The first professional show held at Basildon's Towngate Theatre in more than eight years has been a "big success".
Grumpy Old Women, a stage adaptation of the popular BBC comedy series, wowed a sold-out audience in the 564-seat theatre on Tuesday evening.
Theatregoers were welcomed to the show, starring Jenny Eclair, by walking down a red carpet as they entered the 18-year-old complex, which had had the threat of closure hanging over its head for the past 18 months.
A Basildon Council spokesman said: "Grumpy Old Women was, to coin a showbiz phrase, was absolutely fabulous.
"We had a full house on the night, the show was a big success and the cast got a standing ovation at the end of it."
The spokesman said more than 340 tickets had been sold for this Saturday's Gerry Cross the Mersey show, featuring Sixties icon Gerry Marsden.
Tickets for Gerry Cross the Mersey are still available priced at £15 by calling the Towngate box office on 01268 495465.
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