News Guardian.
Published 27 JUNE 2008. By DAVID SEDGWICK
An impression of how the Playhouse will look.
International management company short-listed to run Playhouse.
AN INTERNATIONAL leader in running top-class entertainment venues has been chosen as the preferred operator to run Whitley Bay Playhouse.SMG Europe - who locally own and manage Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena and The Journal Tyne Theatre - has been selected by North Tyneside Council.
Both parties will now enter three-month negotiations to find a mutually successful arrangement to manage the new-look theatre once it opens, expected to be April next year.
As well as venues in the north east, SMG Europe operates successful facilities around Europe, including the MEN Arena in Manchester, the busiest concert venue in Europe; the Konig-Pilsner Area in Oberhausen, Germany; The Bridgewater Hall Manchester and Odyssey Arena Belfast.
Officials at the council believe the company's level of expertise together with their local knowledge and resources, will bring massive benefits to the Playhouse, providing a fresh and professional approach to the project.
Local user groups will continue to have a role to play at the Playhouse, putting on their own amateur dramatics with SMG looking to balance those with commercial events.
Making the announcement at last night's full council meeting, Mayor John Harrison said: "To have a professional company of this calibre interested in running the Whitley Bay Playhouse Theatre is fantastic for North Tyneside and the region's theatre lovers.
"As a council we have made a commitment to make Whitley Bay a high quality cultural hub.
"Having SMG Europe working with us will enable us to drive that ambition forward.
"We also recognise that the local amateur organisations will remain an important part of the theatre's future, encouraging local cultural talent."
He added that the announcement went a long way to his plans for making Whitley Bay Playhouse the third theatre in the region, behind Newcastle's Theatre Royal and the Sunderland Empire.
John Sutherland, managing director for SMG Europe, said: "We see this as a new era for the Playhouse, and are very interested in this project, which we are sure will become a credit to the area.
"Having been short-listed as the preferred operator, we are now entering negotiations to achieve a positive outcome.
"We are keen to extend our interest in operating smaller theatre venues like this as well as large arenas, and as such hope that a mutually beneficial way forward is concluded."
The announcement comes as the Playhouse continues to undergo a major redevelopment to transform it into a theatre for the future.
When completed, it will feature an elegant new glass foyer, front of house facilities, box office and bar facilities, plus a redesigned auditorium with new seating, new green room and chorus rooms.