In 2024 Pup Architects completed a refurbishment of the Theatre and Performance Gallery at V&A South Kensington to coincide with the centenary of the collection’s foundation. On display is a wide range of contemporary and historical materials relating to all aspects of performing arts from musical theatre, to dance, comedy, opera and popular music. Last updated in 2008, the galleries were in need of a refresh to improve coherence, look and feel, and accessibility.

Working within a limited budget and a fast turn-around, our light-touch approach identified several improvements to improve the visitor journey and clarity of the existing displays and showcases. The new introduction space enhances a sense of arrival to the gallery with illuminated signage and lighting. A generous seating arrangement, in dialogue with a newly commissioned large scale film projection, creates space for visitors to rest, congregate and spend time in the gallery. Flexible furniture is designed with reconfiguration of the space in mind, to allow it to be used for performances and events during V&A Lates.

A new bold colour palette redefines the gallery’s sections and increases visual contrast, drawing attention to showcase interiors and their objects. Gallery walls are painted a deep blue, against which the distinctive colours of new signage and showcase interiors stand out. Departing from the previous design’s allusion to the deep red and dark timber of Victorian-era theatre, the colours bring a new sense of vitality. This reflects more sympathetically the gallery’s broad presentation of theatre and performance from a variety of time periods and genres.