Canterbury's Marlowe Theatre makes its grand debut

Arts enthusiasts in Kent can finally see the results of a £26.5 million development project in Canterbury, which has seen the creation of the new 1,200-capacity Marlowe Theatre.

The venue benefited from a £17 million investment by owner and operator Canterbury City Council, as well as a number of celebrity fundraisers, according to BBC News.

Orlando Bloom, Jools Holland and Joanna Lumley were among the famous faces who helped raise £4.2 million for the building, which was built following the demotion of the old Marlowe Theatre. People living in the area or working in offices in Kent can attend a number of free events during the official opening weekend, which starts on Friday October 7th.

Mark Everitt, theatre director at the venue, predicted that "world class" performances will be staged at the new cultural centre, adding: "We're thrilled that the two new auditoria will be served by fabulous front-of-house facilities for everyone enjoying the best new theatre so far in the 21st century."

The Marlowe Theatre took two years to build and boasts an orchestra pit with space for 80 musicians. However, it is not the only major arts news causing a stir in Kent, reported The Independent.

On the same day the Marlowe was opened, Margate's Turner Contemporary gallery unveiled its latest exhibition of Auguste Rodin's 'The Kiss', which will be on show until September 2012.

The popularity of the sculpture in Britain saw it voted the nation's favourite in 2003 and a source from the gallery said she is "absolutely delighted" to have it in Kent.