AN all-star cast and delighted audience could not quite hide the anti-climax behind the opening night of Jane Eyre at the Swan Theatre.

Ticket sales were lower than expected - with only two-thirds of the seats filled - and the first professional performance since its re-opening went smoothly rather than with a bang.

Last night the Swan's manager, Chris Jaeger, was clearly in no mood to sugar-coat the situation, saying getting the theatre open again was only half the battle.

"It has been portrayed that I would just come in, wave a magic wand and everything would be okay," he said. "That's not the case. There's plenty more hard work to come and nights like this are just a step on the way.

"We are still hoping the ticket sales will pick up as this week continues, but it really is a case of people hearing about the theatre and coming to support it.

"It would be a crime if a city the size of Worcester was not able to sustain a theatre of its own."

One of the Swan's problems has been the slimming down of its mailing list, with many ardent theatre-goers not receiving full information relating to the new management and re-opening, on April 29.

Supporters

"I would think there are about 4,000 who have supported the theatre in the past, but, if they haven't read the Evening News, for example, they may not even be aware we have re-opened," said Mr Jaeger, also manager of Huntingdon Arts.

"Other people aren't aware that we put on performances in the summer months, so it's important to allow time for these things to change. But we have to start somewhere and I am confident for the Swan's future.

"Despite the turn-out here was a definite buzz around the theatre last night, and the evening confirmed that the theatre's future is in the public's hands.

"The Swan's potential is enormous and it is now up to the people of Worcester to make the most of it, he added."