SALISBURY Playhouse gave members of the public a rare chance to go behind the scenes at a free open day on Saturday.

The event was a huge success with around 300 people enjoying backstage tours where they visited the wardrobe department, scenery workshop and stepped on to the main stage.

Visitors also got the chance to see the green room, actors’ dressing rooms, control box and other backstage areas.

In the rehearsal room there were displays showing how theatre lighting and sound has changed over the decades since Salisbury Playhouse opened in 1976. Model boxes containing miniature sets from popular Salisbury Playhouse shows, props and a range of costumes were also on display.

Salisbury Playhouse staff led tours around the building, sharing their expertise and some of the theatrical trickery that makes magic happen on stage. Actors who are currently appearing in Terence Rattigan’s Separate Tables took part in a Q&A session, and BTEC students from the acting and production arts courses performed in the Salberg studio.

There were also competitions and activities for children, displays by the Playhouse’s honorary archivists, chances for people to become volunteers and a cake sale raising funds for the Salisbury Playhouse 40th anniversary campaign.