THE keys to the Swan Theatre have been handed to the city council, putting the venue under the authority's control for the first time in its history.

The keys were handed over yesterday marking the end of the venue's 43 years as a producing theatre.

The board of directors closed the theatre in January after the council announced plans to reduce the venue's budget.

"The board of directors regrets the damaging cuts that were made by Worcester City Council, which forced the closure of the theatre and caused it to incur over £50,000 of closure costs," said a statement made by the board yesterday.

Director

"The board of directors have done their utmost to ensure the closure procedures have been handled correctly, that all creditors have been paid, and that negotiations were properly concluded with the many interested parties that have been involved with the theatre over the years.

"Above all, however, the board wishes to see a thriving theatre in the city, a view shared by so many citizens of Worcester who have publicly and directly expressed their concern over the recent demise of the Swan.

"The board hopes that the new management is able to achieve this."

The keys will not be passed on to the new management under Huntingdon Hall director Chris Jaeger until Tuesday, April 1.

"We are really looking forward to that moment and preparing for it," said Mr Jaeger.

"I am just relieved that the political process is over."

Expectations

Leader of the council Stephen Inman called on the people of Worcester to support the newly-opened theatre.

"Hopefully we shall have a Swan Theatre which exceeds people's expectations and suggestions that this will be a second-rate theatre will be totally disproved," said Coun Inman.

The theatre is expected to reopen with Great Witley Operatic Society's production of Pirates of Penzance on Tuesday, April 29.