Stylish makeover at arts centre gives true West End vibe

The entrance doors of the Mullingar Arts Centre open in late September to tentatively begin welcoming audiences back to live performances.

And when they do re-open, audiences are going to find themselves in very stylish surroundings thanks to the glamorous makeover the arts centre team has given the foyer.

"We have painted it a royal maroon – the colour of Westmeath – with gold ceilings and gold pillars," says arts centre boss, Seán Lynch.

"We also have installed two glass chandeliers – but the most significant thing we have done is we have a series of new pictures recognising the excellence of performance artists from Mullingar and its environs – people who have made it nationally and internationally."

The makeover gives a totally different feeling to the foyer – and puts it on a par with any theatre in the West End.

"It's like: now you are walking into a theatre. The only thing is it needs carpet now instead of the tiles. That is the only thing that is missing," says Seán proudly.

Upon entry, visitors will be greeted by photos of Tina Kellegher, Niamh Algar, Niall Horan, Emmet Cahill, Bressie and Mary McEvoy.

"One of the photographs celebrates the world premiere of The Valley of the Squinting Windows – it is from the night that the President was here.

“And in our 22 years of existence, personally I regard it as our single biggest accomplishments. It was a show that had ten professional actors. It was an entire professional production. Only for the pandemic, it would have gone on to Dublin. "The pictures that are up represent everything that we've done both professionally and locally.

"We have paid homage to our local student productions. We even have our pantomime crew."

On September 6, classes restart at the arts centre and on September 25 the venue welcomes a live audience for a recital by the Con Tempo String Quartet.

“Between then and Christmas we are putting on a fairly full programme," says Sean, who is particularly excited about the new youth theatre launching at the centre.