A new company has been set up to run the Tyne Theatre and Opera House in Newcastle. Known for the last few years as the Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre, the venue has been run by SMG Europe, which also operates the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle and the Playhouse in Whitley Bay, for ten years.
On 5 January, SMG ended its association with the theatre and the new company, Tyne Theatre & Opera House Ltd, has been formed by the Tyne Theatre & Opera House Preservation Trust, a charity set up in 2004 to look after the Grade 1 listed building which opened in 1867 and now owns it.
The new company will be making a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop education and community work.
After being damaged by a serious fire in 1985, the original Victorian stage machinery was restored and is still fully operational.