IF you have seen a production at York Theatre Royal, have you wondered what goes on behind the scenes? Or what the dressing rooms look like?

On Sunday comes your chance to answer these and other questions, when the theatre opens for tours and teas from 2pm to 4.30pm as part of the Residents First Weekend 2008. The tours start every 30 minutes and last 25 minutes; there is no need to book, just turn up.

"This event will be a rare opportunity to see behind the scenes of the legendary Theatre Royal pantomime, this year's show being Sinbad The Sailor, " says Antony Dunn, head of communications.

"York Theatre Royal belongs to the residents of York, so it's good to find an excuse to let them in to wander around, get to know the place inside out and talk to some of the staff who work here. It's really exciting to demystify the place for people - not to take away the magic of going to the theatre, but to make the residents of our community feel that York Theatre Royal is somewhere they can really belong."

To take part in the Residents First Weekend, you will need a valid YORKCard to gain admission at each participating venue in York.

The theatre is also hosting an exclusive Champagne High Tea for its first 100 Members on Sunday afternoon. York Theatre Royal Membership was launched on December 3 last year; members pay an annual subscription and receive a membership card giving them discounts on tickets and at the café bar.