Revamped theatre draws crowds

In two weeks' time 6,500 people will be in town for the opening gala performance at the venue, Europe's largest outdoor theatre. A further 6,300 seats have also been sold for the follow-up event featuring chart-topping stars from the 1980s.

Since the Queen officially opened the venue in May, it has attracted more than 30,000 visitors in its first six weeks, with near sell out audiences for the England World Cup games presented as part of the BBC Month of Sport season.

Revealing the figures, Scarborough Council leader Tom Fox said: "What's gone on there has been absolutely fantastic."

The theatre, for decades a vandalised ruin, has been restored with 3.5m provided by the 140m Sands Project to regenerate the resort's North Side.

A world class concert will raise the curtain on Friday, July 23, featuring opera stars Jose Carreras and Dame Kiri te Kanawa, sponsored by Welcome to Yorkshire. The evening – to be followed by a huge fireworks display – will be the first time the two stars have performed together in concert in the UK.

The host will be actor Brian Blessed with music from the Orchestra of Opera North and the Huddersfield Choral Society.

The chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, Gary Verity, described the theatre as "a fantastic addition to arts and culture, not only in Yorkshire, but in the UK".

He added: "It is wonderful to see this historic theatre, in the most beautiful setting, brought back to life. The events this summer will showcase one of Yorkshire's newest theatrical jewels and Welcome to Yorkshire is very proud to be associated with this awesome amphitheatre".

Over the summer the venue will offer the best in national and international entertainment for all ages in a programme drawn up by operators Apollo.

The chairman of Apollo Resorts and Leisure, Paul Gregg, underlined that the venue had already attracted big crowds through its free sports screenings before it was even officially open to the public.

He added: "This is a first for any British resort to bring big screen digital entertainment to visitors, residents and families to share important sport and cultural events in a great atmosphere while on holiday.

"The open air theatre gives the resort a huge advantage bringing the best of the world's entertainment to the resort."

The theatre was originally opened by the Lord Mayor of London in 1932 and enjoyed regular sell-out large scale musicals, concerts and performances throughout a long history.

But the venue was last reduced to staging a local version of It's A Knockout, both sides fielded by the local YMCA and one posing as a different visiting team depending on the stage of the tourism season. The last concert was by James Last in 1986.

Scarborough Council chief executive Jim Dillon said: "It is with great pleasure that I look forward to the gala opening night, when two of the world's leading opera stars will grace this unique venue and provide an evening of spectacular entertainment.

"We have already seen how the theatre can pack in the audiences, for the visit of The Queen and the many BBC sport events that have been shown in the last few weeks.

"I am confident that the theatre will go from strength to strength with the wealth of high quality, varied entertainment that Apollo is bringing.

"The theatre will have a major impact on the local economy by attracting significant visitors to the area and enhancing its reputation as one of the best places to live or visit in the country and as an international destination for high quality entertainment."