Bradford's Capital of Culture bid was unveiled to the nation last night at a glamorous theatrical event attended by an array of celebrity guests.

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell - who will have a final say on who wins the Capital of Culture 2008 title - was at the Northern Ballet performance of Madame Butterfly at Sadlers Wells Theatre.

The performance was followed by a presentation on Bradford's challenge for the title, hosted by chairman of the Bradford bid executive board, Sir Michael Bichard.

The glittering guest list also included Bradford actors George Layton and Duncan Preston, TV presenter Richard Whiteley, former MP and champion of Yorkshire causes Dame Barbara Castle, former MI5 boss Dame Stella Rimmington, film producer Steve Abbott and a host of regional supporters of Bradford's bid, including Bradford Council leader Margaret Eaton and bid director Paul Brookes.

Representatives from the Arts Council, the Commission for Racial Equality, Sport England, the Foreign Office, West Yorkshire Playhouse and the Greater London Authority also attended.

Mr Brookes said 70 guests - 50 of them from London - had been invited to the event, which was aimed at raising awareness of Bradford's bid in the capital city and on a national level.

"This is really the start of our national campaign which aims to push the bid further afield, so the rest of the UK knows about it," he said.

"Once the bid is handed in, at the end of March, the heat will be on to keep Bradford in the public eye until the shortlist is announced in September."

Speaking from Sadlers Wells - which has links with Bradford's Alhambra Theatre - Mr Brookes said there had been a positive response from the VIP guests

He said: "Everyone is very supportive of Bradford's bid and was keen to be involved with its national unveiling. We chose the Northern Ballet production because the company is Leeds-based, and our bid is being supported by Leeds. Bradford is Yorkshire's only bid and this was a showcase of Yorkshire talent.

"The East meets West storyline of Madame Butterfly was appropriate because it reflects the multicultural aspect of our One Landscape Many Views bid. It will also be the first production at this year's Bradford Festival.

"The performance was excellent, totally spine-tingling. Everyone loved it."

Chief executive of Northern Ballet Theatre (NBT), Mark Skipper, said he was delighted to show his support for Bradford's capital bid.

"The NBT has a long-standing relationship with the Alhambra Theatre," he said.

"It was the first venue in West Yorkshire in which we regularly appeared, before Leeds became our home.

"In terms of dance in general, Bradford has in the Alhambra one of a limited number of venues outside London which has the capacity to stage full scale ballet."