In pictures: Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre celebrates reopening with A Spectacular Gala Night
TV presenter Angela Rippon headed up a musical affair to rival The Last Night of the Proms as the newly-unveiled Grand Theatre reopened with its Gala Night.
Adrian Jackson, chief executive of the Wolverhampton theatre, conducted the City Concert Orchestra himself on the night to a packed house of people eager to get a look at the transformation.
Flag-waving music fans enjoyed such rousing numbers as Rule Britannia, I Vow to Thee My Country, Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory – otherwise known as Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 written fittingly by Midlander Edward Elgar.
There were also popular songs from musicals and films including Les Miserables, West Side Story, Schindler's List and The Dambusters.
The night was hosted by Rippon and featured performances from acclaimed tenor John Hudson, soprano Elizabeth MacDonald and West End star Julie Paton, widow of glam rocker Alvin Stardust.
Check out our video tour of the newly-refurbished Grand Theatre:
The Grand Theatre was closed over the summer for an extensive £1.1 million transformation bringing a 1920s feel to the bars and foyer. VIP booths have been introduced in the new dress circle bar now called Arthur's of the Grand and a large bar and lavish seating area created downstairs in the Encore Lounge.
Rippon asked the audience if they were sitting comfortably at the gala on Saturday adding: "You should be, you are all sitting in new seats."
The former newsreader led the Union Flag-waving and singing as she got the whole audience on its feet for the Land of Hope and Glory finale.
She joked about the reception saying: "Do you think they heard us in Brussels?"
Adrian, in the programme, said: "
"We all have fond memories of the Grand Theatre and I welcome the opportunity to create new ones together, tonight and hereafter."
