Tamworth Capitol Theatre cleared for 100 per cent seating capacity in COVID-19, just in time for Mamma Mia! opening on Friday

The COVID-safe crowd had been capped at 75 per cent capacity, but Tamworth Regional Council's entertainment venues manager Peter Ross confirmed the state government had granted an exemption for the theatre, allowing it to have people seated in every spot.

"I can announce that we received confirmation just a few hours ago that we can go to 100 per cent," Mr Ross said on Wednesday.

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"We will be releasing additional seats for all performances which is really, really great because the demand is there."

He said the 100-odd extra seats makes a difference to "everyone's" bottom lines - including for future scheduled shows like Bluey - but wouldn't affect the venue's COVID-safe plan.

Patrons are still encouraged to wear masks inside the indoor theatre.

Mamma Mia! - a musical inspired by ABBA's biggest hits - was thrown off the stage right before its scheduled show dates last year, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Under the COVID rules, singing along to the ABBA tunes and getting up to dance is not allowed, but Mr Ross said that might be a struggle for some fans.

"Lip syncing and bum-cheek wriggling is encouraged," he laughed.

Mr Ross said the stellar cast and light-hearted performance was the perfect production to put on after such a rollercoaster year.

"It's a lot of fun and I think it's perfect timing coming out of COVID - you have a laugh, you have a cry, you get to listen to some great ABBA songs and the story is a feel-good one so I think the community is going to really embrace it," he said.

The state government assessed the Capitol Theatre based on "individual circumstances" when signing off on the 100 per cent capacity allowance.

Mamma Mia! will open at 7:30pm on Friday, and run for two weeks.

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