THE Wycombe Swan has been revamped with a new look for the first time since it opened- hoping to encourage bigger and better shows to the theatre.

Wycombe District Council has allocated £1.195m for the refurbishment but say so far the works are well under budget.

The investment comes as the new Aylesbury's Waterside Theatre gears up for opening in October.

The refresh works included new blue seats, as opposed to the traditional red, new carpet throughout, new furniture in the foyers, technical improvements backstage and work at the town hall.

Theatre director Emma Sullivan said although the autumn season is already strong with hits like Blood Brothers and Spamalot the refresh will make the theatre more attractive to producers.

She said: “It really enables us to talk to producers of shows and say we can fit you in now. What we are really trying to do is make sure producers want to bring their shows to Wycombe.”

Mrs Sullivan is currently in talks with the producers of Hairspray, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Opera North in the hope they will bring their shows to the Swan.

The St Mary Street venue is managed by HQ Theatres under a lease and subsidy from WDC and this is the first time it has been given significant investment since it first opened in the 1990s.

Mrs Sullivan said the fact the investment has come at the same time as Aylesbury opening is “brilliant.”

She said: “it is something new to say about Wycombe. It also nice to be an established theatre. We have been here 18 years.

“It has really lifted the place and improved the atmosphere

“We just hope people will be curious to come back now. We have a fantastic autumn season coming up and next spring there are some fantastic shows.”

Mrs Sullivan said the theatre are “really pleased” WDC invested the money in the project, which HQ Theatres has also contributed to.

She said: “Money should be invested in assets in the town- in the things that make Wycombe attractive.”

Community groups in the area interested in hiring the Swan or the town hall for events may be eligible for the Wycombe swan Community Fund, administered by WDC. For more details go to www.wycombe.gov.uk/arts.

The refurbishment will be revealed to the public on Monday as Blood Brothers starts.