AFTER almost three months of standing empty, the Swan Theatre was due to re-open tonight with a production of Gilbert and Sullivan's famous operetta Pirates of Penzance.
Great Witley Operatic Society will be the first to take to the stage of the new Swan run by Chris Jaeger and his team at Huntingdon Arts.
But councillors who faced fierce opposition slashing the theatre's funding and supporting Mr Jaeger's bid to run the venue will not be able to attend opening night, because it clashes with a full council meeting.
"I have sent my apologies about not being able to come, but it is unavoidable," said leader of the council Stephen Inman.
Tonight will be one of relief for Mr Jaeger, who raced against time to make the theatre safe for the public.
"This has been a roller-coaster of emotions," he said.
"Great Witley Operatic Society always produces a very high quality performance."
"We are raring to go," said Jean Glover, secretary for GWOS.
"We had no idea we would be opening up the Swan again."
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