A massive 40,000 collection of backstage treasure troves will be auctioned off on Saturday (tomorrow) as a theatre prepares to close its doors.

The Citizens Theatre theatre is shutting for two years ahead of a £19.4m refurbishment to preserve the Victorian interior and upgrade the aging venue.

This will be the first time in 140 years that a working theatre has not been operating at the site in Glasgow.

The "On the Move" event has been described as a "once in a lifetime sale"’ of Citizens Theatre memorabilia.

Around 3,000 people are expected to attend the event a the 140-year-old theatre as 72 years worth of production items go under the hammer.

The weird and wonderful props up for sale include teapots, trunks, baskets and ball gowns as well as costumes worn by Ciaran Hinds, Glenda Jackson and Ann Mitchell.

From September 2018 the Citizens Theatre will present its artistic programme at Tramway.

The theatre - originally called Her Majesty’s Theatre - opened in 1878 and became the Citizen’s Theatre in 1945.

Over the years it has played host to star names such names as Robbie Coltrane, Sophie Ward, Alan Rickman and Pierce Brosnan.

Citizens Theatre Artistic Director Dominic Hill said: "The move is absolutely essential if we’re going to ensure that this building exists as a resource for the people of Glasgow for generations to come."

In addition to the sale there will be a series of backstage tours, the opportunity to share memories of the theatre and the chance to explore plans for the new building.

A walk to Scotland Street Museum, the temporary home of the Theatre’s community and education projects during the two year decamp, will kick off events at 10am.

Interest in the historic items is expected to be high and organisers are urging people to go early to avoid disappointment, with doors opening at midday.

There are a number of items up for auction online at citzsale.co.uk.

The online auction will close at 4pm on Saturday.