WHEN Sheena Wrigley was a child, her parents took her and her sister Merran to see shows at the Palace Theatre and Opera House.

She never dreamed that one day, she would become theatre director of the two prestigious theatres.

Her role as theatre director gives her overall responsibility for the operation of both theatres and for their programming.

Sheena says she would like to see more young people take an interest in theatre.

She said: “I remember we always sat on the top tier when I was a child, which was high and scary for me.

“I would like today’s young people to have the happy memories that I did.”

She was educated at Sandilands Primary School and Fallowfield High School, the only state girls grammar in Manchester at that time.

Yet it was extra-curricular activities which began her interest in the arts.

But it wasn’t at the June Rendell Dance School, which she attended from the age of six to 18, where she indulged her artistic sensibilities (she happily admits that she wasn’t very good). It was drama.

Firstly with the Manchester Youth Theatre and then, from 14, the Garrick Youth Theatre. The blue touch paper was lit by a Garrick director, Chris Fogg.

He suggested she take up drama professionally, so she attended Warwick University’s Theatre Studies course before becoming a professional actor and director for ten years.

She even worked in Canada for three years and on her return to the UK she did productions with ‘lifers’ at Wormwood Scrubs prison.

“Some of them were good actors,” she said.

Sheena has been in her current post as theatre director for six months.

She said: “We are working with producers to launch new musicals at the Opera House whilst keeping traditional musicals at the Palace Theatre.

“I am trying to see as many musicals as I can. It’s part of my learning curve.”

“My new post is about providing a vision and business direction for both theatres.”

Recently, money has been spent on the bars and toilets at the Palace Theatre and she’d like to see similar improvements made at the Opera House.

Two of her past theatre-related jobs have especially helped with her new position.

From 2003 to 2007, Sheena ran the Alhambra Theatre and St. George’s Hall, Bradford as Head of Theatre, Arts and Festivals.

In 2008, she joined Yorkshire Playhouse as chief executive, before moving to HOME in Manchester.

She said: “I love to see a packed house and standing ovation in both theatres. Both are stunning buildings which put on big, sexy shows.”