Judi Dench backs Old Vic time capsule

Atim called the Old Vic "a special building and very dear to my heart".

She said: "Having performed here and supported it as a trustee, I am proud of both the onstage work and the theatre’s commitment to sharing joy and enrichment through the arts.

"Their work through free-to-access education and community programmes and emerging talent support reaches 5,000 people a year. The Backstage building offers the chance to house and nurture this work, cementing the Old Vic’s ability to invigorate and inspire – offering theatre for all, long into the future."

Stevenson added: "We are delighted to have started work on the Backstage building, which will expand the Old Vic by almost a quarter and, crucially, allow us to increase our education and community activities to reach at least double the number of people we reach today.

"This new building will give vital space to developing artists, writers and performers, be a welcoming hub for the local communities of Lambeth and Southwark and give thousands of children and young people the opportunity to come to the theatre, often for the first time. We don’t know when – or even if – this time capsule will be opened, but by burying it today, we preserve it as a piece of our history while looking ahead to a future where anyone can experience, make and benefit from theatre."