All the AFC’s venues, which include Her Majesty’s Theatre, have been operating at reduced capacity of 50 per cent and, more recently, 75 per cent since they reopened after last year’s COVID-19 shutdown.

However, SA Health’s approval of the centre’s latest COVID management plan has enabled it to fill the theatres once more, although audience members will have to wear masks to shows sold above 75 per cent capacity.

Among the first shows to release more tickets are Windmill Theatre Company’s Hiccup, opening this week, and State Theatre Company SA’s The Gospel According to Paul, which opens in the Dunstan Playhouse on April 19.

State Theatre Company SA artistic director Mitchell Butel welcomed the increased capacity, saying “there’s a real feeling of reinvigoration in the air”.

“The fact we’re returning with two of the shows we were forced to cancel this time last year – The Gospel According to Paul and Euphoria – is particularly sweet. The Gospel According to Paul is also nearly sold out.”

The DreamBIG Children’s Festival in May and the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in June will sell shows to 100 per cent capacity and release new seats in coming weeks.

Several Cabaret Festival early-release shows, including the Variety Gala, sold out their initial allocation within just days of going on sale.

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO and artistic director Douglas Gautier says that as well as helping SA arts companies, the latest news will also attract more “blockbuster shows and musicals” to South Australia.