AN EAST Oxford theatre is just days away from opening its doors to the public following a £7.4m revamp.

The copper and glass-fronted building in Magdalen Road, home to Pegasus Theatre, has been winning admiring glances from passers-by and will open on Saturday.

The theatre, powered by solar panels, will be a base for youth and amateur performers across the city.

New facilities include a state-of-the-art dance studio, a large workshop linked directly to the stage, a café, new foyer and box office area, and offices above.

Funding included a £1.85m grant from the Big Lottery Fund and the Department of Children, Schools and Families, and about £3m from the Arts Council.

The local community also raised £750,000 to add to grants from major donors.

Capital project director Simon Daykin said: “Seven years ago the Arts Council gave us the first significant funding so it feels like we have been waiting for this day for a long time. What the new building represents is the realisation that this organisation is going places and has a fantastic vision that it wants to share with its communities and beyond.

“The author Philip Pullman donated just over £100,000 to help us develop our dream and there were lots of smaller donations as well, which made a massive difference.

“The building is the shell for the work that goes on within it. You could say it’s the best supporting actor in the process.

“We now have a world-class 21st century venue which is ready to go and is making a very strong statement architecturally.

“People walking past or driving past have been stopping to have a look. The new building is a real head-turner.”

The theatre is reopening on Saturday with a specially commissioned piece called Water’s Flight, which has been created by former youth theatre member Amantha Edmead.

And next Tuesday, performances of All Yours will start, with audiences following the action to different parts of the theatre.

The promenade performances will run all week, ending on Friday, September 10.

On Friday, 150 guests will attend a private performance of Water’s Flight, at 7pm.

For further information about performances go to pegasustheatre.org.uk or telephone 01865 812150