The Almeida has a new foyer as part of the improvements

The Almeida Theatre in north London is reopening on Thursday after years of renovations costing over �7.6m.

The theatre, which has seen performances from Hollywood actors such as Cate Blanchett, Kevin Spacey and Juliet Binoche recently, has been closed for refurbishment since February 2001.

It has been running performances from a disused bus garage near King's Cross while its Islington home was upgraded.

The theatre has a new artistic director, Michael Attenborough, who was the former assistant director of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The first play under Attenborough's leadership will be a version of Henrik Ibsen's The Lady from the Sea, which opens with previews on Thursday. A gala opening will follow on Tuesday.

'Eclectic vision'

The role of Elida will be played by Natasha Richardson, most recently seen with Ralph Fiennes in the film Maid in Manhattan.

Attenborough told BBC News Online in April that he wanted the theatre to have an "eclectic" vision, and planned to show musicals, classical theatre and new plays.

Attenborough wants the Almeida to be accessible to a broad audience

The restoration of the 130-year-old building has taken over two years.

"The centre of what I want to do will be an eclecticism of choice, a sense of constantly taking the audience by surprise," Attenborough said.

"It will be almost impossible to pin our policy down," he said.

A theatre spokeswomen said the improvements would make it "a much more comfortable space for the audience and for the actors".

She said the seats were much more comfortable, the auditorium had proper central heating and air conditioning.

'Embrace'

The foyer and bar area had been completely re-designed, with a new glass roof and much bigger, more open space.

New dressing rooms have also been provided for the actors.

The traditional wings of the balcony, though no longer seated, have been kept because they "embrace" the stage and make the space seem more intimate, the architects said.

Kevin Spacey starred in The Iceman Cometh at the Almeida in 1998

There is also full access for disabled visitors and actors.

The theatre, which opened in 1980, is hoping to become more accessible to its local community. It plans to work with schools in the area and run drama workshops featuring such luminaries as Dame Judi Dench.

Another new play to be shown in the next few months will be ID, which is directed by and also stars actor Anthony Sher.