A theatre threatened with closure when its owner entered administration in 2007 has reopened after being handed a new lease of life by the University of Derby.

The Derby Theatre - formerly known as the Derby Playhouse - reopened its doors to the public on 7 October after the university acquired a 99-year lease on the venue from administrators in April. Refurbishment work has been carried out at the venue during the summer and the university has also secured a partnership with DerbyLIVE to stage a range of public performances.

Professor Michael Gunn, the university's pro vice-chancellor, said: "There is a tremendous opening programme for our first season operating the new Derby Theatre as a learning theatre that supports our students in an experiential learning environment. "Also, an environment that provides high quality productions for the benefit of all the local community, including our students, and that creates a sustainable operation that will have a long-term future for the benefit of the city of Derby and the county of Derbyshire."