Dubbed the grand old lady of Grey Street, the Theatre Royal in Newcastle has enjoyed a central spot in the city and in Geordies' hearts for generations.
During that time the listed 1837 theatre has withstood its challenges but its 18 months of pandemic closure could have proved fatal.
An independent charity, reliant upon ticket sales, it was hugely relieved in late 2020 to receive a £3m lifeline from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Government's £1.57bn rescue pot for hard-hit arts and heritage venues, which saved it from risk of permanent closure. But, while it eased the immediate burden, the future uncertainty remained.
