Haymarket Theatre will reopen in 2004

Managers at the theatre say the complete replacement of the board members was part of a long-term plan, but has been brought forward by the current financial crisis.

The Haymarket Theatre closed its doors in July after amassing debts of nearly �500,000.

It is hoping to move into a new home in the city's Performing Arts Centre in 2006.

Opening in 2004

Dean of Leicester, Vivienne Faul is overseeing the appointments.

Arts Council England spokeswoman Laura Dyer said the theatre was looking for people with new energy and new ideas to come onto the board.

"All of the stakeholders believe the theatre has a future - so people should not feel anxious about not having a major theatre in the city."

The theatre is not completely closed, as the company is still developing community education work with schools and other groups, she said.

Arts Council England has organised �1.3m in recovery funding to get the theatre back on its feet.