The Market Theatre’s 25th anniversary was formally celebrated at a Gala Evening on Saturday 5 April 2025. The specially invited audience was made up of people who had made major contributions to the construction of the theatre or to LADS in general as well as other dignitaries. Guests of Honour included one of our patrons, Sunny Ormonde, as well as local MP Ellie Chowns.
The evening began with canapés and drinks in the foyer, before guests moved through to the auditorium for a short welcome speech by LADS Chairman Sally Watson. Paul Graham, without whom the Market Theatre might not actually exist, then gave his own personal reflections on the fund-raising, planning and building of the new theatre. This was followed by a spell-binding performance of Dracula the Vampyr by David Mynne (Kneehigh). This was the first show to use the newly installed front curtains which had replaced the original drapes at a cost of £4,824.
At the end of the show, the audience returned to the foyer for more drinks, a toast and an appropriately themed cupcake made by the Chairman herself. To coincide with the 25-year celebrations LADS members and other supporters were again invited to sponsor a diamond tile.
