THE Earl and Countess of Wessex are to be guests of honour at a Royal Gala performance on Tuesday, March 19, to celebrate the opening of the Judi Dench Theatre at Kent College, Pembury.

The Countess, the former Sophie Rhys-Jones, is an ex-student of the college, and proceeds from the black tie, £50 a ticket event will go to the Earl and Countess of Wessex' Charitable Trust. The Royal couple will see a performance of the musical Camelot, show-casing the school's high standards of music and drama.

Costumes have been hired from the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company for what promises to be the most lavish production ever staged by Kent College.

The new theatre can seat 325 and a special eight-page full colour souvenir programme is being produced for Camelot. A champagne reception will follow the first night Royal Gala performance.

Thereafter the play will be repeated nightly up to Saturday, March 23, when there will also be a matinee show. The box office can be contacted on 01892 822006.