A THEATRE in Boscombe has built two new dressing rooms after being awarded £10,000.

The Shelley Theatre has created two new dressing rooms under its main stage thanks to a grant from the Talbot Village Trust.

The theatre, which opened in 1870, is now leased to the Shelley Theatre Trust and has already undergone a restoration project to ensure the building is updated with a fully functional stage area, bar and box office.

Four new toilets, a shower and a dedicated private space is now also available for production companies to use.

Zoe Dunne, venue manager, said: “Our objective was to restore Shelley Theatre as a place for the community to participate and be part of. We couldn’t have achieved this without the generosity of Talbot Village Trust. We have already received really positive feedback from performers who say the new changing rooms have a real sense of professionalism.”

Russell Lucas-Rowe, Trustee of Talbot Village Trust, said: “When we received the grant application from the Trust, we were immediately struck by the history of the theatre and wanted to help ensure that it would continue to add to people’s lives as a vibrant community resource.