HUNDREDS of music fans flocked to a North-East theatre to celebrate its reopening following a £1.4m revamp.

The Quadrophenia-themed club night on Friday was the first event in a summer-long programme planned for the The Georgian Theatre in Stockton which dates back to 1700s.

Classic clips of Mod favourites were projected onto the rear wall as live bands and a DJ set played during the evening at the Green Dragon Yard theatre.

“Guests started arriving an hour and a half before the first chord was struck, so hopefully this has put us on the map,” said event organiser Paul Burns.

The Tees Music Alliance which operate The Georgian Theatre was given the £1.4m funding for the massive renovation from the building’s owners Stockton Borough Council alongside a generous National Lottery grant.

The building has expanded from its previous modest area to include the old hotel next door, and has a new social area which is both comfortable and clean. There is now a well-stocked bar with long tables and high stools and the toilets are clean and modern.

“The venue capacity was always limited by toilets and then in turn when you have a full venue the bar was too small” Said Paul, who is also the chairman of Tees Music Alliance.

“By upping capacity it just gives us more people in the room, which means more tickets sold. That means the band can command a higher fee, and we can take it to the next level.” He added.

Over the next few months Teesside can expect to see appearances from Martha Reed, Shed Seven and The Alabama Three.