A THEATRE was taken over by young people for a day, to give them a taste of running a business in the real world.

Arts-lovers, aged 11 to 20, came from all over Oxfordshire to take part in the event at the newly revamped Pegasus Theatre, in Magdalen Road, East Oxford.

Producer Emily Winfield said: “We achieved so much. The young people felt so empowered, and found it so much more interesting than just work experience.

“They really took over the running of the theatre.”

The Takeover Day, last Friday, saw young people selling tickets; interviewing members of staff and the public and working on the programming for future shows and productions.

They also spent time creating the theatre’s youth magazine, setting deadlines and putting together interviews, competitions and quizzes.

Participation officer Emma-Jane Greig, who organised Takeover Day said: “The excitement and buzz from the event was really unique, especially as we had the new building.

“The young people were brilliant.”

The theatre plans to stage a repeat of the event next year.