Grammy nominated Anthony Inglis, who conducted the Ulster Orchestra during Saturday night's gala opening performance, has given his seal of approval to the impressive new venue at Mossley Mill.

Speaking to the Times after the event, Mr Inglis, who has featured more times at London's Royal Albert Hall than anyone else in the building's history, said: "It was a great honour to open the new theatre and to be part of the gala evening.

"For a theatre it coped with the sound of the orchestra far better than most theatres would. Sometimes in theatres the sound just gets absorbed by the audience and I was a bit concerned during the rehearsal, but the sound was really good.

"It's a lovely spot - the new theatre and its setting beside the old mill buildings - it's absolutely beautiful. It was a huge honour for me to help open it."

BBC television presenter Noel Thompson, who compered the event, described the new facility as "an absolutely fantastic space."

"It was a wonderful evening. The place looked absolutely fabulous. It's a beautiful setting - the whole mill complex and the theatre itself - and my congratulations go to everyone involved.

"It was a very successful evening. I had a great time and everyone I spoke to afterwards seemed to have really enjoyed it, which is great," he said.

Following the gala opening, the Times also spoke to some of the invited guests to see what they thought of the new theatre. Here's what they had to say...

Actress Olivia Nash - "I thought it was absolutely fantastic. It's great to see another venue in the area and I hope that it will be well used and will provide a wide variety of entertainment. The place is amazing and I was blown away by the whole experience."

Former Ireland and British Lions rugby player, Willie John McBride MBE - "The facility is absolutely out of this world and the people at the council should be congratulated for what they have achieved.

"The place is superb. The theatre is brilliant and really sets the standard for the future. What they (the council) have done at the mill is really terrific and I just hope that people realise what an asset this new facility is to the area and support it."

Vice-President of the Association of Ulster Drama Festivals, Billy Burns - "It is absolutely splendid. The design concept of the whole complex, not just the theatre, is amazing. The theatre itself is light and airy yet quite intimate and the sightlines are perfect no matter where you're seated. The facilities for the audience are excellent, and the backstage facilities are like something from the Hilton in London."

District Policing Partnership Manager, Campbell Dixon - "It was a great night and the new theatre is a fantastic facility for the people of Newtownabbey.