Bristol Old Vic has unveiled plans for a redevelopment programme which will begin at Christmas with a series of productions.

The company, which moved out of the Theatre Royal in August 2007, will return to the venue for a couple of years before moving to a temporary home in 2010 while the theatre is fully refurbished.

This has been made possible because the company secured funding from Arts Council England and Bristol City Council, and because basic building work such as repairing the leaking roof has been completed.

The Old Vic hopes to raise £19 million, of which £6.1m has already been collected, for the rest of the theatre refurbishment.

A children's play called Home will open in the theatre's Studio performance space on December 27.

Yesterday, executive chair Dick Penny announced other highlights at the theatre next year, including productions of Romeo and Juliet and Samson and Delilah and involvement in Bristol's annual Slapstick Comedy Festival.

"My vision is for this theatre to be Bristol's Old Vic, rather than the Bristol Old Vic. It has to be for everyone," he said.

"Last year the theatre shut abruptly and its future was beset with doubt. The extraordinary show of public support at the packed public meeting in January 2008 began the rebuilding process."

He said the company is still looking for an artistic director and hopes to fill the position by Christmas.

Mr Penny also revealed a three-phase programme to redevelop the Theatre Royal complex.

Repair work will continue at the theatre as productions are staged during the first phase, and further refurbishment plans will be finalised.

Phase two will begin when the Old Vic's fundraising target is reached, and will see the company move to a temporary home in 2010. A venue has not yet been confirmed.

This phase is expected to take about two years and the company will remain active throughout that time.

The Old Vic company will return in the final phase, which Mr Penny hopes will be begin in 2012, to open the redeveloped complex – with repaired electrics, improved audience comfort and five performance spaces instead of two.

Doors at the theatre open today and tickets will be on sale Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm.

The theatre is starting a scheme where all concessionary tickets will be half price and some seats will be on sale on the day at £5 each.

For more information on the theatre's productions, visit www.bristololdvic.org.uk. The box office is open from 10am today on 987 7877.