BOSSES at the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre have announced there will be an extra 100 seats this year to cope with increasing demand.

The outdoor theatre will now be able to accommodate 5,500 theatregoers over the summer season.

The additional seating is a dramatic development for the theatre which will now be fully 

in-the-round with the famous woodchip stage right at the centre of the audience. The Roman style canopy, which provides covered seating on the back rows of the terraces, will be extended to a full circle and all of the seating banks will be raised creating a new amphitheatre space akin to The Globe in London.

Alex Clifton, artistic director of Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre said: “Working in-the-round we will create an even more intimate theatre, connected more directly to our audience. It will heighten the experience and make an even more democratic, warm and welcoming theatre than the one we had.”

The theatre has grown since its debut in 2010 and so far this year advance ticket sales have reached  3,000, twice as many as sold this time last year.

Mr Clifton said: “We are thrilled with the amount of tickets sold. We’re always delighted to see our audiences return and to welcome new ones as the theatre grows.”

This will be the sixth season of open air theatre in Chester and will include three productions: Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet followed by children’s classic The Wind in the Willows, and as usual comedy is set to delight audiences with The Merry Wives of Windsor.

Mr Clifton added: “We’re pleased to see an increase in family bookings. With offers such as under 12s going free, £10 teenage tickets and students benefiting from £4 off, the venue continues to provide the perfect chance to introduce children and young families to the joy of theatre.”

  To book tickets visit www.grosvenorparkopenairtheatre.co.uk call 0845 241 7868 or visit Chester Visitor Information Centre in Northgate Street. 

Chester Performs is seeking residents with homes near Grosvenor Park to house cast and crew members from June 14 – August 24. 

Full details can be found at chesterperforms.com or by calling Nicola on 01244 409113.