A THEATRE which closed for a £1.5m extension and restoration project has announced dates for the first shows to be staged in the new-look building.

Tickets have gone on sale for preview performances at the Georgain theatre Royal, in Richmond, North Yorkshire, ahead of a reopening ceremony planned for September.

The box office is already up and running and Richmond's Mayor, Councillor Stuart Parsons, was the first to make use of the computerised service.

Management hopes for plenty of support from the public, who can chose between music, drama - or both.

Norfolk ensemble Songbyrd will be the first group to take to the restored stage, at 7.30pm on Sunday, August 3.

Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society perform the first play, staging She Stoops To Conquer between Thursday, August 7, and Saturday, August 9, and again between Wednesday, August 13, and Saturday, August 16.

The Richmond Operatic Society will perform the musical The Good Companions between Wednesday August 20, and Saturday, August 23.

Audiences will be the first to glimpse the intricate restoration of the auditorium and the upgraded lighting and stage area.

The theatre's extension includes cloakrooms and a coffee lounge and bar, which overlooks Richmond Friary Gardens.

The National Lottery's heritage fund pledged money towards the refit on condition the restoration won planners' approval and the grant was matched from other sources.

A campaign to raise the rest of the money to pay for the restoration was backed by The Northern Echo and, thanks to support from the public, the total was reached in December 2001.

In a welcome message, printed in a programme issued this week, chairman of the theatre board Lady Crathorne paid tribute to all those involved in giving the building a new lease of life.

"A debt of gratitude is owed to local government, lottery, trusts, businesses, individual donors and the Friends of the Georgian Theatre Royal," she said.

"These enthusiasts have contributed magnificently towards the £1.5m work of art."

Tickets for the shows are available by telephoning the theatre on (01748) 825252.