 Mansfield District Council bought the theatre for £11,500 in 1953 and have been responsible for it ever since.After commissioning renovation work, the council reopened the theatre as 'Mansfield Civic Hall' with the first performance in the 'new' theatre being "School for Spinsters" by Chesterfield Repertory Company.In 1963, nearly all of the foyer and façade were rebuilt to give the theatre a new look.