IT'S reassuring that the opening of the new era at Worcester's Swan Theatre hasn't been dressed up to be something it isn't.

In admitting to being "disappointed", the man in charge of its rebirth, Chris Jaeger, is typically honest about the fact that the opening night of Jane Eyre was played to a theatre only two-thirds full.

Equally, there are other people in the Faithful City who should be grateful that he stopped short of pointing a finger of suspicion.

"I'd think there are about 4,000 who've supported the theatre in the past, but they may not even be aware we've re-opened," he said.

"Other people aren't aware that we put on performances in the summer months, so it's important to allow time for these things to change."

What he might have said was that, a fortnight ago, it became clear that ticket sales for the theatre's first professional productions had been hit by the old board's demand for thousands of pounds for the venue's mailing list.

"It would seem to be a case of sheer spite, with a clear indication there's a fervent desire for the new management to fail," he said at the time.

It was puzzling that the old board hadn't simply passed on a list for which it had no use, and in which no one except the Swan had an interest.

Given the unnecessary hurdle Mr Jaeger and his colleagues faced, we think he deserves the city's congratulations for making last night the success it was.

As he said, "we have to start somewhere and I'm confident for the Swan's future". So are we.