A NEW era begins for one of the region's most historic theatres Sunday night when it re-opens to the public for the first time in over a year.

Richmond's Georgian Theatre Royal has been transformed since spring 2002 by a modern extension which has been built overlooking the town's Friary Gardens, including space for a new coffee lounge, bar, cloakrooms and lift.

However, the auditorium has been restored to better reflect the venue's heritage, with stalls painted to match the original designs while the lighting is designed to recreate the flickering candles which would have illuminated the building over 200 years ago.

The dressing rooms and stage have also been completely overhauled, along with the front-of-house area, which boasts a new box office.

The project hasn't been without its setbacks; the cost rose from £1.1m to £1.5m during construction.

However, tomorrow, the results of all the hard work go on show for the first time when Norfolk singing ensemble, Songbyrd, takes to the stage at 7.30pm.

''The theatre really does look fantastic,'' said spokesman and fund-raising manager, Mac Bryant.

''The mix of old and new works well and I think we have an asset of which we can be proud.

However, he confirmed that there is still work to do; the theatre still needs to find just over £160,000 to meet the cost of restoration within the next two months while management will be trying to persuade the local authorities to reconsider funding arrangements for the future.

''We have applications in for grants from a number of sources to meet the restoration costs but we need to know where we stand soon,'' he added. ''If not, we could find we are in the position where we will be applying for money to meet the costs of a project which is already complete - and that will be much more difficult.

''It will be unique in that is not just an arts venue but an educational resource and a tourist attraction - and we hope to persuade the authorities that new financial arrangements should reflect that.''

* There are still tickets left for tomorrow's show as well as for performances of She Stoops To Conquer by the Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society from next Thursday. More details are available by telephoning the box office on (01748) 825252.