THE name of a new intimate theatre planned to open in Ulverston next year has been unveiled.

The newly-formed committee has chosen Overbeck as the name for the new theatre to be created in the former Union Street church in the town.

Committee member Helen Adams said the group had a "really good" response from the public to the appeal for suggestions.

She said it was a difficult choice as each of the 25-plus ideas had relevance to the project.

The theatre was the idea of Chris Benefield and Liz Drew, of Ulverston's Tinners Rabbit Art Gallery and Bookshop.

In September the pair announced they would like to create the cultural venue and offers of help have since flooded in.

The group has secured a long-term lease on the church from its owner, Ulverston surveyor and valuer Howard Whittaker.

Mrs Adams said: "The suggested names included famous people and places and also about what the building used to be, but with the Brewery in Kendal we thought that had already been done.

"We are now busy trying to get funding and there is a lot of consultation work to be done before we apply."

The group has estimated it would cost about £100,000 to transform the church into an 80 to 100-seater theatre.

January 3, 2003 11:30