Live performances will return to Brighton Dome’s Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre tonight following their major £38 million refurbishment.

First on stage from November 1 to 4 is Kin, a new production from award-winning physical theatre company Gecko, coming to the Corn Exchange ahead of its run at London’s National Theatre next year.

The show reflects on migration, inspired by the journey artistic director Amit Lahav’s grandmother made from Yemen to Palestine in 1932. Told through theatre, dance and a compelling global soundtrack, the company’s international ensemble draw on their own experiences of migration, racism and empathy for the performance.

The Grade I listed Corn Exchange will also welcome Edinburgh Fringe sell-out Jordan Gray; genre-defying musicians Penguin Café; and the return of Brighton Dome’s much-loved classical Coffee Concert series.

In December, saxophonist Camilla George brings her blend of Afrofuturism, hip hop and jazz to the Studio Theatre and South Korean dance artist Sung Im Her stages her exploration of power and identity, Nutcrusher.

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The restored spaces will also provide a platform for community events, including musical and spoken word showcases and free family open days, and both will return as core venues for the annual Brighton Festival in May.

One of Brighton Dome’s in-house artists AFLO. the poet has created a poem in celebration of the reopening.

Throughout the refurbishment, architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBS) has worked with contractors to preserve the beauty and legacy of the historic buildings and improve visitor experience.

Read more: Dome’s historical secrets uncovered during £38m refurbishment

Architectural details in the Corn Exchange, from the restored beams of the ceiling’s vast 18 metre single span timber frame to the 34 recreated pilaster columns, reflect the original designs for the building from the early 1800s. In the Grade II listed Studio Theatre, the roof and ceiling have been replaced with historically accurate versions and the crenelated windows have been repaired.

Modern facilities have been installed throughout, including 5G technology, which allows experimentation with live collaboration and performance across multiple locations and platforms.

New creative space Anita’s Room will support local, national and international artists to experiment and create bold new work. It is named after the late Dame Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop.

Elsewhere, there is increased seating capacity in the Corn Exchange, new balcony seating in the Studio Theatre, a new restaurant from B-Corp certified Redroaster and two new bars.

New accessible toilets and modern hearing assistance systems have been installed.

A public lift now provides wheelchair access to all levels of the building, along with low-level service counters at the bars and backstage improvements to support deaf, blind and partially sighted and disabled performers.

Andrew Comben, chief executive of Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival, said: “Restoring these wonderful historic buildings to make them more open to residents and visitors, more useful to the city and its artists, more creative and more sustainable has been a labour of love for the project team and all of us at Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival.”

Bella Sankey, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said:  "The restoration of Brighton Dome’s much-loved Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre has been one of the most important and ambitious projects undertaken in the city during recent years and reflects our commitment to protecting and preserving our precious historic buildings.”