Curtain opens on East Riding Theatre

The curtain is rising on the opening production of the new East Riding Theatre, with the help of a local film actor and the backing of Dame Judi Dench.

A team of volunteers, professionals and the ERT Theatre Board have been busy transforming the council-owned Grade 2 listed former chapel in Beverley in preparation for its launch as a professional theatre.

Tickets are already being snapped up for its inaugural production, A Christmas Carol, which will run from Wednesday 17 December to Saturday 3 January.

The production, based on Charles Dickens' ghost story, has been newly-adapted for the stage by Vincent Regan and will be directed by internationally-acclaimed director Mike Friend.

Mr Regan, a film actor based in the East Riding, has spearheaded the move to establish the theatre in Beverley with the support of the council, which agreed to lease the building to ERT, who are operating as a not-for-profit organisation. Dame Judi Dench is patron of the theatre and has urged people to gt behind it.

The ERT Theatre Board wants the theatre to become a cultural hub for the region.

Mr Regan said: "It's a unique and special venue. East Riding Theatre's aim is to present a varied and high-quality artistic programme, as well as developing a reputation for producing world-class theatre."

Council leader Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE said: "I am delighted that the theatre is now coming to fruition. The proposal has breathed new life into an under-used property and I hope that it will make an exceptional contribution, culturally and socially, to the East Riding.

"I am looking forward to seeing productions at the theatre and I hope that East Riding residents will continue to support it."

The cast of A Christmas Carol includes local actors Malcolm Tomlinson as Ebenezer Scrooge, Richard Avery as the ghost of Jacob Marley, as well as featuring Gordon Meredith, Hester Arden, Annie Kirkman and Clive Kneller.

Set on a cold, bleak Christmas Eve, seven years after the death of his business partner Jacob Marley, London's meanest miser Ebenezer Scrooge is his usual grumpy old self. Scrooge hates Christmas, calling it 'humbug!'. But, as the clock strikes midnight, his world will be turned upside down.

East Riding Theatre has also lined up an evening of comedy with BBC1's Live at the Apollo comedian Andrew Lawrence on 23 January, and a wonderful evening of flamenco music with Juan Martin on 28 January.

Information and booking details are available at www.eastridingtheatre.co.uk.