Strode Theatre in Street finally reopens today (July 9) after being closed for months due to Covid restrictions and the subsequent lack of funding.

The theatre was mothballed last year due to the coronavirus crisis, but now lockdown restrictions have eased, films, music and theatre will be returning.

Manager Robin Peters and the Strode Theatre team have been working flat out to get the venue ready to welcome the public again, and the summer programme has a little something for everyone - award-winning films, on-screen theatre and live dance, opera and more.

Every precaution has been taken to make the theatre Covid-secure. Social distancing is applied to seat bookings automatically, leaving space between you and other patrons, and capacity in the auditorium is limited, and will continue to be even if legal restrictions ease on July 19.

All patrons will be asked to wear a mask for the duration of their time in the theatre, unless exempt.

Robin said: "We kick things off with the Academy-Award winning Nomadland, about a woman in her 60s who, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling, modern day nomad.

"Among the other films we are showing, The Reason I Jump explores the experiences of non-speaking autistic people around the world.

"Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Coleman stun in a devastatingly empathetic portrayal of dementia in The Father, a portrait of a mischievous and highly independent man dealing with his changing circumstances.

"And from The Full Monty director Peter Cattaneo comes Military Wives, the very definition of a feel-good movie.

"Faced with their loved ones serving in Afghanistan, women from different backgrounds come together to form the very first military wives choir.

"Dance aficionados will want to catch South West School of Dance's Moving On, a showcase from their senior class and the first live performance on our stage, but be quick - the Sunday shows sold out in a matter of minutes...

"The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company's modern and passionate staging of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, is also coming to the Strode screen this summer for one night only."

The box office, including phone lines, will be open for ticket collection, booking and enquiries from 5pm today then 5.30pm to 8pm Wednesdays to Fridays, and from 1pm to 3pm on Saturdays.

Call the box office on 01458 442846 or you can book online 24/7 via the Strode Theatre website here.