STAFF at Exeter's Northcott Theatre say they have been 'overwhelmed and thrilled' by expressions of support from the public, following the announcement from Arts Council South West that it proposed to withdraw all funding from the professional producing theatre in 2009. The theatre heard the news on the eve of its re- opening after a year of closure, during which it underwent a £2.1 million re-development, work which was part-funded by Arts Council South West with an additional grant of £100,000. Andy Sinclair, press spokesman, said that 1,350 customers had so far signed a pledge of support to the theatre — and they had also received more than 300 e-mails since bringing the Arts Council proposal to the attention of theatre audiences and the wider public. Mr Sinclair said: 'An open group was set up on Facebook last week, and already has over 2,300 members. It is very gratifying to see the messages of support and surprise at the Arts Council's proposal, and also the lively threads of debate about arts funding in general that are taking place between the group's mainly young members. 'We also have a website at http://www.saveexeternorthcott.com">www.saveexeternorthcott.com where links to some very interesting local, regional and national coverage in the newspapers and broadcast media can be found.' Mr Sinclair said some people had asked what the Arts Council was referring to when it said it had 'concerns' over issues not met by the Northcott. Mr Sinclair said: 'These fall into four main areas, those of artistic policy, governance, the capital redevelopment project and staff structure. 'We are happy to say all these issues have been addressed or are in advanced stages of being addressed. 'Because of this we would ask people please to keep writing — with confidence — to us, and also to Nick Capaldi, director of Arts Council South West and also to Christopher Frayling, chairman of Arts Council England in London and to Ben Bradshaw, minister for the South West, who has been very supportive of our cause.' Mr Sinclair said bookings for the new and diverse spring season of productions and events at the Northcott had been 'very brisk'. The brochure for the new season at Exeter Northcott is now available, and it reveals an exciting, entertaining, confident and challenging programme of productions and events. Highlights include Looking For JJ, an adaptation of Anne Cassidy's multi-award winning novel written especially for the 13 - 20 age group. Drawing on the blogging culture familiar to users of myspace, Bebo and Facebook, this production from Pilot Theatre Company is a thought provoking, powerful and gripping tale of suspense and intrigue. The theatre's own in-house professional company stage the UK premiere of The Notebook of Trigorin, a free adaptation by Tennessee Williams of The Seagull by Anton Chekhov. For very young children, Lyngo Theatre Company presents a musical theatre treat — the story of Hansel and Gretel told with this company's own special mix of multi-roled performances, captivating songs and haunting imagery. Other top class visiting professional companies include the south west's own Forkbeard Fantasy who bring their new show with an eco-twist Invisible Bonfires to Exeter Northcott. Equally stunning is black theatre company Nitro's production of The Wedding Dance. West Side Story meets Dangerous Liaisons in a passionate new love story, where the movement and energy of salsa drives a fiery and explosive narrative, telling a seductive story of aspiration and betrayal. l Regular news on the theatre's campaign to reverse the Arts Council's decision to cut Exeter Northcott's grant in 2009 can be found at http://www.saveexeternorthcott.com">www.saveexeternorthcott.com