The popular venue was all set to welcome its first audience since March for a socially-distanced production of Dracula - One Bloody Fang After Another on Wednesday (November 4).
But that's now been put on hold until the new year in response to the latest raft of measures aimed at stemming the spread of coronavirus.
When the curtain does finally rise, the Theatre will be fully prepared to keep audiences safe thanks to a grant from the Theatres Trust.
A temperature gun, automatic hand sanitisers and Perspex screens are among a range of measures installed to make the venue Covid-secure.
It's one of the first 20 theatres to receive this funding, and has been awarded the Society of London Theatre/UK Theatre See It Safely kitemark in recognition of the measures it has taken.
Councillor Mieka Smiles, Middlesbrough Council's Executive member for Communities and Education, said: "We know how much audiences have missed the Theatre, so it's devastating that its first production in months has been derailed by lockdown.
"But it will be back in the new year, when audiences will once again be treated to some really great shows.
"Safety will of course be of paramount importance, so we're enormously grateful to the Theatres Trust for helping to fund measures that will enable the venue to operate in spite of the pandemic.
- For the latest local updates and information, visit middlesbrough.gov.uk/covid19
For information on local help and support, visit Help Boro at www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/helpboro or call Middlesbrough Council's support line 01642 729777
The latest advice from Government and Public Health England can be found at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
