Treasure Island's success means the next season will go ahead

Sixty employees of Derby Playhouse were made redundant when the theatre closed at the end of November.

But administrators allowed the Christmas production Treasure Island to reopen and last week extended it for a further week.

Now tickets are to go on sale for four plays which will run until July.

A consortium is producing a business plan in the hope of persuading administrators Tenon that the theatre has a long-term future.

Former chief executive Karen Hebden welcomed the news that the new season would definitely take to the stage.

Extraordinary meeting

"It indicates a statement of intent that we are definitely planning forward, that we are working with the administrators to make that plan a reality," she said.

"And it gives everybody an opportunity to continue to show the fantastic support they have shown for Treasure Island and for the theatre going forward."

Meanwhile, an extraordinary general meeting of all members of the Playhouse trust will be held on Tuesday.

It has been called by Professor Jonathan Powers, who is heading the consortium trying to save the theatre.

A new board of trustees will be nominated which will not include any members of Derby City Council.

The consortium hopes to operate as a charitable trust and survive without the council's funding.