Performances set to return at Bristol Old Vic
We're told when the audience arrives it will be like "a reunion between two long lost lovers"
After months of forced closure because of coronavirus, performances will finally restart tonight at the Bristol Old Vic.
At 8pm tonight the curtain will rise on the first of four performances of Touching the Void.
All four will take place in front of a socially distanced live audience, but each show will also be broadcast live online, for people to watch from anywhere in the world.
Touching the Void debuted in Bristol and was being shown on the West End when coronavirus first hit.
Tony award winner Tom Morris is the artistic director at the theatre.
"It's very, very exciting," he tells us.
"The artists on stage simply can't wait to be performing again live and our audience have been writing to us, they can't wait to be in this space.
"It's like witnessing a sort of gorgeous reunion between two long lost lovers who haven't seen each other for years.
"It's really that exciting."
Several stringent COVID safety measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of both the actors and crew and the audience.
The actors have been in a so called "bubble" separate to anyone else to ensure they do not catch the virus.
Certain areas back stage are off limits to everyone except them, which are known as "red zones".
There are then "amber zones" where certain members of the crew are also allowed and "green zones" where anyone is allowed.
"We had a rehearsal of this because you may remember, it seems a long time ago, we reopened a little bit in the autumn," Morris says.
"During that period of time over a million people in the country went to the theatre and no one caught COVID.
"We were applying safety regimes back stage and no one caught COVID so we know that they are safe.
"What that means is we are really confident that people will be safe when they come here.
"Although for the performers it's difficult because they can't mix freely with each other or the public of course, they have to stay in what we call a bubble, so they can be close enough to each other on stage to perform, without any risk of infection.
"That means they're not allowed to go anywhere near anyone else inside the building or outside it, so it is tough for them, but it makes the show work."
To ensure social distancing in the audience is possible the auditorium can only be half full, which Morris admits would not be financially sustainable on it's own.
That is why the shows are also being broadcast live online for a standard fee of £15.
"It means that there is a live reopening of this beautiful old theatre, the oldest working theatre in the English speaking world and you can take part in it from the (United) States, from New York, from France, from Belfast, from Leeds, from London, even from Bath.
"You can absolutely be here where ever you are."
If you want to find out more about the show or book tickets for the live broadcast, you can do so here.