Bradford Playhouse has had several reincarnations since it was established nearly a century ago, with JB Priestley at the helm.

Over the past decade, the Little Germany theatre has battled financial struggles and faced closure. It went into administration for the third time in 2008, and the following year was relaunched with a new management board and a radical new look.

Now the Playhouse is entering another phase, with a new leadership team aiming to develop it as an arts venue, while maintaining its traditional community use.

The new team – three paid staff members and several volunteers – is working with organisations and businesses across Bradford to bring in new users, not just to the theatre but to Little Germany itself.

Artistic co-ordinator Douglas Thompson sees the Playhouse as a catalyst for change in that much-treasured but often little-used corner of Bradford. “Chapel Street is key to Little Germany’s regeneration. If it fires up in a sustainable way, it will have a positive knock-on effect on the area,” says Douglas.

“This is a fantastic part of Bradford and it needs a thriving infrastructure. For us, it’s about striking the balance between opening up as a hub for the arts, pulling together different communities and working with local businesses.”

Douglas is liaising with Bradford Chamber of Commerce and businesses on potential opportunities at the venue. Refurbishment plans include making the basement bar available for business meetings.

There’s also an emphasis on education. Douglas spent 15 years as a theatre-in-education consultant for local authorities in Bradford and Leeds, focusing on literacy and language development.

He hopes to draw in schools and students, getting more young people utilising Little Germany, and is setting up a youth theatre and various classes.

Playhouse volunteers, some of whom are on back-to-work programmes, are encouraged to get involved in arts projects as well as administrative tasks.

“They learn new skills and experience different aspects of the venue,” says Douglas. “We have just been approached by some Bradford College students who want to do a play in the Studio.

“It’s not just about providing rehearsal and performance space, it’s about maintaining contact and allowing students access when they graduate, so they don’t just disappear.

“Students tend to stay in the same areas – we’re trying to attract them to this side of the city centre. We’re building links with the college and university.”

Lack of disabled access has long been an issue at the historic theatre, currently part- funded by the Arts Council, and now there are plans to install a lift – the focus of a fundraising programme launched this summer.

Other ideas are being discussed at regular ‘think tank’ sessions involving theatre members and users.

Next month, hundreds of people from across the region will pour into the Playhouse for a conference held by the West Yorkshire Theatre Networking Group. The team is also building a network closer to home, working with organisations across Bradford.

“It’s important to us to work with other venues such as Theatre in the Mill, Manningham Mills Community Association and Gallery II,” says Douglas.

“We’re working on a ‘Secret Map of Bradford’ with Gallery II. We want people to know this is not a dead city centre – there’s a lot happening here.

“We are creating core work here at the Playhouse, and it’s there for everyone. If people drop by during an afternoon, they can see dancers rehearsing, our photographer-in-residence taking shots, musicians playing and work-in-progress.

“If someone has an idea and wants to try it out, we’ll see if we can fit it in. We’ll do everything we can to support people who use the Playhouse.”

“I moved to Bradford because of this place – I’m passionate about it. It is essential that the people of Bradford share a sense of ownership here, and don’t see it as a clique.”

Forthcoming events at Bradford Playhouse include an ambitious production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, involving ten different multi-media interpretations around the building and a performance in Bradford’s Urban Garden on June 21; a tribute to music hall artist Dan Leno on May 27; hypnotist Acari on June 18; and a Bradford Theatre Arts musical fantasy called Jovian from July 6 to 9.

* For more information, ring (01274) 82066,6 or visit bradfordplayhouse.co.uk.