NEWCASTLE Theatre Royal Chief Executive Philip Bernays is postponing retirement to help tackle the current unprecedented challenges.

The Board of Newcastle Theatre Royal Trust has shelved recruitment of a new Chief Executive with Mr Bernays agreeing to carry on for the time being to help them manage the crisis.

Philip Bernays said: "These are extraordinary times and we face extraordinary challenges. I care deeply about the Theatre Royal and couldn’t not continue to support it and the incredible team of people who make it happen. We will come through this crisis; we look forward to bringing entertainment to many generations of theatregoers to come."

Newcastle Theatre Royal closed on Monday March 16 and has cancelled a number of upcoming performances as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Customers are being contacted, as a registered charity which relies on ticket sales the theatre has launched a donations campaign www.theatreroyal.co.uk/support/donate-now