LYNNE: That’s right, and there are a lot of improvements. The first thing people will see when they go in is that the foyer has been repainted in the original green and gold. Q₁₁ Then the box office has been reoriented, with its own access from the side of the building instead of through the foyer, which means it can be open longer hours  and has more space, too.
The shop that used to be in the foyer, which sold books and CDs, is the one part of the redevelopment which isn’t yet complete. The plan is to find new premises for it near the theatre, and we’ve had difficulty finding somewhere suitable. Q₁₂ We hope to reopen the shop in the next few months.

MAN: Will audiences find any difference in the auditorium?

LYNNE: Yes, we’ve increased the leg-room between the rows. Q₁₃ This means that there are now fewer seats but we’re sure audiences will be much happier. And we’ve installed air conditioning, so it won’t get so hot and stuffy.
Q₁₄ We already had a few seats which were suitable for wheelchair users, and now there are twice as many, which we hope will meet demand. Q₁₅ Something else that will benefit audiences is the new lifts. The two we used to have were very small and slow. They’ve now gone, and we’ve got much more efficient ones.

MAN: Anything for the performers?

LYNNE: Yes, we’ve made a number of improvements backstage. Q₁₆ The small, dark dressing rooms we used to have been converted into two large airy rooms, so they’re much more comfortable now. And the state-of-the-art electronic sound and lighting systems have been installed.

MAN: OK, so what’s the first play that audiences can see when the theatre reopens?

LYNNE: We’ve got a very exciting production of Peter Shaffer’s Royal Hunt of the Sun, which is currently touring the country. That starts on Q₁₇ October the 13th and runs till the 19th. We’re experimenting a bit with the time the curtain goes up.
We used to start all our performances at 7.30, but that made it difficult for people to go home by public transport, Q₁₈ so instead, we’re beginning at 7, because at 9.45, when it finishes, there are still buses running. Tickets are already selling fast. The Friday and Saturday performances sold out almost immediately and, in fact, now there are only tickets for Q₁₉ Monday and Thursday.

MAN: How much are they?

LYNNE: We’ve introduced a simpler price structure. Ticket prices used to range from £6 to £30 but now they’re all £ Q₂₀ 18. They’re available from the box office, in person, by phone, fax, or post, or online.

MAN: OK, Lynne, now if you’d like to give the contact details for the theatre…

Attempt full listening test…