THEATRE performance is expected to return to the town this Autumn - some six months after exiting the stage at the start of lockdown.

Malvern Theatres will reopen with measures in place to fight the current pandemic.

Measures will include face coverings, as based on Government guidance and additional trained staff will be on hand to “observe and encourage compliance”.

Seats will be in socially distanced ‘bubbles’ and hand sanitiser stations will be available for everyone to use.

Chief executive officer, Nic Lloyd, said: “We are doing all we can to help the arts industry survive this crisis.

“Creating new productions in a safe way is an expression of optimism for our audiences; they have supported us through this disaster and, going ahead, we intend to thrive and return to support our community as we always have.

“We also want to offer hope to other theatres that the show can and will go on.”

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The Covid-19 Emergency Appeal has now reached £175,000.

Mr Lloyd added: “Until we can reopen fully, our appeal is ongoing as financially the theatre is not yet out of danger.”

“We have been overwhelmed by the support that our campaign has received.

“None of us knows what the future of theatre will look like following this pandemic and we are doing everything we can to ensure Malvern Theatres is at the forefront as it always has been.

“We would like to thank everyone for their support and ask that, if you haven’t already and you can manage it, please visit our website and donate now – no matter the amount. Every penny we receive today will help protect tomorrow.”

On opening, the theatre will launch a short season of its own productions, including Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads.