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Video: Topping out at the
new Marlowe Theatre.

The pinnacle on top of the
New Marlowe Theatre was
lowered in place on Tuesday marking the topping out of the
multi-million pound building.

In front of a crowd of supporters
in The Friars and speaking from the top of the theatre council
leader Cllr John Gilbey said the ceremony was a major event in the
history of Canterbury.

He said: “Eleven months ago this
was a wasteland after demolition of the old theatre and Friars
Motors. Now look around and we can feel the vision and appreciate
this magnificent, transformational theatre – an edifice to Keith
Williams’ brilliance.”

Cllr Gilbey said the theatre was on
time and on budget and the first programme was being put together
in readiness for its opening in the autumn of next year. And he
added that the Marlowe was fundamental to the regeneration of the
city.

Hollywood actor Orlando Bloom, who
grew up in Canterbury and is a patron of the new theatre, sent a
message of congratulations and support for the topping out via his
mother Sonia.

Pupils from Canterbury High School
performed street theatre wearing masks and acting out scenes
based on life on a building site after working with the Natural
Theatre Company.

They are some of the pupils who
will use the theatre’s second space for performances and
workshops.

To celebrate the topping out an
information day has been arranged in the city on
Saturday during which the public can see how the redevelopment
is taking shape.

Between 11am and 2pm there will be
street theatre outside the Marlowe and up the High Street and
people working on the project will be available to answer
questions.