Telford Theatre's last performance before two-year revamp

The new theatre will be larger with a new entrance and auditorium

Theatre-goers will be able to enjoy a final performance at Telford Theatre later before the curtain comes down ahead of a two-year renovation project.

The building, nearly 60 years old, required substantial maintenance and upgrades, the council said.

Using about £15m of levelling up funding, the venue will be expanded and receive a new entrance, auditorium, studio theatre and car park.

The work would ensure it remained "a vibrant hub", the council added.

The theatre will continue to stage shows and performances at various venues across the borough during the hiatus, with an outdoor theatre season programme for 2024.

The new auditorium will be able to seat 750 people and the secondary studio will have 98 seats which will increase the overall capacity of the theatre by 210 seats, the authority has said.

There will also be improved front and back-of-house areas, along with additional toilets.

More visitors

The work is set to begin this autumn, with the theatre due to reopen in October 2026.

Councillor Lee Carter, cabinet member for the economy and neighbourhood services, said: "This project synergizes with the Telford Towns Fund Oakengates Theatre Quarter initiative, revitalising the 1960s precinct into a dynamic visitor destination.

"By attracting more visitors to Oakengates, we aim to stimulate daytime and evening economic activity, promote cultural engagement, and catalyse further investment to strengthen the visitor economy across the borough."

As part of the project, Oakengates Nursery School, currently located within theatre, will be relocated to a new, purpose-built facility.

If planning permission is approved, a new site will be built on nearby Charlton Street.

The council said it would have capacity for 108 children, the same as the current nursery.