THE curtain is about to go up at one of the north’s leading theatres following a huge programme of redevelopment.

After being dark for more than a year, York Theatre Royal will re-open on April 22 with a world stage premiere of Evelyn Waugh’s classic Brideshead Revisited.

Dating back to 1744, the opulent Grade II*-listed building is said to be the UK’s oldest producing theatre outside of London.

And its £6million redevelopment has been an effort to increase access and flexibility, creating a building fit for the 21st-century audience without compromising on appearance.

The project has added a spacious open plan foyer and doubled the café area and the gothic colonnade of the building has been enclosed by glass. New seating areas have been incorporated into the layout with a new café and bistro.

The main stage has been reconstructed in a modular form, allowing the stage to be adapted or removed entirely. Sightlines have been dramatically improved within the auditorium and a lift installed.

The theatre lies on the site of St Leonard’s Hospital, one of the largest and most important hospitals of mediaeval England and throughout the renovation a team of archaeologists have also been busy.

Among other things they uncovered limestone foundations of the north wall of one of the 12th- century buildings and the remains of a post-medieval cobbled street. They also found an unusual and rare 18th century folly.

Chief archaeologist Ben Reeves said: “It is amazing that, considering all the alterations to the theatre since 1764, so much of the medieval hospital has survived under the stalls and elsewhere within the building.”

Artistic director Damian Cruden said: “As the building nears completion it becomes ever more evident just how desperately needed the work has been.

“Our original desire to create a theatre space which gave our audience a far better experience whilst experiencing a show has over time grown to include the entire building. We can appreciate now just how wonderful this is going to be. So for all our community we will be able to offer a building fit for the 21st-century and beyond.”

The project was funded by Arts Council England, City of York Council and site owners the York Conservation Trust with grants and donations from a variety of sources. A further £153,000 was raised through a public fundraising campaign.