Hyde Festival Theatre relaunched in ‘Bigg’ style last weekend. 

The huge showcase event had been delayed for one week in tribute to the Queen following her sad passing.

But there was a moment’s silence and the national anthem before the reopening celebration show, plus a moving projection on the front of the theatre which included a tribute to the Queen.

The theatre is celebrating its own 70th anniversary this year (since being converted from The Alexandra Picture House to the working theatre we know today) and the show included performances from numerous local groups and dance troops, showcasing their recent works.

The local registered charity, which secured funding to develop the front of the theatre, lit up resplendently at the end of the projection show on Saturday.

Much refurbishment work has also been undertaken inside.

Dozens of volunteers have been working around the clock in recent weeks and months cleaning, painting and refurbishing the theatre.

The ‘Bigg’ reopening was a special tribute too to the long-serving efforts of theatre volunteers Roger and Carol Bigg - who have been volunteers at the building for an incredible 50 years.

We’ll be publishing a special feature and pictures as we go behind the scenes in the weeks to come.

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