MEMBERS of Whitefield Garrick are to stage their biggest production yet.

But instead of performing to a select few at their Bank Street venue in a new play, the curtain will soon rise on a new theatre.

After more than 50 years in the small theatre, plans are well under way for the Garrick's new home and building work has already started on the site of the old car park.

The new theatre will cost in the region of £50,000 and will include refurbishment of the old building, with the intention of linking the two structures.

Mrs Christine Ashton, Garrick member, and wife of the club's treasurer, Martin Ashton, said the project had been a long time coming and members would finally have something to see for their fund-raising efforts.

She said: "We have wanted to do something for years and even put in for a lottery bid a couple of years ago.

"Unfortunately, the bid wasn't enough to cover the cost of a new building and we realised we would have to get down to doing something ourselves."

Once the final decision had been made, fund-raising began in earnest and the Friends of the Garrick was formed.

Members have been involved every step of the way and were invited to fill out a questionnaire asking them how they would like to see the Garrick improved.

Mrs Ashton said: "They decided they wanted it not much bigger and wanted to retain the intimate atmosphere we have. But they wanted better facilities." A target of £10,000 in 12 months was set last May, and the total is already at £6,000, with an additional £1,600 raised by filling Smarties sweet tubes with 20 pence pieces.

Mrs Ashton added: "We asked all our 400 club members to get involved and the response has been tremendous."

The rest of the money has derived from grants and includes the fruits of a very good Garrick savings account!

The new 88-seat theatre, which the club hopes to be built by January 2002, will not actually be up and running until the start of next year's season in September, but could eventually be used as a community facility. It will feature disabled access, a green room, dressing rooms and a servery so the audience can enjoy a cup of tea in comfort instead of remaining in their seats during the interval.

Mrs Ashton said: "Although there will be a lot of work to do inside, there will be something to see by the time people return for our next play at the end of January."