SUPPORTERS of a Colne theatre which has taken on many different roles itself are putting the finishing touches to their centenary gala dinner this weekend.

Starting life as a cine-variety venue, mixing silent films with stage acts, Pendle Hippodrome has adapted to changing tastes over the past 100 years.

Once the silent movies were overtaken by the ‘talkies’, the New Market Street landmark was well positioned to take advantage, before it was converted into a bingo hall in 1964.

But by 1978 the Hippodrome’s owners, EMI, had signalled the end, before three operatic societies teamed up to rescue the theatre, working hard to reopen the Hippodrome in 1986.

Now its history will be celebrated when the Hippodrome transforms again into a cabaret attraction, for one night only, on Saturday.

Milly Greenwood, of the Friends of the Hippodrome group, said: “This will be a night to remember as we look forward to the next 100 years, and everybody is welcome.

“There won’t be another event like this at the theatre in our lifetime.”

Guests will get a three-course buffet-style dinner before dancing courtesy of dance band 12 Bars from Mars.

Theatre officials have also been staging cinema nights, the next of which features ‘The Smallest Show on Earth’, starring Bill Travers, on Saturday, September 28. An open day is also planned for the following day, from 11am to 4pm.

Tickets for the gala night priced at £10 for adults and £5 for under-16s are available from Discover Pendle, at Boundary Mill.

Alternatively, people can ring the booking secretary on 01282 699779, evenings and weekends, or pop into the box office, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm.