The People's Theatre in Newcastle has announced it is to reopen in September, for the first time since it went into lockdown in March 2020.
The news, coming 17 months after it closed its doors, is set to delight its fans who are able to book now for three of the first wave of new season shows.
The first to reopen Heaton's much-loved amateur theatre will be Charlotte Keatley’s family drama My Mother Said I Never Should which will start a week-long run on September 14.
Read more: Theatre Royal's audience 'rules' as it reopens from lockdown
Ahead of that there will be a special event for members on August 20 to discuss audiences' return.
And for those who still might not be feeling fully confidence about a return to theatre, the theatre is introducing an option of some socially distanced performances.
The reopening will be a huge moment for the venue in Newcastle's Stephenson Road.
A spokeswoman said: "We had no idea when we closed in March 2020 that we’d be gone so long, but the spirit of the People’s has stayed alive and well."
She said theatre members had supported each other during lockdown with online events including quizzes, play readings and fund-raisers.
They've also staged an online play as well as three outdoor shows.
But now the team are delighted to be getting back to business as usual and are out to celebrate their return with upbeat productions.
Following My Mother Said I Never Should will be a run of comedy: Blackadder ll - a staging of three episodes of the BBC hit - wih a farcical telling next of Sherlock Holmes’ The Hound Of The Baskervilles then festive comedy The Flint Street Nativity.
And panto will be making a welcome comeback too, with family favourite Sleeping Beauty set to be a family treat in December.
Bookings are opening in stages and so far there are tickets available for the opening play, Blackadder and the panto.
Booking for the other shows is set to follow soon.
The theatre's logo, the phoenix rising from the ashes, is an apt one as the venue - which underwent restoration a few years ago - effectively prepares to undergo another rebirth.
The spokeswoman added: "Over the last difficult and uncertain 17 months we’ve been absolutely bowled over by the generosity and support from our audiences, members, friends and supporters.
"Our motto over this time has been that the phoenix will rise and we can’t wait to get back to what we love – making great theatre and entertaining audiences."
For more information and to book theatre tickets, costing £15; £13 concessions, see here.
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