AMATEUR theatre groups left high and dry after the closure of several small theatres have been offered a ray of hope as a £31million new school theatre nears completion.

Belfairs High School, in Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, has come forward to offer groups the out-of-hours hire of its new theatre, which will open along with the rest of the school’s new buildings in September.

The school hopes the theatre will fill the gap left by performance spaces that have closed or are about to, such as New Empire Theatre, Southend, and the Eastwood Theatre, at Eastwood School, which will close to external productions from the end of August.

Belfairs assistant headteacher Sharon Williams said: “It’s really sad to see theatres closing.

“I’ve been involved with the theatre for years, and there’s always been an issue with space.

“It’s very sad we have lost the New Empire and will lose Eastwood Theatre. If we can help, we can go some way to solving the problem.”

The new Belfairs drama space centres on the Mike Fry studio theatre, named after a former teacher and well-known local thespian.

Mrs Williams said: “Mike was quite a big name in amateur dramatics in Southend, and the number of students who have been helped and influenced by him is great.

“He taught at the school for a long time and it’s a nice way to honour the work he did.”

The studio theatre, which will also be available as a rehearsal space, will boast 148 inbuilt raked seats, full lighting rig and a removable wall linking it to the school hall, which can seat more than 300 people.

Mrs Williams said: “There’s all sorts of potential for music, dance, drama and exhibitions.”

The new theatre will officially open on October 19, and although prices for its hire have yet to be finalised, Mrs Williams said it would be reasonably priced.

Steve Volke, 54, secretary of Starlight Productions Amateur Dramatics, said his group has already booked to put on a show at Belfairs.

He said: “We will be putting on a Beauty and the Beast pantomime there in January.”

To find out more about hiring the new drama space, call the school on 08444 772555.