DURING the last few years, I have had some wonderful times at the Swan Theatre.

The productions were always entertaining, often innovative and constantly interesting, challenging and thought-provoking.

In essence, cutting-edge drama delivered by a totally committed team, an experience that only live theatre can deliver.

I firmly believe that in all the wrangling and arguments about the funding of the Swan, and whether it will or will not close, the contribution of Jenny Stephens and her team has been overlooked.

Her attempts to make the Swan a rare producing theatre was a bold move and, although eventually unsuccessful, I thank her and her team for their efforts, as should we all.

I have also long been a supporter of the brilliant work that Chris Jaeger and his team have been doing at Huntingdon Hall. His support for the Arts in Worcester is long overdue some national recognition.

I enthusiastically wish Chris well in his attempts to save the Swan and, as a signatory to the oft-mentioned petition, will be doing my utmost to support events at both venues.

I hope many of the people of Worcester will do likewise. There is just nothing to compare to a live performance - certainly not television!

I am, however, apprehensive. It is very clear to anyone who regularly visits Huntingdon Hall just how much effort Chris Jaeger throws into keeping that venue afloat. There are regular updates for audiences in his now famous pre-raffle speeches.

Should we not all be concerned about the stresses and strains on a man who has already given his heart and soul to promoting the Arts in Worcester? Can he really run both venues?

It would be a difficult job to juggle, even if the Swan was in a position to be restarted without delay. There is always a danger that Huntingdon Hall could suffer as a result of this move - a danger that Chris Jaeger, for all the right reasons, and encouraged by a smiling council, will spread himself too thinly. I hope that I am wrong.

In the long term, whether Chris Jaeger is successful or not, it is clear that serious long-term planning to build Worcester a new modern theatre, of which we can all be proud, is needed.

But the question has to be asked - is the current Worcester City Council the team upon which we can rely to effectively carry out this task?

JOHN BRADY,

Worcester.