' but since the 1950s it has been used as a warehouse and finally fell into disuse."

"Now we've transformed it to create an 800-seat theatre. The work has involved removing entire floors to form the auditorium, creating a dramatic scenic feature in the wall at the rear of the stage and installing both front- and back-of-house facilities."

New electrical, heating and drainage systems plus seating galleries and access stairways are being constructed as part of the scheme. Citex has worked for a number of theatre clients, including Sadlers Wells, The Royal Court and The Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

(* John of Gaunt speaking in Act I Scene iii of Richard II)

Anna Lagervist (and Richard Byatt).