THE Phoenix Theatre, a treasured local venue for live theatre and performance, is replacing its aging halogen light bulb stage lights with versatile LED lighting in time for its Summer One-Act Play Festival.

The theatre, which has been located in the town’s old fire station for more than 40 years, is nestled between St Mary's Church and the Royal Hotel, and is looking firmly to the future.

The Phoenix Theatre is undertaking a project to reduce its carbon footprint by installing 30 new versatile LED stage lights.

This is because the traditional halogen bulb stage lights give out a lot of heat and in recent summers the auditorium has become too hot for comfort.

The new LED lights will drastically reduce the heat input to the auditorium from 12,000 watts per hour to 1,200 watts per hour.

The auditorium will now be comfortable for audiences on hot summer evenings, as well as for the cast onstage.

This investment represents a significant improvement in the energy efficiency of the lighting, as well as providing an improved experience for its audiences with the lighting effects that can be created.

The installation of the new lights takes place just ahead of the very popular One Act Play festival which starts on July 22 with The Game of Murder by Deborah Hughill, directed by Maurice Thompson.

The festival showcases three comedies that each run for four performances in July, August and September.

The production will appeal to both locals and summer visitors to the town, with each play running for around an hour with the licenced bar open before and after the performance, so people can enjoy a relaxed summer evening of entertainment.

Tickets are now on sale for all performances, from Rossiter Books or online via the Phoenix Theatre’s website.