BUSINESSES in York are taking to the stage.

They are rallying behind York Theatre Royal's new corporate hospitality programme, Stage Partners, at a time when City of York Council is proposing to cut its youth theatre grant by half.

Already five organisations in the city have joined the programme, membership of which starts at £500 per year with three different levels according to corporate need.

On board are the University of York St John, organic wine producers Vince Meros, solicitors firms Denison Till and Burn & Co and publishers Stone Soup.

Chris Barton, managing partner of Denison Till, said: "The York business community should be showing its support of the theatre as a community institution at a time when some of the valuable work it does is under threat."

Duncan Clarke, the theatre's public relations officer, said there had been "lots of inquiries" about the scheme which was launched a month ago.

He said: "Of course we have had successful corporate hospitality before, but never in such a structured way.

"Daniel Bates, our chief executive and Rachel Chapman, head of marketing, have both actively encouraged the theatre to offer opportunities to the business community to really get involved in the cultural fabric of our city - and it's working."

Common to each membership level is the use of a private function room and catering to entertain guests before seeing productions.

Members also have total freedom to choose which productions and performances they want to see

The basic level includes 20 tickets per year for the best available seats in the house, priority booking, free programmes and special offers and discounts for employees as well as programme and website publicity.

There is also an opportunity to take corporate guests on a backstage tour.

The next level, which costs £1,000 per year, offers 40 tickets as well as invitations to press and VIP nights for all productions, plus all the basic membership trimmings.

Level one costs £2,500 for which firms get all the basics plus 70 tickets per year, a dedicated host for the member company from the theatre's senior management, plus one performance sponsorship per year.

There are also invitations to rehearsals and company profiles in one of the programmes.

The theatre produces 15 plays a year, with several productions going on tour elsewhere in the UK.

Its most recent production, Steptoe And Son In Murder At Oil Drum Lane, is due to open at London's Comedy Theatre next month.

The theatre also hosts some of the country's leading theatre and dance companies, including English Touring Theatre, Oxford Stage Company, and Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Last year, more than 150,000 people attended productions at the York theatre.

For further information, phone Rachel Chapman, on 01904 658162.

Updated: 11:06 Friday, January 27, 2006