People have been urged to support the Byre Theatre to ensure the curtains remain up for years to come.
As the revived St Andrews venue staged its first show since closing 18 months ago, those eager for its return were urged to use it or lose it.
Artistic director Michael Downes said the key to its success under the new management of St Andrews University would be converting the community’s affinity for the venue into ticket sales.
By making greater use of the facilities the foyer and cafe as well as the stage he hopes to attract more customers and bigger audiences.
He said: “People have an emotional attachment to the Byre.
“It started off as a cowshed and, even now that it is beautiful state-of-the-art theatre, it is a place where people can feel at home.
“What is vital is that that emotional attachment translates into people buying tickets and coming to shows.
“It’s our job to provide a programme that will bring people in.”
On Tuesday night, a guest audience, including members of the public, theatre supporters, arts groups, university staff and Fife Council representatives, saw the first show in the resurrected Byre.
A financial crisis forced the venue to close its doors in January, last year.
After agreeing a rescue package with Fife Council and Creative Scotland, the university signed a 25-year lease to operate the council-owned building as a theatre, educational resource, general arts venue and music centre.
Mr Downes, also the university’s musical director of music, said: “There was a lot of anxiety and sadness in the town at it having been closed.
“It’s no secret that the university wasn’t everyone’s first choice to manage the theatre. Since agreement was reached, everyone, without exception, has been completely positive and everyone has worked incredibly hard.”
Although it is expected to take a year before programming is at full strength, Mr Downes said there will be more happening, such as concerts and exhibitions.
Improvements had also been made to the cafe, he said, which opened several weeks ago.
Friends of the Byre Theatre secretary, Alan Tricker, said people were glad to have the Byre back.
“It was a black patch in its history for it to be shut for 18 months,” he said.
“Although in the early days of discussion we were apprehensive about another organisation like the university taking it over, once we started talking it sounded like rather a good idea.
“I think it will be a vibrant artistic hub for St Andrews.”