Night of my Life - Michael Berry, project director of Blackburn's Red Brick Theatre, recalls meeting a giant of stage and screen

"I HAD been speaking to a theatrical agent who mentioned that Sir John Mills intended to do a couple of one-man shows somewhere in the UK during 1999.

Sir John heard about the Red Brick Theatre Appeal, felt it was a good cause and said he would do his show in Blackburn. He came on the Thursday, we had dinner with him on Thursday night and he stayed at the Millstone Hotel at Mellor, where he met all the corporate sponsors.

Rehearsals didn't take long and at his show, in King George's Hall, Blackburn, in October 1999, he showed excerpts from his films and had the audience in the palm of his hand. He was 92 when he came and I remember asking him how he would like to be introduced and how he would like to come on -- stage right or stage left.

He said: "I think the best thing is if I come from the right on a skateboard and shoot straight across the stage. That would make an impact."

Sir John was sponsoring an expedition by a man called Lloyd Scott in aid of the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust, and his "cut" from the evening was going to the appeal.

He is an absolute gentleman, and a star. He said to his aide: "This is one of the best nights I have ever had."

I was most lucky to have been project director at that time. My proudest moment was when I was thanking him, after which he put his arm through my arm and I led him off the stage.

He had time for everybody and I hope he will be able to accept our invitation in the New Year, when we have confirmed a date, to officially open the Red Brick Theatre."