Marina Theatre
A historic theatre and cinema venue in Lowestoft, Suffolk, presenting live entertainment, film, and community programming.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Marina Theatre is a theatre and cinema venue in Lowestoft, Suffolk, England. The venue occupies a site with Victorian origins and has developed through several major architectural and operational phases. It began as a skating rink and was converted into a theatre in 1878 by architect R. F. Brett. Further rebuilding took place in 1901 under architect Ernest Runtz, retaining elements of the earlier structure while introducing features believed to have included gallery seating, boxes, and a horseshoe-shaped arrangement. In 1930, architect Francis Burdett oversaw another substantial reconstruction, after which the building reopened as a cinema operated by Associated British Cinemas. A dress circle was among the features associated with this period of remodelling. The venue closed in 1984 and remained unavailable for several years before Waveney District Council purchased it in 1988. It reopened in October of that year and subsequently operated as a combined theatre and cinema. In 2010, the Marina faced a possible closure because of financial pressures affecting the local authority. In response, management was transferred in December 2011 to the newly established charitable Marina Theatre Trust for a 15-year period, while ownership of the main building remained with the council. The Trust was formed following a successful tender by the venue's existing management team and is supported by trustees drawn from the theatre sector, local business, and the community. The Friends of the Marina Theatre provides additional voluntary, fundraising, and operational support. The Trust led a substantial programme of restoration and modernisation. During summer 2012, the main auditorium was refurbished, including restoration and reupholstering of seating, replacement or restoration of decorative mouldings, improved rear-stalls legroom, new carpeting, upgraded lighting, a new lighting position, and digital loudspeakers. The previous green-and-brown interior scheme was replaced by a palette of blue, grey, and gold, while Art Deco-inspired chandeliers and fixed lamps replaced the former cinema house lights. The auditorium's capacity was subsequently reported as approximately 800 seats following the works, although a later redevelopment reduced capacity to 630 while improving comfort and accessibility. The Trust also expanded the venue's supporting facilities. In 2012 it secured a lease on a three-storey building beside the theatre, enabling the creation of a larger box office, a cafe and gallery, administrative offices, and community space. A steel-and-glass link between the buildings opened in November 2012, and the cafe and gallery opened alongside the refurbished auditorium in September 2013. The additional premises also created improved stage access, allowing scenery and equipment to be delivered through a dedicated loading route rather than through the theatre's public entrances. The cinema operation was upgraded in 2013 from 35mm projection to digital projection. A new large screen and Dolby digital sound system supported both conventional film screenings and live cinema broadcasts. The programme has included relays from organisations and companies such as the Bolshoi Ballet, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, and Royal Opera House. The former 35mm projector used between 1988 and 2013 has been displayed in the theatre's cafe and gallery. Marina Theatre presents a broad programme encompassing touring West End productions, comedy, drama, musicals, orchestral concerts, opera, ballet, dance, music, celebrity appearances, cinema, and family entertainment. It is known for hosting a major annual professional pantomime serving the East Anglian coast. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has been resident at the venue since 2005. Performers associated with the theatre include Lee Evans, Michael McIntyre, Sir Ken Dodd, Shane Filan, the Moscow City Ballet, the Russian Ice Stars, Mickey Rooney, Meryl Osmond, Jane McDonald, Mumford & Sons, Julian Lloyd Webber, Tony Christie, David Essex, Derren Brown, and William Roache. Ownership of the freehold transferred from Waveney District Council to Lowestoft Town Council in 2017. In 2018, Lowestoft Town Council purchased the neighbouring three-storey building used for the cafe, community rooms, and offices, strengthening the long-term position of the Trust's leasehold operations. In 2025, a reported £3 million redevelopment, funded through the UK Government's Towns Fund and undertaken by Lowestoft Town Council in partnership with the Marina Theatre Trust and East Suffolk Council, upgraded access, visitor facilities, and the auditorium. The project introduced a new entrance and link building, a lift serving all floors, additional toilets, and a relocated and expanded box office. Auditorium seating was redesigned to improve legroom, comfort, and accessibility, resulting in a capacity of 630. The Marina therefore operates as a locally owned, charitable-partnered cultural venue combining heritage conservation with modern theatre, cinema, and community functions.
History
The Marina Theatre's history extends from a Victorian skating rink to a modern theatre and cinema complex. The site was converted into a theatre in 1878 by R. F. Brett. Ernest Runtz substantially rebuilt the venue in 1901, apparently retaining parts of the earlier structure while adding or reshaping seating and architectural details. Francis Burdett led a further major reconstruction in 1930, after which the building reopened as a cinema under Associated British Cinemas. This phase introduced the dress circle and helped establish the building's long-running relationship with film exhibition. The cinema closed in 1984. Waveney District Council purchased the venue in 1988, and it reopened in October of that year. For the following decades the building operated as a mixed theatre and cinema, hosting touring productions, concerts, comedy, classical music, dance, opera, ballet, and film. The venue also became associated with large-scale seasonal pantomime and a wide range of visiting performers. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has been resident since 2005. Financial pressures on the local authority placed the theatre's future in doubt in 2010. A newly formed Marina Theatre Trust subsequently won the opportunity to manage the venue, taking over on 1 December 2011 under a 15-year arrangement. Waveney District Council retained ownership at that stage. The Trust was supported by an industry and community-based board, while the Friends of the Marina Theatre contributed volunteers and fundraising. A major auditorium refurbishment followed in summer 2012. The project restored decorative features, reupholstered and repaired seating, improved rear-stalls legroom, installed new carpets and technical equipment, and replaced the previous interior colour scheme. Some cast-iron seats were recast, and previously concealed mouldings were restored or replaced. A new roof lighting position and digital speakers improved the venue's technical capabilities. The auditorium was reported after the works to have a capacity of about 800 seats. The Trust expanded the complex by taking a lease on a neighbouring three-storey building in June 2012. A steel-and-glass connection between the two buildings opened in November of that year. The additional property allowed the theatre to create a larger cafe and gallery, relocate its box office, establish community space, and move administrative functions out of the main foyer. It also enabled a dedicated scenery-loading route from Battery Green Road. The cafe and gallery opened in September 2013. In 2013 the cinema converted from 35mm projection to digital projection and gained a large screen and Dolby digital sound. The upgraded system supported both regular cinema and live cultural broadcasts from institutions including the Bolshoi Ballet, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, and Royal Opera House. The former 35mm projector was retained for display in the cafe and gallery. The freehold passed to Lowestoft Town Council in 2017. The council bought the neighbouring building in 2018, consolidating ownership of key parts of the complex while the Trust continued to operate the venue. In 2025, a £3 million redevelopment involving Lowestoft Town Council, the Marina Theatre Trust, and East Suffolk Council was delivered with UK Government Towns Fund support. The project created a new entrance and link building, improved vertical access with a lift, added toilets, moved and expanded the box office, and redesigned auditorium seating for greater comfort and accessibility. The resulting auditorium capacity was reduced to 630. The current Marina Theatre combines a historic building, live performance, cinema, cultural broadcasting, food and beverage services, and community use.
- 2025
Major redevelopment completed
[1]A £3 million redevelopment improved the entrance, accessibility, toilets, box office, and auditorium seating, with capacity reduced to 630.
- 2018
Adjoining building purchased
[1]Lowestoft Town Council purchased the three-storey building used for the cafe, community room, and offices.
- 2017
Freehold transferred to Lowestoft Town Council
[1]The theatre's freehold moved from Waveney District Council to Lowestoft Town Council.
- 2013
Digital cinema launched
[1]The cinema replaced 35mm projection with digital equipment, a large screen, and Dolby digital sound, enabling live arts broadcasts.
- 2012
Auditorium restoration and complex expansion begin
[1]The Trust began a major auditorium refurbishment and secured adjoining premises for expanded visitor, community, administrative, and loading facilities.
- 2011
Marina Theatre Trust takes over management
[1]The charitable Marina Theatre Trust assumed management of the venue on 1 December under a 15-year arrangement.
- 2010
Closure risk emerges
[1]Financial pressures on the local council placed the theatre's continued operation under threat.
- 2005
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra residency begins
[1]The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra began its residency at the Marina Theatre.
- 1988
Council purchase and reopening
[1]Waveney District Council purchased the venue, which reopened in October 1988.
- 1984
Venue closed
[1]The Marina closed and remained unavailable until its subsequent purchase and reopening.
Products and positioning
A regional cultural and entertainment venue combining a historic theatre, cinema, touring live entertainment, orchestral and classical programming, family shows, and community facilities. Its positioning is based on broad programming, local accessibility, heritage character, and service to Lowestoft and the wider East Anglian coast.
Performing arts
Live theatre and touring productions
The Marina presents touring theatre, drama, musical productions, and productions associated with the West End. Its programme is designed for a regional audience and forms one of the venue's principal uses alongside cinema and concerts.
Cinema exhibition
Cinema
The venue operates a cinema with one of the largest screens and cinema auditoria in Lowestoft. In 2013 it moved from 35mm projection to digital projection and added Dolby digital sound, supporting both conventional film screenings and cultural broadcasts.
Digital cultural exhibition · 2013
Live arts broadcasts
The digital cinema system enables screenings of live or recorded performances from major arts organisations, including the Bolshoi Ballet, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, and Royal Opera House.
Music performance · 2005
Concerts and classical music
The Marina hosts orchestral concerts, music performances, and celebrity concerts. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has maintained a residency at the venue since 2005, giving the theatre a continuing classical-music profile alongside popular entertainment.
Family entertainment
Annual professional pantomime
The theatre annually stages what has been described as the largest professional pantomime on the East Anglian coast. The seasonal production is a major family-oriented element of the Marina's programme.
Venue services · 2013
Cafe, gallery, and community facilities
Adjoining premises provide a cafe and gallery, a relocated box office, community space, and administrative facilities. These functions extend the venue beyond performances and support public engagement and local activity.
Brand decisions
2025
Accessibility and visitor-facility redevelopmentStrategyBackground
The venue required improved access, visitor facilities, and auditorium comfort while preserving its historic theatre function.
Action taken
A reported £3 million redevelopment created a new entrance and link building, added a lift and toilets, expanded and relocated the box office, and redesigned auditorium seating.
Aftermath
The auditorium became more accessible and comfortable, with capacity reduced to 630 seats.
Redevelopment cost. £3 million (2025)
2013
Conversion from 35mm to digital cinemaGeneration changeBackground
The cinema required modern projection and sound capabilities to remain competitive and to support non-film cultural programming.
Action taken
The Marina replaced 35mm projection with digital projection, installed a large screen and Dolby digital sound, and began presenting live arts broadcasts.
Aftermath
The venue expanded its cinema offer to include broadcasts from major theatre, ballet, opera, and performing-arts organisations.
2011
Transfer of venue management to Marina Theatre TrustStrategyBackground
The theatre faced a possible closure in 2010 amid financial pressures on Waveney District Council.
Action taken
The council transferred management to the newly formed charitable Marina Theatre Trust for 15 years while retaining ownership of the main building.
Aftermath
The Trust undertook refurbishment, operational expansion, and technology upgrades, while the venue continued to operate as a theatre and cinema.
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