[9][10] Although the exterior walls of the Crescent were retained, the interior, including the 526-seat auditorium and lobby, was built anew.

[6] Following several years of cuts in public subsidy,[6] it launched an appeal for £350,000 in February 1988, which was supported by the playwright, Alan Ayckbourn, actors, Prunella Scales and Timothy West, and the local MP, Kenneth Baker.

[12] The theatre briefly closed in July 1990,[13][14] but reopened three months later following a rescue bid led by the producer and businessman, Bill Kenwright.

[6][16][17] A second reopening followed in October 1997,[18][19] but closed just over a month later after the new operators, Screenworks, entered voluntary liquidation owing £400,000.

[22] It reopened in 2001 as a part-time theatre,[16] cinema, community space and meeting place for the evangelical group, Pioneer People.