Bespoke artwork revealed for Theatre's new bar The Green Room by Beth ‘Bobo’ Travers

Innovative new artwork has been showcased by Newcastle Theatre Royal in a behind-the-scenes reveal of its new public bar The Green Room.

The theatre has partnered with award-winning artist Beth Travers of BOBO1325 to illustrate key feature walls inside the new hospitality space in 11 Market Street. The artwork consists of provocative and captivating collections of bespoke paintings, intricately designed to mark key parts of the landmark theatre’s long history. It has been printed on scenic wallpapers which now hang inside the space formerly known as DatBar and provides a unique and dramatic focal point to members of the public and theatregoers.

Beth has worked with venues in the North East, notably Sachins Indian Restaurant and Leila Lily’s in Newcastle, and Little Lobo sites in Whitley Bay and Gosforth. Her Shakespeare-inspired work took over the entryways and feature points within the London and Birmingham Grand Designs Live shows in 2024 to celebrate the 25th year. She won Gold Award at Fespa Printeriors with Ferndale, and Before They Pass Away, for Leila Lily’s. She was winner of Northern Design Awards for Yotel and Motley Bar in Manchester; and LuxeLife Hospitality Awards for design work.

Beth said: “If someone told 10-year-old me watching the pantomime at the Theatre Royal that one day I would be designing for them, I’d have laughed. Yet here we are, in The Green Room where Regency meets mischief, turning the walls into wonderful stories that have been created from the Theatre’s archives.

“Theatre is escapism. It’s where art, truth and fantasy collide. Ater working closely with the theatre team, Design North and MawsonKerr, The Green Room’s scenic wallpaper came to life: Youth, Love, Folly, Final Act and IYKYK (if you know, you know) have been designed for those who want to live within the stories of these four walls for just a little bit longer.”

The theatre has been working with architects MawsonKerr and interior designers Design North, who created the visual strategy for the theatre’s new coffee and wine bar 100 Grey Street, which opened in December and is located at the front right of the building in Grey Street. Contractors Meldrum Facilities Ltd started work in  Market Street in April, stripping out fixtures and fittings, remodelling and decorating. The logo for The Green Room, signage and branding was designed by the theatre’s in-house designer.

MawsonKerr co-founder Will Mawson said: “The Green Room was conceived as new assembly space reconnecting a series of previously annexed public spaces and connecting the theatre further to the city. This has been an exciting continuation of conversations with the Theatre Royal on engagement with the public and extending the facilities within the theatre. The Green Room has its own personality which is tied respectfully to the historic building with nods to the past as with the stories told in Beth’s artwork.”

The Green Room will be open seven days a week and is intended to be a place for the public to relax, stimulate conversation and creativity, and for patrons to reflect on performances they have just watched. It will be accessible from Market Street and from the theatre itself via the former Stalls Bar.

The choice of name comes from the theatre’s own Green Room relaxation space for actors, and it is in honour of the original building architects: father and son duo John and Benjamin Green who designed the theatre as part of Richard Grainger’s grand design for Newcastle city centre in the early 19th Century.

Charlotte Allan, Design North Associate Interior Designer, said: “Collaborating with the Theatre Royal to create such an innovative space is a designer’s dream. We have created an interior that feels both calming and welcoming, with elements of luxury and opulence that will cultivate a connection between the Theatre and the wider public. Beth’s artwork perfectly encapsulates this vision. The bespoke wallpaper tells stories; it keeps the Theatre’s history alive.”

Siobhan Lightfoot, Newcastle Theatre Royal’s Director of Operations, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our Landmark theatre and our standing in the heart of the city. We’re opening our own hospitality space, The Green Room, because a key part of our strategy is to make sure our iconic Grade I listed building is open to more people for more of the time. As a charity, it’s important for us to continue to diversify our income streams so we can continue to create moments of magic on and off stage, and memories that last a lifetime for theatregoers and members of the public.

“We advocate Culture for all – our vision for The Green Room is that it will become a cultural hub for the city – a place to where members of the public can relax and socialise, and for patrons can enjoy our theatre a little longer.”