Exeter’s Northcott Theatre is to reopen - at least in the short term - with a new company set up by the University of Exeter taking over the venue.

The move means that the theatre will go ahead with the Exeter Summer Festival and a proposed winter programme, including a Christmas show. However, the new company will only operate until March 31.

According to a statement issued by the university: “By then, the Northcott’s stakeholders - Arts Council England, Exeter City Council and the university - will know what funds they have at their future disposal following expected cutbacks in public funding by the new government. The three organisations have agreed to keep their funding at current levels until March 31, 2011 provided they don’t suffer budget cuts this year and that an acceptable programme of activity can be set out for the remainder of the financial year. The eventual aim will be, subject to funding, to set up an independent company to run the Northcott.”

You can read the full story on thestage.co.uk