AN £800,000 scheme is underway for major works on a Romsey theatre, the biggest in the venue's history.
The Plaza Theatre's main stage closed in May with the work expected to be finished by September.
The majority of the work will see the electrics throughout the main auditorium upgraded as they are around 40 years old. This will enable future performances to have improved lighting and effects.
The stage wings will also be slightly extended and the roof height increased to match the rest of the building. These refurbishments will make way for bars to be installed on the ceiling to make it easier to install lighting.
The project is costing £800,000. Neil Gwynne, chairman of Romsey Amateur and Dramatic Society (RAODS), told the Advertiser that £300,000 has come from a Test Valley Borough Council grant, £300,000 of savings and a £200,000 loan.
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Mr Gwynne, RAODS member for 22 years and chairman for 11 years, said that performances will be held in other places while the work is happening. This includes the theatre's own green room.
He said: “The green room is a good space which fits 40-45 people inside. The impact of the work will be that we will be able to have better effects and lighting. Even though the wings will only be slightly extended, that will help enormously.”
Mr Gwynne added that the cost of the work exceeded the amount paid when the building was converted into a theatre in the 1980s. He said: “This is by far the largest amount of work that has ever been done on the theatre. It's also the first time we have had to close the main stage for an extended period.”
The Plaza opened in 1931 as Romsey's only purpose built cinema. It then became a bingo hall in the 1970s, before becoming a theatre, under the operation of RAODS, in 1982-83.
Mr Gwynne said: “Look out for more announcements on the main stage re-opening. We will be having an open day and a party.”
The first show on the newly refurbished main stage will be the Gilbert and Sullivan classic The Pirates of Penzance. This was also the first show to be performed at Crosfield Hall when it opened in 1936.
For more details about future shows, visit plazatheatre.com/index.php.
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