THE curtain falls on another act in the life of one of the region's playhouses this evening.

The Georgian Theatre Royal, in Richmond, North Yorkshire, closes with a sell-out performance of Auld Lang Syne, by Martin Reynolds and his troupe of artistes - the last show in the building in its current form.

Takings from the evening will be the last to be added to a £1.1m fundraising campaign, launched in 2000, to pay for a complete restoration of the theatre.

With European funding also confirmed, and a National Lottery grant of more than £600,000 announced just before Christmas, contractors start work on a facelift within the next few weeks.

The first task will be to demolish the annex, which includes the coffee shop and bar, built on to the side of the theatre in the 1960s.

"We want to get that done as quickly as possible to limit the risk of the work disrupting seasonal trade for our neighbours, the Turf Hotel," said theatre manager Bill Sellars.

"Contractors will start building the new extension - including a better entrance for the disabled, a new bar and coffee lounge - as soon as the site is cleared."

In the meantime, restoration work will also begin inside the theatre.

New lighting and sound systems, restoration of the auditorium to better reflect the Georgian era, new curtains and stage boards and improved dressing rooms are included in the plans.

Performances will move to Richmond's Zetland Christian Community Centre, a former cinema, further along Richmond's Victoria Road.

"We are planning to print a brochure listing all the plays and performances, both amateur and professional, at the new venue in February," said Mr Sellars.

"The first professional show is The London Merchant, which goes on stage at the Zetland on Saturday, April 20."

The theatre is expected to reopen in time for the spring season next year.