THE curtain goes up tonight on Cinderella at Durham's Gala Theatre - but it is no laughing matter behind the scenes.

Figures released by Durham City MP Gerry Steinberg reveal that there is increasing cause for concern about the theatre's future.

The Gala lost nearly half a million pounds from April to October and the losses appear to be accelerating, rather than being reduced as the city council's new LibDem leadership had promised.

From the farce of its launch, which led to creditors being badly stung, to the on-going financial shambles, the story of the Gala Theatre has so far been a depressing one.

It remains a superb amenity for the people of Durham City but council taxpayers have every right to have questions answered about what must add up to mismanagement.

The full story has to be told, no matter how painful it might be.

Whatever the truth is about Colin Shearsmith's departure as the council's chief executive, it is inevitable that there will be a public perception that it is linked to the on-going troubles at the Gala Theatre.

Mr Steinberg asks: "Was he pushed or did he jump?" It is a question that the people of Durham City, who have had to bail out the Gala Theatre, have a right to know.

They also have a right to know how much longer the financial crisis has to be tolerated.

Cinderella had a fairy godmother to make her dream come true - but there is no magic wand to give the Gala Theatre story a happy ending.

That will take honesty, transparency and - most importantly of all - effective leadership.