A COLLEGE alumnus and best selling author has opened Barton Peveril’s remodelled theatre. The sixth form college in Eastleigh welcomed back BAFTA award winning, David Nicholls, to open the extensively remodelled Rose Theatre on June 23. The theatre, which underwent a £1.35m reconstructions now boasts 372 seats, fully updated technical infrastructure and offers another, larger functional space for students to practice and perform for college productions. The reopening included a range of performances from students, before Nicholls unveiled a mural commemorating the event. Nicholls, who completed his studies at Barton Peveril in 1985, reminisced of his time at the college and spoke of its inspiration for some of his writing.