New plans for a theatre have been unveiled in the heart of Dudley. The 180-seat complex is set to open next year.

It is being built as part of the new £18 million vocational learning centre development called Dudley Evolve being erected for Dudley College in Tower Street.

As well as catering for students it will be a commercial theatre in the evenings and weekends with a full programme of events. The steel skeleton of the building is now all that can be seen from the road.

But over the next few months, passers-by will be able to observe the theatre develop from a building site to a fully-functioning theatre and stage school.

It will be equipped with the latest sound, lighting, stage and front-of-house equipment and services.

Prospective and existing students studying performing arts at the college will access the new facilities from September next year.

The college’s full range of music, dance, drama, musical theatre, production and performing arts will be taught in the new building.

However it is also hoped it will become a recognised venue for shows, pantomimes and concerts in the town centre.

Sarah Browne, the college’s manager for the curriculum area, has been instrumental in the design and specification of the new theatre.

“We wanted to gain maximum use of the Evolve Theatre,” she said. “And we recognised that to attract touring shows we needed a professional venue, comparable to other venues in the region.”

Dudley Evolve forms part of a £30million university-style campus scheme planned in the town centre.

Meanwhile, preparation work has begun on a new multi-million pound sixth form and higher education centre on the corner of Priory Road and Ednam Road.

The centre will be built on land near Grade II-listed Kudos House.

College bosses wanted to demolish the building but had to rethink after it was listed. It will be altered to be used by college staff.