Northampton’s Royal and Derngate has announced its two main theatre spaces are to reopen after a type of concrete prone to collapse was found in its foyers.
The building had to be closed at the beginning of September in line with new government health and safety guidance about reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
Performances will resume in the Royal auditorium from Monday 16 October with the touring production of Torben Betts’s Murder in the Dark. Derngate will reopen on Tuesday 24 October with Northampton Musical Theatre Company’s production of Kinky Boots.
The theatre and West Northamptonshire council have worked “tirelessly” with a team of experts to ensure a safe way for audiences to return. Changes mean that audiences will remain separate from affected areas of the foyer at all times.
Royal and Derngate’s chief executive Jo Gordon said, “we’d like to thank everyone for the support and encouragement we’ve received over the last month including all the offers of help we’ve had from local businesses. We’re so pleased to be able to open our doors to audiences safely again.”