BARRFIELDS Theatre will finally burst back into life next month after being closed for almost two years by the pandemic.

The much-loved community-run facility will host a major celebration of songs from Broadway during a special show planned for November 13.

Largs Players, Largs Youth Theatre and Largs Operatic Society have joined forces for a special show to re-raise the curtain.

Laura Edison, who is co-ordinating the big event, told the News she was 'buzzing' that live entertainment is returning to the stage after 18 months.

She said: "We are reopening Barrfields with a star-studded event showcasing the best local talent.

"The last big show we did was Oliver with Largs Youth Theatre last year and it was our biggest selling show in 18 years. Obviously, at the time, we had no clue what was about to happen with the pandemic.

"This is one big community night involving all the clubs that we hope the audience will love.

"It is great that this will mark the re-opening of Barrfields."

Audience goers can look forward to numbers from Les Mis, Kinky Boots and Waitress, which is one of the new musicals playing London's West End.

There will also be a full live 12 piece orchestra to accompany the performers.

Laura added: "The Largs Youth Theatre will also be doing a special performance from their adaptation of Matilda, which will be a real highlight.

The show will be the culmination of months of planning to bring Barrfields back into use.

Laura said: "We have been pushing for the re-opening and I have been very passionate about it.

"It is not just the performers, but it is also about the musicians and technicians who have also been out of action. We all need this lift."

A Broadway night will be just the start of the theatre's rebirth, with preparations under way for the Largs Players' panto to return to the live stage for the first time in two years this December.

She said: "It will be Cinderella. We have had to make some slight adjustments whilst keeping the magic and quality of previous shows.

"It is the 49th annual panto, so we are just one short now of the magical 50."

All the shows will have a shorter running time of 70 minutes with no interval to meet Covid-19 regulations.

Another exciting addition for the re-opening of Barrfields is the arrival of a new projector.

It comes after a substantial donation from the Kelburn Wind Farm Trust to help buy the device. It will allow the theatre to digitally project scenery on to the stage for future shows and bring a more modern professional feel to future productions.

Under current regulations, theatre-goers will be required to wear masks unless they are medically exempt, but vaccine passports are not required due to Barrfields not meeting the capacity requirements necessary.

Laura said: "We have worked very hard with KA Leisure to make sure that Barrfields is a Covid-19 safe and secure environment. Tickets can be pre-purchased and there will be staggered arrival times, we will do everything to make people as comfortable as possible."

All tickets must be pre purchased (no door sales) and can be bought online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/largs