South Tyneside theatre set to reopen in New Year following £3m refurbishment

Theatre goers have been given a special preview ahead of the grand reopening of South Tyneside’s newly refurbished leisure facility.

Jarrow Focus will reopen on Monday, January 7, following a £3m renovation of the old Jarrow Community Centre on Cambrian Street into a multi-purpose leisure facility.

And to celebrate the reopening, the Mayor and Mayoress of South Tyneside, Ken and Cathy Stephenson, took the opportunity to have a sneak peek at the revamped building as Jarrow Musical Theatre Company staged the opening night of their traditional Christmas pantomime.

Mayor Stephenson said: “I was delighted to join the company for their first panto performance and help to launch the refurbished theatre part of the striking new Jarrow Focus. The show, and the building, is fantastic.

“This was almost like a dress rehearsal for our grand re-opening of the centre, which will serve as a real focal point for local people while helping to enhance the health and wellbeing of our residents. It is very exciting to see it already starting to benefit the local community.”

The Theatre Company’s Christmas pantomime, Rapunzel, is running at Jarrow Focus until Sunday, December 2.

Lawrence Clark, secretary of Jarrow Musical Theatre Company, added: “Our cast and crew were thrilled to be able to perform our traditional Christmas show in this stunning new space.

“The renovations make it an excellent venue to stage a show; the lighting and acoustics are brilliant. It really has exceeded all of our expectations.

“What a wonderful way to kick-start our panto season, back in a building we have long called our home. We’re now looking forward to putting on many more performances at the centre with a view to bringing theatre closer to the people of Jarrow and beyond.”

Renovation work on the old community building has included the creation of a new library, and a redesign of the gym, sports hall and dance studios.

The former theatre hall has been transformed with new lighting and sound systems, a fully refurbished backstage area and changing rooms and retractable tiered seating for 176 spectators.