A theatrical society has celebrated its diamond anniversary with a gala performance.

The 60th birthday of the Oasthouse Theatre in Rainham was marked with a special production of Billy Liar – the play performed when the theatre first opened in 1963.

Showing until tomorrow (Saturday), the show is about Billy Fisher who weaves a world of his own out of his daydreams.

The Oasthouse Theatre in Stratford Lane is close to the centre of Rainham and is one of a complex of oasthouses, a building designed for kilning hops as part of the brewing process.

It was bought by the Rainham Amateur Theatrical Society, as it was then known, in the early 1960s.

Its current home had been lying dormant for several years and was on sale with a suggested use as a storage area.

Many long hours were spent converting the building and, on November 9, 1963, the Oasthouse Theatre was officially opened by Irene Weller and the first production was Billy Liar.

To mark the group's anniversary the play kicked off last Thursday in front of several guests of honour.

The deputy mayor of Medway, Cllr Marian Nestorov and his wife, Mrs Nestorov, Cllr Barry Kemp and the performing group’s patrons, Phil Gallagher and Nicholas Robinson were in attendance.

Unfortunately, Brenda Pearson, one of the founder members of the theatre and longest-serving member of the society was unable to be there.

At the performance chairman Helen Caston said: “We owe so much to the dedicated group of people who had the vision of converting a derelict oasthouse into the first Oasthouse Theatre in the world and to those who followed in their footsteps with the drive and passion to build on their successes.”

Cllr Nestorov also paid tribute to those involved, saying: “Let us express our deepest gratitude to Rainham Theatrical Society for their unwavering commitment to the arts, to this theatre and our local community.

“Your tireless efforts have kept this beacon of creativity and connection alive for 60 extraordinary years, enriching our lives and reminding us of the enduring power of the stage.”

The group continue to perform five main productions a year and a pantomime.

Next year the group will be performing Mother Goose which opens at the Oasthouse on Friday, January 12.

For more information visit the Oasthouse Theatre website by clicking here.

Call its box office on 0333 6663366