A GRAND fundraising gala is to be held at Pegasus Theatre, Oxford, to boost a campaign to revamp the venue.

Something Old, Something New, will take place at the theatre in Magdalen Road, East Oxford on Friday and Saturday, April 25-26, and will feature at least 13 different organisations and groups.

The theatre is planning a £6.3m refurbishment and needs to raise an additional £1.7m to make the plans a reality.

Artistic director Euton Daley said: "We usually do an annual jamboree project where we bring lots of groups together, but this is the first time we have done it with different artists and professionals.

"This isn't going to generate a large enough income to make a dent in the £1.m we need, but it will be letting people see the work we have generated over the years."

The theatre started preparing for the show a year ago, and it is set to see a number of musicians, actors, comedians and other artists returning to the theatre where they first discovered their love for the arts.

Among them will be compere John Nicholson, of Peepolykus theatre company, a former member of Pegasus-based Oxford Youth Theatre.

He said: "Pegasus is just brilliant at inspiring young people because of the workshops it runs and the interest there is from practitioners who take part.

"People will flock to shows in playhouses in large towns and cities because they recognise the name of the play, or someone in it, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is going to be a good production.

"If more people were to support their small local theatre, like Pegasus, they would probably find themselves seeing much more interesting shows."

Menelva Harry, of Gelede Dance Company which will be performing on both nights and is Pegasus's resident dance company, said: "This show is great and it is a fantastic opportunity.

"It is nice to be invited back knowing that the theatre will close and reopen and hoping that we are invited to the reopening.

"I started my dance career at Pegasus and was nurtured by them when I came back and set up by my dance company and it will be great if they can carry on with that work for other young people."

Tickets for both nights, with performances starting at 7pm, cost £25 and are available by calling 01865 722851.