The Bexleyheath venue will re-open in February 2025 after being shut since September 2024 due to extensive roof damage caused by heavy rainfall.
The theatre was forced to cancel or postpone three planned productions because of the damage.
The management committee has worked to assess the damage, implement temporary measures to secure the building, and carry out necessary safety checks.
Now, thanks to their efforts and the help of theatre members who volunteered their time to clean and prepare the venue, the theatre is ready to welcome audiences again.
The reopening will kick off with a new adaptation of H.G. Wells’ classic science fiction story, War of the Worlds.
The play, which will run from February 15 to February 22, has been adapted into a radio play format.
This means actors will perform as if they are at a live recording for radio listeners, playing multiple roles and creating sound effects to bring the story to life.
The play’s director, Lindsay Dale, said: “I have always been a fan of War of the Worlds, both the original novel and Jeff Wayne’s musical adaptation.
“I wanted to offer a new take on the story, and presenting it as a radio play allows us to use our talented company of actors to not only play the characters involved in this epic battle of man vs Martian but also to draw our audiences into the story by generating a lot of its sound effects live on stage.
“The fact that we now have access to improved technology, I’m also excited to see what we can do with lighting, sound, and graphics to create some truly terrifying Martian invaders.”
The adaptation stays largely true to the original story but is set 17 years later, with the central character’s daughter acting as the narrator.
Writer Eric Whiting explained: “HG Wells’ science fiction novel was a groundbreaking piece of writing when it was published in 1898, one of the first stories to tackle the now hugely popular subject of alien invasion.
“Adding a new narrator to help set the scene means that Wells’ main character can now be at the heart of the action.
” It’s a piece of writing that deals with some challenging themes, including colonisation, imperialism, and evolution.
“It’s also a thrilling adventure that I hope will have audiences on the edge of their seats, rooting for the good guys to win over their terrifying invaders.”
The theatre, which is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026, had invested in updating its technology last year, and the play will showcase impressive lighting, sound, and graphic effects.
Following the reopening production of War of the Worlds, the theatre will stage the shows that had been planned to complete the 2024-25 season.
These include Foxfinder from April 5 to April 12, The Gulf: An Elegy from May 24 to May 31, and Dancing at Lughnasa from July 12 to July 19.
The theatre plans to announce the lineup for the 2025-26 season soon.
Tickets for War of the Worlds and all productions in the 2024-25 season can be booked via the theatre’s website.
