A THEATRE company celebrating its centenary is looking ahead to the next 100 years with ambitious refurbishment plans.

The management committee of the People’s Theatre has launched a £4m centenary appeal aimed at transforming the look of the building.

The amateur company, in which stars such as Kevin Whately, Ross Noble, Neil Tennant and Andrea Riseborough cut their teeth as performers, has occupied several sites since it began in Newcastle under the auspices of the British Socialist Party.

Since 1963 it has occupied an 80-year-old former cinema beside the Coast Road in Heaton, Newcastle, which it bought and converted at a cost of £150,000.

A fundraising leaflet put out by the company declares: “Our building has reached its limits.”

It explains that an engineering survey indicated that unless a significant amount of work was done to the structure and its electrical and other systems, its future could be in jeopardy.

People’s Theatre chairman Tony Childs said: “The building, which dates from the 1930s, isn’t about to fall down, but it needs to be rewired and the heating needs renewing.

“Also, our ambition is not just about keeping going but about making the building much better for the future.”

The People’s Theatre, which is run by volunteers, receives no public subsidy and is reliant on ticket sales and hire fees.

Mr Childs said that in order to maximise future use and income, alterations were required.

For example, at present the main auditorium and the theatre studio couldn’t be used simultaneously because there was no soundproofing between them.

Also, the building had some redundant spaces which could be put to good use.

“This is the right time to do this work,” said Mr Childs.

“If we don’t, then 10 years down the line, the problems that we’ve got could become much bigger. We have to plan ahead.

“In the medium term the building might become unavailable.

“The People’s company would continue, no doubt, but probably not at the same scale, which would be a shame.”

Mr Childs said the building was already used by many different community groups, but its full potential was not being realised.

The masterplan, involving restoration and redevelopment coupled with a push towards longer opening hours and wider community use, charts a way forward to 2015. As one of the first fundraising steps, the company is appealing for founder donors “to give the sound foundation we need for our Centenary Appeal”.

Envisaged in the masterplan is a striking new look to the building, with its brick frontage replaced by glass to make it look more welcoming.

The People’s Theatre, which was championed by the playwright George Bernard Shaw in its early years, embarks on one of its most ambitious theatrical productions tonight.