Leyland raises the Curtain at the Theatre Royal

Leading trade brand Leyland has ensured that the show will go on at one of the country’s most prestigious theatres thanks to a sparkling specification of its high quality products.

The Theatre Royal is located in the heart of Newcastle and its status as a Grade I Listed building meant that the products used to bring it back to its former glory needed to be of the highest durability and quality.

In a bid to restore the building’s original Edwardian characteristics in preparation for its 175th anniversary earlier this year, an ambitious £5 million restoration programme was undertaken and there was only place to turn to when it came to selecting the right paint for the job.

Ten decorators from north east-based decorating firm Astryan Ltd took full advantage of Leyland’s high performing trade range, selecting products such as Acrylic Eggshell, Vinyl Matt, Undercoat and Gloss in a spectrum of warm neutrals and off whites to provide the theatre with a lasting finish befitting of its stature.

The team worked for 28 weeks to restore the main auditorium, two main staircases and all foyers and had their decorating skills tested to the extreme. They painstakingly cleaned and re-painted all plaster areas in the main auditorium as well as re-painting highlighted mouldings and carrying out extensive gold leaf work, which was overseen by a retired gold leaf expert who ensured the correct techniques were being used.

In fact, the work was carried out to such a high standard that it was nominated in the Period and Restoration category at the Johnstone’s Painter of the Year competition, which is hosted by Leyland’s parent company, PPG Architectural Coatings UK & Ireland.

Paul Chirnside, director of Astryan Ltd, said: “We chose to use Leyland products for this project because the architect was keen to use a brand that could be provided in a wide range of colours and Leyland is second to none in that department. On top of that, Leyland products provide an excellent finish which left us with one less thing to worry about on what was a very challenging but rewarding project.”