ONE of Scotland's most prized theatres will close for two years this June to make way for a major upgrade to the 139-year-old venue.

The Citizens Theatre in Glasgow will continue to produce performances at two other city venues during the £20 million refurbishment amid fears about "going dark" for such a long period.

From June 2018 to 2020 the company, which has been based in its famous Gorbals home since its inception, will present theatre at the Tramway venue and Scotland Street School Museum.

Both venues are in the city's south side and the director of the theatre, Dominic Hill, said that the decision was made deliberately to stay in the same area of the city while the theatre undergoes its revamp.

Originally, venue bosses planned to allow the historic theatre – nicknamed The Citz – to remain open during the building work, but ultimately decided that moving the company out of the building would not only cuts costs, but will make the project safer and less complicated.

Mr Hill said that he hopes the move will attract new audiences to the company's shows.

"We didn't want to 'go dark' for two years, and we are able to produce shows which will absolutely have the Citizens' stamp on them," he said.

"To see the Citz carrying on is important to everyone here, and to open ourselves up to new audiences as well – so we absolutely see it as a positive thing, getting the brand out there while the work goes on."

Mr Hill added: “The Citizens Theatre building is about to embark on the biggest changes to its physical structure in its 139 year history.

"This latest stage in our £19.4 million redevelopment project presents an exciting opportunity for a number of key landmark cultural organisations to work together in Glasgow.

"We hope our audiences and participants will find our offer thrilling and appealing, as they follow us on our journey, as we temporarily move out of the theatre and present an exciting programme of work from different venues across the city."

He said other venues in the city, and potentially a tour further afield in Scotland, will also be part of the company's temporary move away from home.

The building, leased by the Citizens Theatre company from Glasgow City Council, is undergoing a facelift to make it "fit for purpose" and will re-open in the autumn of 2020.

The first Citizens show to be produced at Tramway will open in September 2018.

The Citizens Learning team will run education activities, including drama classes, from Scotland Street School Museum and the theatre’s administrative team will also move into backroom office space there.

The theatre’s production facilities will move into the former Skills Academy building, which is owned by City Building/Glasgow City Council, in Laurieston.

Councillor David McDonald, chair of Glasgow Life, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support the transformation of one of Scotland’s iconic cultural institutions.

"The Citizens Theatre is rooted in the local community and it is absolutely fitting that while the venue is being refurbished, its ambitious programme of live theatre, creativity and learning, will continue across our venues, inspiring audiences from near and far.”

The theatre recently launched its ‘We Are Citizens’ public fundraising campaign which hopes to raise £1.6 million for the building redevelopment.

The Citz, as it is known, has been one of Scotland's leading theatres since 1945.

The Category B listed building opened as His Majesty’s Theatre in 1878 and was also known as the Royal Princesses Theatre until the building was first leased to James Bridie’s Citizens Theatre Company in 1945.

The theatre has secured £11.5m in pledges towards the redevelopment project from Glasgow City Council, Scottish Government, The Robertson Trust and other trusts and individuals.

Applications to Creative Scotland for £1.5m and Heritage Lottery Fund for £4.8m have been submitted with decisions due in December and January.

The full project will not commence until the outcome of these submissions is known.