Stephen Browning and Rob Colley were commissioned by the Old Vic to develop an up-to-date business and financial plan for Backstage – a new six-storey extension to the rear of the theatre, designed by Haworth Tompkins and opened in 2025.
Backstage is conceived as an open, welcoming, and inclusive space for the local community, as well as providing much-needed additional capacity for the Old Vic’s educational and outreach team to work with young people from Lambeth and Southwark.
The building includes a new studio theatre and rehearsal room, a rooftop events and entertainment space, a writer’s room and script library, a split-level café and restaurant, and the Clore Learning Centre.
Our approach
Our brief was to review earlier operational assumptions and develop a comprehensive business plan that reflected the full commercial and operational potential of the building. The work combined strategic planning with detailed financial modelling across multiple revenue streams.
Key elements of the plan included:
- A detailed catering strategy analysing financial returns from visitors, audience members, and corporate hires
- Recommendations for public programming in the events space – including talks, workshops, book launches, literary events, wine tastings, chamber music recitals, and poetry and play readings
- Branding, marketing, and management strategy for Backstage
- Day-to-day operational planning for the building
- Identification of savings and operational efficiencies arising from the new build – including staffing, main house catering, and the elimination of external rehearsal and educational space costs
Outcome
The business and financial plan was accepted by the Old Vic’s Senior Management Team. Backstage opened successfully in 2025 and is now an active part of the Old Vic’s community, education, and commercial offering.
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