The restoration, which will be revealed to invited guests on Friday, October 26, and members of the public on Saturday, October 27, has taken place over 13 weeks as part of the first phase of a planned building wide refurbishment.

Following detailed research and a four year fundraising project, this main auditorium has been transformed as near as possible to how it looked when it first opened its doors in 1900.

Work has also been carried out to ensure the auditorium is safe and comfortable for the many thousands who visit every year, with new seats, carpet and decoration being installed.

At the same time, the friezes which adorn the front of the dress circle, balcony and the proscenium arch have been restored to reveal the original magnificence of the cherubs and the decorative work of the arch itself.

Extensive work

Harrogate Borough Council has also invested heavily on new heating and cooling systems as well as bringing the wiring and lighting up to meet modern safety standards.

An invited audience of key supporters will be the first to witness the culmination of the project on Friday evening, with the Mayoress Gillian Trotter officially opening the new-look auditorium.

This reflects the opening night in 1900 when the Mayoress of the time, Mrs J Myrtle, held a charity event in honour of "the gentlemen in Khaki".

The theatre will also be presented with a celebratory cake from Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate, and Hotel du Vin has donated champagne to allow guests to toast the refurbishment as the curtain rises.

Harrogate Theatre's chief executive, David Bown, is looking forward to the building re-opening its doors.

He said: "It's been a privilege to be part of Harrogate Theatre over the past three months watching this remarkable 107 year building being transformed.

Future plans

"This is just the start and over the next five years we will be able to address the rest of the building and provide the comfort and splendour that our audiences throughout the district deserve.

"I would like to say a very big thank you to all those that have contributed to the first phase of the refurbishment and to those that have donated time and money. The staff have been overwhelmed by the generosity and care that the public have shown.

"I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Harrogate Borough Council and the officers who have guided us through the refurbishment with skill and sensitivity to reach this happy ending."

Harrogate Theatre chairman Jim Clark added: "During the past three months a transformation scene has been taking centre stage and the result is an enhanced auditorium and foyer of our cherished theatre. The auditorium has been restored in a tasteful way using links from the past to enhance the future.

"None of this work would have been possible without generous donations and I wish to thank each and every one of you for your generosity and enthusiasm which will ensure the long-term future of this much-loved theatre. I would also like to pay tribute to the tireless efforts of our dedicated staff whose sterling efforts often escape the spotlight."

With the main auditorium ready for business, audiences can look forward to an exciting winter season full of live entertainment for all ages. The season starts with two very different amateur productions.

Upcoming performances

Harrogate Dramatic Society will present Amadeus from October 31 to November 3, while the Harrogate St Andrews Players will perform Anything Goes from November 6 – 10.

The year will then climax with Harrogate Theatre's truly traditional pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, running from November 29 to January 12.

• Members of the public are invited to view the new-look theatre on Saturday, October 27, from 11am to 3pm.