After 20 years in the wings, the Playhouse Theatre has its moment in the spotlight

The Playhouse Theatre itself is now the star of the show, undergoing its first upgrade in more than two decades.

With a new roof, aisle lighting, carpet, chairs and a fresh lick of paint, the intimate space has a new lease on life.

Civic Theatre executive manager Leonie Wallace said the theatre was well overdue for a facelift.

"The carpet and the seats were looking very tired ... it was well overdue, so it's looking quite sharp," Ms Wallace said.

"The old seats had had their day, they were losing their support a little bit, so I think audience members will see a big difference.

"What we're really trying to do here with the theatre is evolve and remain relevant for our community, and make sure we have the infrastructure to support that."

City of Newcastle has invested almost $800,000 in the upgrades, installing 180 new seats and giving the old ones to Young People's Theatre (YPT) Newcastle.

YPT manager Chelsea Willis said she was incredibly grateful for the donation.

"It has become part of our history in repurposing seating and giving it a new life," Ms Willis said.

Work is under way to repair the tired seating and carpet in the theatre. Picture by Marina Neil

The space plays an integral role in the city's cultural community, fostering local and emerging talent including Civic Theatre's UpStage at the Playhouse initiative, which supports artists, producers and playwrights to develop new and reimagined work.

In the past four years the program has given 13 productions the chance to stage their shows.

Audiences who come along to the next UpStage production opening July 2, The Libertine, will be the first to enjoy the completed upgrades.

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The Libertine co-director Charlotte De Wit said the play was "debaucherous, naughty, heartbreaking and hilarious".

"I want audiences to fall in love with theatre again," Ms De Wit said.

"This space is really special, I've been performing here and directing here for the last 15 years.

"It is really exciting to have comfortable seats so our audiences can sit back and enjoy the show, and I think coming into a refreshed space feels really exciting for us."

The Libertine runs until July 11.