A STUDIO theatre is to be set up at the Grange Road base of Malvern Theatre Players.

Theatre House is currently used by the amateur troupe as a workshop where sets, costumes and props are made for productions.

Now, thanks to fundraising and grants, sound and lighting equipment and removable seating are to be installed to turn it into a mini-theatre.

The National Lottery announced this week that it is to give £4,000 to the players, which will be spent on a professional quality sound desk and stage lighting board.

Company manager Chris Bassett said if everything goes according to plan, the new facility will be up and running by next summer.

However, at least £15,000 is needed to fund final building works. The group is applying to other grant-giving bodies to try and raise the cash.

The new auditorium will seat around 80 in front of a stage the same size as the one in Malvern's Festival Theatre.

"We felt we need a more experimental space," said Mr Bassett.

The theatre will also be available for rent by other groups. The Malvern Theatre Players also intend to form a youth division, which will perform its own productions as well as supplying fresh talent for the adult group.

Mr Bassett stressed that the youth group was not anywhere near up and running yet.

The next available opportunity for youngsters to get involved in a production will be The Demon Headmaster, scheduled for next year.

MTP is the resident company at Malvern Theatres. As well as offering costume and equipment hire and technical support to other companies, it performs plays, musicals and large cast shows there three times a year, with all profits ploughed back into the theatres.