ONE of the arts world's leading figures has defended the troubled Gala Theatre's former management company which crashed with debts of £700,000.

Anthony Field claimed the Entertainment Team Durham had done a "very good job" in running the £14m venue.

Mr Field, a former Arts Council finance director, spoke out after being identified by The Northern Echo as a director of The Entertainment Team's parent company, Full House Management.

It was awarded the contract for the Gala by owners Durham City Council and established The Entertainment Team to manage the venue.

But the management company ceased trading after a troubled tenure in charge and is now in liquidation.

Mr Field, 73, was awarded the CBE for services to the arts and is a director of London-based firm Theatre Projects Consultants, which acted as consultants on a redevelopment for the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre, in Stratford.

Last night, he said he would not hesitate to employ either The Entertainment Team or Full House Management.

And he backed Mike Power, joint director of The Entertainment Team Durham, who has already seen a similar previous business venture collapse with debts of more than £1m.

Mr Field said: "He and his companies are very well respected in the theatre world.

"But this is showbusiness - some things fail and some are successful."

He could not remember whether he remained a director of Full House Management, but said he had not attended any recent board meetings and believed the company was now "lying dormant".

Although not actively involved in the day-to-day running of the theatre, Full House Management was heavily involved in making preparations for the opening of the Gala and its launch.

Its responsibilities included marketing the venue, training up staff and employing key personnel.

The company was also required to provide box office facilities and negotiate bookings with acts.

Boy band Westlife were brought in to perform at an opening concert, but ticket sales were poor and the costly event flopped.

Full House Management received an annual management fee of £60,000 from the council and it was also allowed it to share in any profits made by the Entertainment Team Durham.

Durham City Council has been critical of the management company, claiming it failed to reveal its true financial position until it was too late.

The authority is now in temporary charge of the 500- seat venue, while new managers are sought to take over its running.