I WAS in the audience for the opening night of the latest Darlington Operatic Society show, Sister Act, and once again people of Darlington have true reason to be very proud of an award-winning production and our wonderful Civic Theatre.

Over the past few years, the society has been integral in attracting a new demographic to theatre-going with shows such as Grease, Footloose and, my favourite, Strictly Musicals.

For too long though, Darlington Civic has had to watch Sunderland Empire and Newcastle Theatre Royal take the rich pickings of the ‘fresh from the West End’ tours, hampered in part by the limited space but also by the nervousness of producers to risk putting a blockbuster show in for a week without knowing how big the take up will be. With the recently announced funding award, the Civic can now turn to the future and redevelop the stage, sets, wings and technical areas that will ensure they can play host to the ‘bigger’ and more complex shows.

Who knows, Darlington audiences could one day see Les Miserables, Wicked, The Lion King and big name bands.

Patrick Church, Bishop Auckland