A FORMER actor says taking over at the theatre where he first trod the boards is “like coming home” after decades away.

Rob Mitchell-Gears is the new manager at Clacton’s historic West Cliff Theatre, which celebrates its 125th birthday next year.

He was with Clacton Amateur Dramatic Society he was a teenager.

“I did my first show here when I was 15,” said Rob. “Then I did my first paid show here as a technical person for Francis Golightly’s Summer Show the year Ruthie Henshall was here in 1986 or 87.

“From there I left Clacton and wandered off to be an actor for four years and did OK.

“Then I drifted into the technical side and ended up at the Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford for 26 years.

“It had a similar feel to the West Cliff. It was volunteer-led and had a warm, cosy atmosphere.

“It was like a family and I stayed there for a long time.”

But Rob couldn’t resist when the chance to run the West Cliff came up.

“It’s a bit of a leap of faith and trial by fire but it’s also very exciting,” he said. “It’s like coming home after 30 years - it’s very strange.

“It look almost exactly the same and feels the same.

“I had a wander around the building the other day and went up to the balcony where I’d done the follow-spotlight years ago and just remembered the atmosphere of the Summer Show.

“It was a massive show and we are trying to build that back up again which will be great.

“It had a great reputation which is coming back. People want that nostalgic entertainment over the summer. It’s the longest-running summer show in the country and that exciting and makes this theatre totally unique.”

Rob is also impressed by the team that give up their time to run the theatre.

He said: “What’s so wonderful is there is so much loyalty and love and passion to keep this building going.

“There is no grant - it is totally self-sufficient. Without the army of volunteers it wouldn’t work and that is an amazing testament to the passion of the people that love this building.”

Rob isn’t planning massive changes at the West Cliff but is hoping to make some tweaks.

“We need to make sure our programming is what people want to see because without bums on seats, theatre won’t survive,” he said.

“But the West Cliff is not in a bad position. With the right sort of shows I think it has a very good future.

“The building is much loved and people feel that the second they walk inside. We get great feedback from customers and the people who perform here.

“I am really thrilled and excited to be coming home after 30 years. I love the building and the passion of the people. I just want to do them proud.”