A KIDDERMINSTER Theatre is no closer to reopening its doors than it was 12 months - and local actors are missing the stage.

The world of live theatre was forced to ground to a halt during the lockdown, from West End shows, to performances at the Rose Theatre. The last company to tread the boards at the Rose was the Kidderminster Operatic and Dramatic Society with their version of ‘Our House’ in March last year.

This was followed closely by the Nonentities Society sell-out comedy, ‘Chase me up Farndale Avenue s’il vous plait!’

The society were looking forward to performing a series of 12 Monologues, featuring a variety of playwrights from Bennet to Dickens to Wilde, in November.

However, the opening night coincided with the start of the November lockdown and all performances were cancelled.

A spokesperson for the theatre said: "Our customers have been fantastically generous and many of them have never asked for refunds for the Monologues or indeed the plays we hoped to finish our season with – ‘Heroes’, ‘And Then There Were None’ and ‘Cranford’.

"We do hope to bring those plays to the stage – we just can’t say when.

"We have had so many messages of support and for that we are truly grateful. Financially, we are just about surviving.

"Our actors want to act; stage managers want to work out how doors can fall and hoovers explode; Front of house staff want to welcome audiences.

"We are hopeful that the vaccination program will bring an end to the virus eventually but it’s anybody’s guess when large gatherings sitting in close proximity will be allowed."

The society owns the theatre building and are not reliant on any Arts grants. Paid staff at the theatre were made redundant last year.

The society has kept in touch via regular e-mails and newsletters to members. They have also hosted Zoom committee meetings and even Zoom play readings.

People who would like to provide financial support to the theatre can find out more by contacting admin@rosetheatre.co.uk or by calling 01562 743745.