ONE of the country's best-loved actors will be celebrating the birthday next week of the renovated and extended Georgian Theatre Royal, in Richmond.

Robert Hardy, whose roles have included Siegfried in All Creatures Great and Small, has supported the project.

He first appeared on the Richmond stage in 1967 and will be returning to deliver the prologue at the celebrations to mark its 215th anniversary.

The gala show, the Hotchpotch Pantomime, will feature acclaimed vocal and instrumental group Chalernie and will recapture the excitement of a Georgian evening with a blend of music, comedy dancing and mime.

The birthday celebrations coincide with the start of the theatre's first professional season since its restoration.

Following what the theatre described as unprecedented demand, three performances of the Hotchpotch Pantomime are scheduled, on September 3, 5 and 6 at 7.30pm each night. Tickets are available from the box office on (01748) 825252.

The chairman of the theatre's trustees, Lady Crathorne, said: "The events as a whole mark the end of one era in the continuing story of the Georgian Theatre Royal and the start of an exciting new one.

"The overwhelming response to the restoration and the new building has been extremely positive, and we look forward to seeing many new and familiar faces in the audience during the season ahead."