Theatre reopens with charity gala after Raac repairs

Solihull's mayor, councillor Shahin Ashraf, said the theatre had been "sorely missed"

A theatre forced to close for more than a year after dangerous concrete was found in its roof is set to reopen.

A routine inspection at the Core Theatre in Solihull in 2023 led to the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac), which is prone to collapse.

With repair works completed, the theatre will reopen its doors on Sunday with a charity gala, including performances from local musicians, choirs and dance groups.

Solihull's mayor, councillor Shahin Ashraf, said The Core was the borough's "home of culture" and had been "sorely missed".

Hundreds of schools and public buildings were forced to close fully or partially when Raac was discovered during inspections in 2023, and councillor Ian Courts, the leader of Solihull Council, said it had taken a lot of work to make the theatre safe.

• What is Raac concrete and why is it a safety risk?

"We had to repair the Raac, and we had to do work on the roof," he told the BBC.

"What we also took an opportunity of was to improve the studio as well."

The Boogaloo Babes are one of the acts due to perform at the charity event

Sophia Gough, who will be singing with her group the Boogaloo Babes, said the reopening was going to be "amazing".

"The theatre's a real hub for the community, and there'll be a lot of people in the audience that are so excited the theatre's reopened again."

The council said tickets, priced at £25, had sold out online and that proceeds would go towards supporting Marie Curie UK, OASIS and Social Life Opportunities charities.