York Theatre Royal welcomes back audiences and live performances
The building - one of the oldest theatres in the UK - has been closed to visitors for over a year.
Last updated 17th May 2021
York Theatre Royal is getting ready to welcome back audiences and live performances for the first time in over a year today.
The team there are drawing on a range of art forms and disciplines for this evening's production of 'Love Bites'.
It's as the UK enters the next stage of lockdown restrictions easing.
The Chief Executive of York Theatre Royal, Tom Bird, says he can't wait to welcome people back: "Giddy is the word that I keep using about reopening.
"We're really excited. It's been 14 months since we closed the doors, and it's been a hard time. We've had some joyous times such as with the travelling pantomime and the outdoor theatre, but this is our lifeblood.
"Lots of theatres have taken work online, but this is about getting people together from this city in a room to enjoy a life experience together. This is what we do, this is what we're experts at and this is what people love us for.
"There's a lot of pent-up demand. People have written to us asking when we're reopening; I even did a Covid test recently where a woman came up to me and asked 'are you from the Theatre Royal? When are you reopening?!' There's lots of excitement in the community.
"Our capacity is about 340, depending on the group size. Normally it's 750, but we have social distancing in the seats until the 21st June. We're lucky that we have a big theatre here so that we can implement that.
"Our first couple of shows are called 'Love Bites', and are a series of commissions of love letters from York-based artists. We decided to do this to give an opportunity to York artists in particular, and they've come up with the most joyous set of art letters - they're equally giddy!
"This building and this theatre company is loved by the people of this city, and it's been a big part of people's lives for a very long time. There's a huge amount of excitement in the community".
"We've got a great programme lined up for York in the weeks and months ahead".