Countess of Wessex to open PLAYHOUSE

03-DEC-09

Issued by: Jeanette Hedley

An historic theatre that has served the North Tyneside and wider community since the 1920's will count a Royal visitor among its audience next week.

Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex will on Friday (December 11) officially open the PLAYHOUSE Whitley Bay, sponsored by the Evening Chronicle, during a two-day visit to the borough.

While in North Tyneside she will also visit Tynemouth RNLI station and the North Shield's Seafood Training Centre, which is ensuring traditional fishing industry skills continue to thrive.

North Tyneside's Elected Mayor, Mrs Linda Arkley said: "I am delighted that the Countess of Wessex can take time out of her busy schedule to visit North Tyneside and I am sure she will enjoy her visit to three venues that are important to the borough and its communities.

"The PLAYHOUSE theatre is a stunning venue that is catering for both professional and community productions and is helping bring in audiences from across the region."

The venue recently underwent a multi-million pound refit, funded by North Tyneside Council, with the support of the European Regional Development Fund. It continues to be owned by the council and is managed on their behalf by SMG Europe, who locally own and manage Newcastle's 11,000+ seater Metro Radio Arena and 1,100 seater The Journal Tyne Theatre.

During the visit The Countess will meet those involved in the project and spend a short time watching entertainment on the stage by local school children and the cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which is currently appearing at the PLAYHOUSE.

The audience will include around 120 carers of adult and children across in the borough, who have been invited in recognition of the invaluable roles they perform.

The Countess will be invited on stage to unveil a plaque, which will mark the venue's official opening.

Earlier in the day Her Royal Highness will visit the Seafood Training Centre (STC) - the North East base of the national Seafood Training Academy - which provides training targeted at improving the skills of existing members of the fishing workforce, as well as new entrants to the industry.

The centre is based within the £5.2million North Shields Food Park, which has been purpose-built to provide accommodation for the food processing industry, and forms part of the Fish Quay regeneration.

During the visit Her Royal Highness will meet people involved in fish filleting training and members of the Women's Institute who will be taking part in a fish filleting demonstration in the mobile filleting training bus.

Four sixth form students from Whickham Comprehensive will also join the Centre's consultant chef, Adam Hegarty in a cookery demonstration in their state-of-the-art galley.

Mrs Arkley added: " It is great that The Countess is getting an opportunity to see so many different aspects of living in North Tyneside.

"The Seafood Training Centre is an important project in the regeneration of the North Shields Fish Quay being delivered through a successful partnership approach, including £700,000 provided by One North East. Now this exciting facility is playing a key part in supporting the fishing industry that is so vital to our regional economy."

"While the Tynemouth RNLI station delivers a much valued service for residents and visitors visiting our coastline."

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