Cardiff's Sherman Cymru theatre is set to undergo a major refurbishment after it received a £3.9m grant from Arts Council Wales (ACW).

Plans for the £5.4m redevelopment of the theatre include the installation of new seating in both auditoriums in a bid to improve audience experience, new toilet facilities and an overhaul of the backstage area to provide improved conditions for performers. The redevelopment of the theatre's foyer areas and improved access also form part of the 18-month scheme, which has been drawn up by Jonathan Adams of Capita Architecture, having previously worked on the designs for the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay.

Sherman Cymru, which will close in January 2010 to enable to work to be carried out, plans to launch a public fundraising campaign in September to help raise the remaining £1.5m, while it is also in discussions with a variety of potential other funding sources. Chris Ricketts, director of Sherman Cymru, said: "The building work we will be able to do will vastly improve facilities, enhance our profile within the city and really enable us to be more ambitious with the productions we create and the performances we programme."

ACW chief executive Nick Capaldi added: "Sherman Cymru is already one of the country's most important theatre producers. It's essential that it has the quality of facilities to match." Architect's impressions: Capita Architecture (Image subject to change)