A CARLISLE theatre group is marking the opening of a new theatre this weekend with a performance.

StagedRight's Studio Theatre at Shaddonmill opens on Friday.

It will be celebrated with a performance from the group's youth theatre.

The performance is part of an international project called All Together Now.

It was set up by theatre rights holders Music Theatre International, who wanted to offer amateur theatre groups a chance to kickstart their recovery after the pandemic.

Rather than taking a percentage of box office takings, MTI have provided, free of charge, groups with music, tracks and everything needed to present a fantastic night of musical theatre.

A spokesperson from MTI said: “Our goal is to give everyone an opportunity to help kickstart their season after the devastation we all experienced in 2020 due to Covid-19 and to celebrate the return of live theatre”.

When StagedRight was offered the chance to take part, they struggled to find a venue to perform in.

This was due to the effects of the pandemic on the theatre industry.

Many theatres have remained closed or are slowly reopening.

David & Sallie McNeill, who run StagedRight, used this opportunity to convert their number one dance studio into a performance space.

Over the weekend, StagedRight Youth Theatre will be presenting four performances, with musical excerpts including Matilda, Waitress, Mamma Mia, My Fair Lady, Annie and many more.

The new studio theatre includes theatre curtains, raised seating, stage lighting and being fully redecorated.

David McNeill said “It is testament to those who work with StagedRight that we have been able to transform a dance studio into a theatre space in only a few short weeks and we have plans to enhance it even further.

"This now gives us the opportunity to develop the performance skills of young people even further as it is less intimidating than large venues. It is the perfect training ground.”

StagedRight will continue to perform bigger productions for family and friends in venues such as The Sands Centre, but the Shaddonmill venue will be adaptable for intimate drama nights and smaller concerts.

After this weekend, StagedRight will begin rehearsals for Saturday Night @ The Sands in March followed by the West End version of Phantom of the Opera in July.

StagedRight Youth Theatre perform at Shaddonmill on Friday, November 12 and Saturday, November 13.

Performances take place at 6pm and 8pm.

Tickets are sold out.