A flavour of what's been and what's yet to come left supporters of Canterbury's Marlowe Theatre spellbound.

A gala performance, held last night, was the culmination of a weekend of festivities to celebrate the theatre's fifth anniversary, which had included workshops, tours, street theatre and live music.

Hosted by Ben Roddy, who is a popular dame at the theatre, the show featured diverse performances of music, theatre, poetry, ballet and opera - and of course, a dash of panto humour.

The National Theatre’s War Horse, inspired by former Kent primary school teacher, Michael Morpurgo’s book, gave audiences a taster of the show, which will come to the Marlowe next year.

There was also some razzle-dazzle in the shape of a taster of the musical, Chicago, which comes to the theatre on Monday, October 24 for a week-long run and Mamma Mia, which comes to the Marlowe on Tuesday, June 28.

Music came from the Philharmonia Orchestra's emerging artists, including Marlowe Young Musician of the Year, Valerie Suen on trumpet and Glyndebourne Opera, with the Northern Ballet performing an extract from Jane Eyre.

Local talent was showcased, including Stacked! the Marlowe's 2016 Community Show, and there was a performance of Christopher Marlowe's The Massacre at Paris.

Panto managed to squeeze in a mention as Phil Gallagher, aka Mister Maker, and Shaun Williamson made their way onto the stage, to huge cheers, and boos from the audience as Ben Roddy shooed them away. Stephen Mulhern, who will star in this Christmas' panto, also wowed the crowd with some magic tricks.

Shakespeare got a mention with a piece from the RSC's show with the Canterbury Players and King Ethelbert School, which featured a female Bottom, Lisa Nightingale, there was poetry from Lemn Sissay and youth was also represented in the form of energetic dance troupe ZooNation Youth Company.

The show also praised those who had had the vision to build the theatre five years ago, and for all those who had supported it since.

To book for the Marlowe's up and coming shows click here.