When Newcastle Theatre Royal reopened its doors for the first time in more than a year staff were holding their breath to see if audiences would return.
After 17 months of closure and uncertainty, the landmark theatre in the city centre was finally able to welcome back audiences in July 2021.
But theatre bosses had no idea how audiences would react to its Covid safety measures and if they would even feel confident enough to come back.
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“It was really long period of closure and has probably been the most challenging time this theatre, as with all theatres in the region and country, have faced,” chief executive, Marianne Locatori, said.
“It was so tough. I think sometimes what people don’t necessarily realise is that for theatre staff, performance companies and backstage crews, the supply chain that the theatre sector relies on goes a long way.
“So that closure impacted way further than people, I think, realised.
“We were one of the first to close and last to reopen. It was a really tough time.”
The theatre, which is an…
