A theatre has attracted a series of A-list patrons after reopening last month.

First Dame Judi Dench and now Sir Cliff Richard are among those to have urged arts-lovers to visit The Capitol in Horsham as it looks to reintroduce a packed-out programme of entertainment.

In a video message to the theatre and cinema, Sir Cliff said: “Hi everybody, it’s Cliff Richard here.

“Aren’t we going through the most terrible time?

“In my lifetime, I’ve never had to deal with anything like this. My tour was cancelled, everything seems to have closed down, the arts are suffering terribly.

“But there is a glimmer of hope. Everywhere there are little things happening and, certainly in Horsham, in Sussex, there is a big thing happening.

“The Capitol Theatre is open, so all of you in Sussex can all leap down there anytime you want and support it, and keep the thing open.

“There’s a cafe, they are going to show movies, there will be plays, (there is) everything you could wish for.

“I just hope you can support The Capitol theatre in Horsham.”

He signed off with a kiss, blown to the camera.

Matthew Effemey, operations manager at The Capitol, said the video message had come about through a connection the theatre had with Sir Cliff.

After looking through the venue’s website and making sure safety measures were being observed, the singer was keen to add his voice to the supporters of the theatre.

Matthew said: “It’s about getting the message out there to people who might not know about us.

“For us, it’s not just important to have people coming through the doors, it’s essential.

“We are operating at about 30 per cent capacity, so financially we are not making the same money we normally would on a show.

“We are doing our bit and putting on a series of great shows for people to enjoy, we just need people to keep buying tickets and coming through the door.”

The theatre had its first post-lockdown live performance last month, with the venue soon selling out.