The curtain came down for the final time on the old Marlowe Theatre on Sunday evening with a variety show which proved a fitting tribute to the much-loved building.

The evening featured dancing, singing, comedy and music, as well as the classic wooden bench gag from the Marlowe’s popular pantomimes.

After a welcome from the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Carolyn Parry, comic Dave Lee – who has made more than 1,000 appearances at the Marlowe – warmed up the sell-out crowd.

From then until the end of the four-hour show the acts came think and fast, with appearances from John Altman (Nick Cotton in EastEnders), Peter Duncan, the Marlowe Youth Theatre and comedian Jon Holmes (Dead Ringers and the Now Show), who once worked at the Marlowe as its lighting and sound man.

For full details, and a picture gallery from the night, see the Kentish Gazette website>>>