Actors, producers, councillors and business owners were gathered at the Leatherhead Theatre on Tuesday to celebrate the start of a new season at the playhouse.

The theatre production company Hordern Ciani has returned to Leatherhead this November with three plays Waiting For God, The Railway Children and Season’s Greetings.

The cast of 10 professional actors, with two young locals joining for The Railway Children, usually work an intensive few weeks of rehearsal for one show whilst performing another.

Leatherhead Theatre hosted a gala opening night yesterday (November 6) with a performance of Waiting For God, a stage adaptation of the sitcom Waiting For God, written by Michael Aitkens.

Councillor Mary Huggins, vice chair of Mole Valley District Council, who attended the opening night, said: “It was an excellent Gala.

“As a regular season ticket holder many years ago, I was so pleased to see repertory returning to The Leatherhead Theatre.

“I was delighted to represent Mole Valley District Council and wish them every success”.

Hannah Brackstone-Brown, who plays the character of Belinda in Season’s Greetings, said: “As I was sat in rehearsals for The Railway Children today with my script for Season’s Greetings by my side for learning, I was also preparing myself for performing Waiting For God this evening.

“It’s a real test of discipline and focus for an actor. It’s no surprise that it was the training ground for so many of our greatest theatre names”.

Tickets are available on www.leatherheadrep.com or from the box office on 01372365141.