The name's Bard...

The audience at London's newest theatre were left shaken and stirred as three James Bond stars took to the stage for a gala evening.

Dame Judi Dench, who plays 007's boss M in the most recent Bond movies, delighted the sell-out audience at the Rose of Kingston with a humorous take on Hamlet's Gertrude, while fellow Bond actors Samantha Bond and Colin Salmon performed excerpts from other Shakespearean works.

They were among the leading lights of classical stage and the entertainment world helping to raise money for the new theatre in Kingston-upon-Thames.

Playwright Harold Pinter took to the stage to perform Shakespeare for the first time in 50 years, while youth theatre company Chicken Shed put on a couple of numbers from their Peter Pan production. The event was one of two star galas being held as part of the In The Raw season in the "shell" of the theatre, which has also featured director Sir Peter Hall's acclaimed production of As You Like It.

It is hoped the season will help to raise part of the £6 million required to complete the £11million theatre, which is to be opened next year.

Modelled on the original Elizabethan Rose Theatre, the venue has been hailed for its intimacy and the project applauded for its vision. In last night's 800-strong audience were Richmond resident Jerry Hall and the theatre's vice-presidents, Lord and Lady Rix.

Sir Peter Hall said afterwards: "It's the best new building I know and all the actors agree. I don't know quite how much money we've made but we must have done jolly well."

Another gala, hosted by Jimmy Tarbuck, is set for this Sunday.