La Locanda celebrates 22nd Anniversary with sold out charity evening

To mark its 22nd anniversary, the award-winning Gisburn restaurant ‘La Locanda’ welcomed musical theatre lovers to a special charity fundraising evening on Tuesday 9th December.

The sold-out event featured a beautifully crafted three-course Italian dinner prepared by Chef Maurizio, while the talented young performers of Stage Door Youth Theatre filled the restaurant with festive cheer through Christmas songs and live musical-theatre performances. Guests were moved to tears by the heartfelt renditions and happily joined in with a number of festive classics.

Founded in 2005, Stage Door Youth Theatre is a much-loved local charity dedicated to nurturing the next generation of performers in East Lancashire. Creative Leader Janet Philbrook said, “We are so incredibly thankful to La Locanda’s owners, Cinzia and Chef Maurizio, who have donated 100% of the evening’s proceeds to our Stage Door Youth Theatre charity. We hope everyone enjoyed it as much as our young people did.”

Over £1300 was raised on the evening through ticket sales and a raffle.

La Locanda have hosted many events over the years to support local charities and give something back to the wider community; a philosophy which sits at the heart of their business and is rooted in their Italian heritage.

What’s next?
The Stage Door Youth Theatre are bringing one of the most enduring shows of all time to Colne’s Muni Theatre in February 2026: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This beloved musical is full of catchy songs in a variety of styles, along with the unforgettable classics “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door.”

Stage Door Youth Theatre is a registered charity dedicated to providing accessible opportunities for young people to train and perform in the performing arts, with a focus on building confidence and self-esteem. Alongside its main productions, the charity organisation offers Saturday-morning performance classes that deliver high-quality training in musical theatre, dance, and drama at affordable prices.