A private company could be drafted in to drag Southend's Palace Theatre into the next century, it was revealed today.

The theatre board wants to hear from any groups or organisations interested in shaping the playhouse's future.

Total management of the theatre or any of its activities, such as catering, bars and programming, could be signed over to the right organisation.

An advertisement, published by the board, added: "The trust is...inviting proposals regarding the future management of the theatre and its programme."

The theatre is set to close in March for nine months in an attempt to ease a severe cash crisis.

All 42 members of staff - including its current management - have been made redundant as part of the move.

The foyer area of the theatre will undergo a major facelift during the closure, funded by medical instruments company, KeyMed.

In its ad, the board also told of its hopes for the long-term future of the 86-year-old theatre.

It wants to see a mixed programme, with a balance of professional theatre, both in-house and touring, community arts, drama and amateur productions.

The board would like to achieve between nine and 12 weeks of repertory and eight weeks of amateur productions.

The remainder of the programme would be at the discretion of the new management subject to the board's approval.

Any company interested in the theatre should contact the director of leisure services at Southend Council by February 12.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.