Find out exactly what goes on behind the scenes and why we have become an award-winning theatre and heritage centre at our Open Day on Bank Holiday Monday!

Five years since a 1.6 million pound heritage project to restore and extend the building, the Georgian Theatre Royal is a hive of activity both on and off-stage. Our volunteers will share their stories and explain what it is like to be part of this unique theatre and team. Tour the theatre and museum, see our talented Youth Theatre groups in mini-performances and chat to various groups and individuals about their involvement with the theatre.

PLUS… there will be themed activities for the whole family, face-painting for children, games, bookstalls, guided tours and much, much more! Don't forget to join in the fun of our balloon races and see how far your balloon can travel from Richmond!

Marking the start of the theatre’s Open Day on Bank Holiday Monday 25th August will be a balloon race at 10am in the Friary Gardens, Richmond. The colourful spectacle will launch the 2008 event whilst fundraising for the theatre’s year-round programme of activities. Last year’s balloons travelled as far as the Norfolk/Suffolk border, and Spalding in Lincolnshire. The Open Day itself was so successful that two thousand local people and holiday makers flooded through the historic theatre doors and into the town’s Friary Gardens - a fun-filled day of "behind the scenes" tours, professional street theatre, performances, bouncy castle, face painting, games and prizes were enjoyed by all ages.

This year’s top prize is an autographed programme and tickets to see world class actors including Jenny Agutter and Timothy West (12th – 14th September). Other prizes include tickets to see comedy favourites Barry Cryer and Victor Spinetti who return to the theatre for dates in October. Balloon tickets at £1.50 can be bought in advance from the Box Office with additional tickets available on the day itself.

The theatre is launching a bus from Hawes via Leyburn for this performance in conjunction with the Little Red Bus Company. Full details >>