A SELL-OUT gala performance marked the completion of a transformation of the former Empire Theatre in Bacup.

The Victorian theatre has been renamed the Royal Court, which was its original name when the former iron foundry opened as a theatre in 1896.

It is now set to become a top-class venue for touring professional and amateur productions, offering some 40 shows a year.

All of the money needed to carry out the £40,000 transformation has been raised locally and through the sale of tickets for a one-night-only production of Broadway and Beyond, which was a sell-out.

Anthony Williams, a freelance director who now works out of Bacup, was appointed artistic director and has led the transformation.

The theatre has been redecorated internally and there are also plans for a coffee bar to be developed.

Anthony said: "You could say 'The Empire Strikes Back!' because it has been just surviving to date but now I am sure it has a bright future we are going to make it work."

The gala performance featured Shirley Jameson, best known on the East Lancashire scene as award winning amateur actress Shirley Mason before she turned professional.

Shirley, who is currently appearing in Les Miserables at The Palace, London, came to Bacup to perform for free on the gala night.

"We had professionals from all over from South Manchester to Carlisle and an orchestra all who gave their time for free for Broadway and Beyond," Anthony said. "It was a medley of songs from Broadway shows such as Gypsy, Annie, the King and I and Carousel and it we had a waiting list of 86 names if any tickets became available."

The theatre is owned by Bacup Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, who will stage their first production in the Royal Court on September 27 -- Emlyn Williams' The Corn Is Green.

The Empire was once a highly successful theatre which hosted all the major stars including Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, remembered for the dessert Peach Melba.

This season's productions will include the British amateur premieres of Five Guys Named Mo and Closer Than Ever, by the writers of Miss Saigon.

The theatre now has a box office which is open every week day and can be contacted on 01706 874080. STAR RETURN: Shirley Jameson, who is playing in the West End, with chairman Geoffrey Knight (left) and artistic director Anthony Williams