ORGANISERS of this year's open day at the Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone, admitted they were somewhat taken aback when more than 1,500 people turned up.

They passed through the doors of the Hazlitt and Exchange Theatres on Saturday to enjoy the free entertainment and catch a glimpse of the goings-on backstage. Maidstone Borough Council's cultural marketing manager, Alison McNaught, said: "It was fantastic. It just shows the enthusiasm that people have for their local theatre."

Passing shoppers in Earl Street were kept amused by the antics of the Kent Circus School and music from Mercury FM. Inside, the Hazlitt Youth Theatre did a preview of their forthcoming production called "21 Nights", loosely based on Big Brother.

There was dancing from members of the Hilton Hall Dance Academy, a puppet show from the Stardust Puppet Theatre and music from the SIlver Sands Steel Band. Professional actors ran workshops for the visitors and the public had the chance to question Cedric Monarch , who will play The Wizard in this year's town pantomime of the Wizard of Oz, as well as Colin Ridgewell, former star of TV's Grange Hill, and Sarah Jane Hessle, West End star of Phantom of the Opera.

The Hazlitt Arts Workshop kept younger guests busy making dreamcatchers and there was face-painting too. But without doubt, the most popular attractions were the backstage tours, where the intricacies of curtains, props, and lighting were revealed - and visitors were allowed to have a go themselves with the odd pyrotechnic and sound effect.

Mrs McNAught said: "They really were very popular. We thought we might be taking around 10 or 15 people. Instead we were taking round 90 at the time."