YORK'S Theatre Royal is all set to open its doors to the public next month.

A celebration of York’s creativity, solo shows featuring Ralph Fiennes and Julie Hesmondhalgh, a new drama about writer Graham Greene and spy Kim Philby and Strindberg’s Miss Julie transposed to 1940s Hong Kong are among highlights in the reopening Love Season at York Theatre Royal.

The theatre will reopen on May 17 with Love Bites, celebrating local artists – poets, performers, singers, dancers, digital artists – who have been commissioned to write love letters celebrating the return to live performances following the easing of government restrictions.

Chief Executive Tom Bird said: “We can’t wait to welcome our audiences back to the theatre in May with The Love Season, an exciting and varied programme of work that celebrates what we’ve all been missing this past year - human connection, the live experience, and a sense of togetherness."

Performances will be presented with socially-distanced audiences and adhere to the latest Government and industry Covid-19 guidelines, to ensure the safety of staff and audiences.

Love Bites on May 17 and 18 celebrates York’s creativity with 20 commissioned love letters covering a range of art forms and disciplines.

Former Look North presenter Harry Gration will host the evening which has a “Pay What You Feel” ticket policy.

Multi award-winning, BAFTA- nominated actress Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in The Greatest Play in the History of the World (June 1-5), which is touring northern dates after a sellout Edinburgh Festival run and transferring to Manchester and London’s West End.

Ralph Fiennes directs and stars in the world premiere of T S Eliot’s Four Quartets (July 26-31). This solo theatre adaptation features Burnt Norton, East Coker, The Dry Salvages and Little Giddings which were published together in 1943.

For full details of The Love Season visit the website yorktheatreroyal.co.uk