The City Theatre is one of the region's smallest, with only 71 seats, But as the venue's owners celebrate its 21st anniversary, it's time for a facelift. Mark Tallentire reports.

IT is easy to miss the City Theatre. Even armed with detailed directions, it can be mistaken for a riverside warehouse.

And before 1982, that is what it was, until Durham Dramatic Society found itself in a financial crisis and resolved to convert the building into a performance venue.

In 1986, its efforts bore fruit and the 71-seater City Theatre staged its first production: Season's Greetings.

Since then, Durham's little theatre has developed a history all of its own, captured on the wall full of promotional posters that greets visitors in the lobby.

The auditorium's front row is inches from its cramped stage, with a tiny sound and lighting booth stage left.

Kate Lawrie, one of the society's directors, says: "People love it because it is so intimate. You can feel the audience hanging on your every word."

The society's seasons have grown in popularity, prompting the addition of a matinee performance.

But the City Theatre, the region's smallest member of the Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain, has a date with make-up.

The society wants to put new windows in, redecorate the bar, recover the seats and buy new lights -work that members know will cost tens of thousands of pounds.

Treasurer Wendy Smith says: "We do not want to alter it too much because people like it the way it is, but it is looking tired now.

"We need to bring it up to standard with the surrounding area. We need sponsors to help us.

"We need local sponsors who can get something out of helping us to be part of our story."

The society has more than 100 full members and as well as staging five productions a year, runs workshops and takes part in festivals.

Its latest production, God Only Knows, a thriller by Hugh Whitemore, will be performed from June 24 to 30.

Tickets are £5 for members and £5.50 for non-members. To buy tickets or to become a member, call Elenor Maddison on 0191-386-1537.

To sponsor the society, call Wendy Smith on 0191-384-8983.