Accessible New Riga Theatre for persons in wheelchairs and mobility impairments - Latvia

The New Riga Theatre, founded in 1992, is a state repertory theatre that provides innovative art that corresponds both in its content and form to the requirements of the independently thinking contemporary spectator.

The reconstruction of the New Riga Theatre building began in 2018 and was completed in March 2024, when the JRT returned to its home. The JRT building complex was rebuilt according to the plan and project of architect Zaiga Gaile. The Great Hall of the theatre has preserved the spirit of the more than century-old building, which is highlighted by the preserved and restored interior elements of the 1930s - the hall's central lamp, square lamps, and dark red-brown pine plywood panels. At the same time, as a result of the reconstruction, spectators have excellent visibility and audibility from any place, both on the ground floor and in the balcony. This was achieved by changing the pitch of the rows and rebuilding the balcony.

The historic theatre building is complemented by a new five-storey building with two ‘black box’ halls, several rehearsal halls and comfortable rooms for actors. For more convenient work, both buildings are connected by a glazed passage. The ‘nowhere’ feeling characteristic of the ‘black box’ halls of the JRT is provided by neutral concrete grey walls, black ceilings and floors. In turn, the lighting and sound systems of both modern ‘black box’ halls, their digital and analogue control network, are designed so that the configuration can be freely changed according to the needs of a particular performance. The large ‘black box’ hall has 230 seats, and the small one has 100 seats.

After the reconstruction, New Riga Theatre building is accessible to persons with reduced mobility, with benches and greenery in the courtyard where people can meet, relax from the noises of urban life and talk. A glazed air bridge interconnects the old area and the new areas. Performances in all halls are also accessible to spectators in wheelchairs. An elevator is available in the theatre premises. 

Images of New Riga Theatre building after reconstruction.  

Virtual tour of the theatre after reconstruction.    

About the New Riga Theatre. 

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