Sting to become honorary president of Tyne Theatre

Oct 5 2010 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

NORTH East rock legend Sting is among a group of showbusiness legends who have lent their support to one of the region’s most historic cultural buildings.

The Wallsend-born superstar will today be announced as an honorary vice-president of the Tyne Theatre and Opera House Preservation Trust after lending his name to the ongoing campaign to preserve and restore the Grade I-listed Journal Tyne Theatre.

Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler, creator of the 1983 guitar classic Local Hero, and film director Mike Figgis will also become honorary vice-presidents.

Trust secretary Mike Summersby said: “Our list of honorary vice-presidents reads like a roll call of North East entertainment royalty. Getting Sting on board is a major plus for the Trust.

“He has risen beyond stardom in his chosen profession to become an international ambassador for so many important causes, particularly in the field of conservation.”

Trust chairman Malcolm Dix said: “I had an exchange of text messages with Mark and I was delighted when he agreed to lend his name to the work we are doing to restore the Tyne Theatre and Opera House to its former glory.

“It’s great also to have Mike Figgis on our list of honorary vice-presidents. More years ago than I care to remember, I was manager of a group called The Gas Board.

“Mike at that time played trumpet, and Bryan Ferry was our lead singer.

“Both went on to mega-stardom in their respective fields and it’s quite a coincidence that both Mike Figgis and Sting agreed to join our list of honorary vice-presidents in the same week.