A BALLROOM at the Midland Hotel, Bradford, is being transformed into a theatre for a play in memory of actor Sir Henry Irving, who died at the hotel more than 100 years ago.

Regarded as the greatest actor of his generation, Irving was the first actor to be awarded a knighthood and is thought to have been the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Working in the Victorian era, Irving was known as an actor-manager because he supervised sets, lighting, direction, casting, as well as playing leading roles, season after season at London's Lyceum Theatre.

On October 13, 1905, aged 67, Irving was on tour in Bradford when he suffered a stroke on stage at the Theatre Royal in Manningham. He was taken to the foyer of the Midland Hotel, where he died shortly afterwards. It was reported that his sudden death shocked and saddened the nation.

More than a century later, live theatre comes to the hotel for the first time, as the Yorkshire-based Madeupical Theatre Company presents three performances of a play called Losing The Plot in the luxurious surroundings of the Princes Ballroom.

The ballroom will be turned into a theatre on October 9, 10 and 11 and each performance will be dedicated to Irving's memory.

Director Frank Ryan said: "The Madeupical Theatre Company is proud to honour Sir Henry Irving's memory in this unique setting.

"Losing the Plot is a comedy set on an allotment, focusing on a diverse set of characters who have plots in the fictional Wellingfield Allotments. The characters include a megalomaniac, a Russian temptress and a Casanova.

"While Losing the Plot, is a far cry from the Shakespearean and romantic melodrama in which Sir Henry excelled, it is fitting that approaching the 109th anniversary of his death his contribution to modern theatre - and in particular his development of gas lighting for his spectacular productions - is recalled.

"This is a unique opportunity for theatre-lovers in Bradford to honour one of theatre's true greats while enjoying a modern, fresh new comedy."

Gary Peacock, general manager of The Midland Hotel, said: “We are very excited to play a part in hosting this novel and innovative project, and hope that theatre-lovers will support it wholeheartedly."

* Tickets are available on (01274) 735735 or by emailing events@midland-hotel-bradford.com