The wait is finally over.

The Civic Theatre will put on the glitz this week as it shakes off the shackles of lockdown to welcome audiences back into the iconic Newcastle venue. 

The 92-year-old theatre is set to host its first “live” performance in three months with the long-awaited opening on Wednesday 10 November of fabulous Australian musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert by renowned local theatre company Metropolitan Players.

Civic Theatre manager Leonie Wallace said the timing was perfect for a return to the theatre, with further easing of restrictions from today.

“COVID-19 brought our vibrant industry to a halt,” she explained.

“The constraints and shutdowns were a blow for performing artists and production companies such as the Metropolitan Players, who were relying on this show to secure their future beyond this production.

“The staging of our first ‘live ‘performance on Wednesday could not have been better timed, with the new Public Health Order that will be in effect allowing us to resume with 100% capacity for fully-vaccinated audience members. 

“Reopening the theatre will provide a much-needed boost to the city’s night-time economy in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions, while also allowing us to support our local performing arts community. 

“It also paves the way for a fantastic launch of our new subscription season on 1 December.”

While audience numbers will be able to return to pre-COVID levels, theatregoers will still be subject to COVID-safe measures to ensure the health and wellbeing of staff, customers and performers.

This will include the mandatory wearing of masks inside Civic Theatre for anyone aged 12 years or older, which will apply until the end of December.

Tickets for all upcoming shows, including the seven performances of Priscilla, are now on sale, giving Novocastrians their first chance to experience the Civic Theatre’s new ticket counter, now located in the heart of the historic building.

Face-to-face ticket sales have moved from the Hunter Street box office into a bespoke space adjacent to the Civic Theatre Café, which was designed by EJE Architects to compliment the unique mix of historical and contemporary elements within the Theatre. 

Online ticket sales for all shows at the Civic Theatre, the Playhouse and City Hall Concert Hall are also still available through the Civic Theatre website. 

Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.