by the late 1980s the theatre's expansion, which had proceeded in a somewhat piecemeal fashion, included an agglomeration of outbuildings which housed restaurants, dressing rooms, storage and other facilities. it became clear to george christie that a completely new theatre - and not just an enlargement of the old one - was necessary. having chosen the architects michael and patty hopkins of hopkins architects in a design competition, christie announced in 1990 that a new theatre, capable of seating 1,200 people, would be constructed in 1992.