The Arden, Faversham’s theatre, kickstarted a yearlong campaign last Friday, January 27th, to fundraise for their new and exciting development – The Mary Caryer Studio, with the Arden Ball at the prestigious Judd’s Folly Hotel on the outskirts of the town.

Guests, from all corners of the country, received complimentary welcome drinks as they entered the rooms dedicated to the theatre’s gathering. Immediately, on the right was an impressive display of drawings of the proposed studio development, better still was the video being played of the extension in the form of a walk-through, taking the viewer from the main entrance through the theatre to the garden and into the new space – patio doors leading to open floors for rehearsals, dressing rooms, toilets and showers

The year of fundraising, starting with this Ball is to make this essential development a reality for the community.

Guy Wade, Master of Ceremonies, called all guests to be seated. The 90-strong throng obeyed. A short welcome speech was given by Richard Andrews, a Committee member, reminding everyone of the need for funds and the new extension and he proposed a toast to Mary Caryer in recognition of her tireless efforts and years of dedication at the Arden.

The meal commenced and no sooner had the first course been cleared we were treated to a highly competitive game of Heads & Tails with the ultimate victor winning a magnum of champagne. After our beautifully served main course, the audience was transfixed by two of the waiters bursting into song. In disguise as Judd’s Folly staff, they paraded and sang popular operas to which most everyone joined in. What a great start to the evening. Standing ovations at all the tables. Truly a “wow” factor.

Throughout the entire evening, all tables enjoyed the close-up magic from Peter Lee, a local celebrity magician. You knew what table he was at by the gasps of delight that echoed across the room as he completed yet another impossible piece of magic.

So much was happening, even before Hullaballoo took to the stage. They followed the highly anticipated silent auction, which, alongside the customary raffle, boosted the final fund-raising figure for the night enormously. With donations from Yoga Classes to Pet Portraits to a Whitstable Beach Hut for a weekend to a Cretan villa for a week, the bidding war was a joy to witness.

Hullaballoo helped everyone dance all the way to midnight – people left having had a wonderful and yes, profitable, evening. All those from the Arden Theatre volunteers, who organised the event, are to be thanked and congratulated by raising, the current figure of, £5,500.