Shrewsbury’s new £28 million theatre has been given a warm reception by the audience at the first event ever to be held at the new venue.

The first audience at Theatre Severn took its seats in the auditorium yesterday and listened to a sell-out lecture by Professor Lord May of Oxford. 

Lezley Picton, the borough’s cultural services manager, welcomed people to the theatre. She said: “It is a momentous day for everybody here.”

Lord May, who gave a talk called Darwin’s Scientific Legacy and Climate Change, said it was a “great privilege and pleasure” to take the first event at the theatre, which he said was very fitting for “the most distinguished son of Shrewsbury”. 

Jennifer Stothert, 35, of Much Wenlock, attended the lecture. 

She said: “I think the theatre is excellent. I used to buy tyres from what is now the bar and it’s interesting to see a new use of an old building and the integration with the modern style.”

Mark Harding, 46, of Craven Arms, said he was also impressed. 

He said: “I like the idea I can come somewhere fairly close to home and it’s a very comfortable environment, particularly listening to a world-class speaker.” 

Linda Stanyer, 44, of Town Walls, Shrewsbury, added: “The theatre is absolutely gorgeous and impressive and a great credit to all the hard work that’s gone into it. 

“It will be a great asset and we are already booked up for lots of things.” 

David Kemp, 63, of Dorset, visited the theatre as part of a trip to see his daughter. 

He said: “It’s a brilliant new theatre. I will come here again. I came here this weekend because of the Darwin connection.” 

Alan Shrank, 76, of Town Walls, Shrewsbury, said: “The inaugural event was packed to the roof and was a superb event.”

By Rebecca Lawrence