REHEARSALS for the first production at the Swan have already begun but Great Witley Operatic Society still faces uncertainty if the show will go on.

The company, which specialises in Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas, booked the theatre last year under the previous management.

Despite the closure of the theatre, the group remained determined to stage its production of Pirates of Penzance beginning on Tuesday, April 29.

But if councillors decide to "call in" the city council's cabinet proposal to have the theatre run by Huntingdon Hall's Chris Jaeger, with the amateur groups, a decision will be delayed for two months.

Paul Thompson, chairman of the Great Witley Operatic Society, said rehearsals had already begun and the opening date had been booked up since last year.

Delay would force the production "to the back of the line" in the summer, or cancel it altogether.

"I think that the councillors who are minded to call this in probably do not object to the plans but merely feel that the leader has gone about this the wrong way.

"This could cause at least one show to be deferred or even cancelled and I do not think they realise this."

"It could appear to the public that they are putting party before city."

"Any delay makes it more difficult and complicates everything from booking sets to ticket sales," said David Humphries, chairman of Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society's Youth Section, planning to stage Annie Get Your Gun from Tuesday, July 29.

"I would urge councillors to consider the difficulties that amateur groups would be in if a decision was not made quickly."

Leader of the Labour Group, Adrian Gregson, accused the cabinet of deciding on this proposal in secret and said any councillor from any party might call in the proposal for further scrutiny.

"All this business about Chris Jaeger running it as a joint venture has been carried out basically in secret, and the first time there will be any proper public discussion about it will be next Tuesday," he said.

Coun Gregson said councillors would only have 10 days to consider the plans before it is debated before full council on Tuesday, March 4, a debate which coincides with the final discussion of the budget.

Gerald Harris, chairman of the Swan Board of Directors, said the board was never asked if it wanted to submit a bid to run the theatre after surrendering the lease to the council.

He added that it appeared the city council had found some more money to run the theatre which the board had previously been told was unavailable, forcing it to close in the first place.

"It seems to us like a very undemocratic process by the local authority," said Mr Harris.