It was 10 years ago that the old Marlowe Theatre was knocked down to make way for the modern building of today.

Local artist Dave Asthouart was given the chance to go around the theatre taking pictures the day before the historic Canterbury landmark was demolished on March 22, 2009.

He said: “I had a nostalgic idea of the spirits of the actors living on.”

The 67-year-old created “ghost images” of people who had performed at the theatre, superimposed on the images he had captured inside.

Mr Asthouart also documented the gradual demolition of the old Marlowe, which used to be an Odeon Cinema.

It had taken two years and cost £2.35 million to convert the 1930s building in The Friars into a theatre, which then operated successfully for 25 years.

But by the mid-2000s it had become clear the site needed to be redeveloped in order to meet the needs of modern touring companies and audiences.

“It was very sad that this was the end of an era,” the artist said.

“It had been the Odeon beforehand. People had lots of memories of that place.”

The Marlowe was closed for two and half years before hosting a special re-opeing gala performance attended by Prince Edward in October 2011.

Mr Asthouart is now showcasing the images he captured as part of the East Kent Artists’ open houses project.

He will be welcoming people to view his work at 3 Grove Terrace over the next two weekends.

Visitors will also be able to learn about his other artworks.

They include a painting he left in the “bulkhead” outside the Marlowe, which was picked up by a director who worked on Baywatch, who took it home to his house in Los Angeles.

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