LEGENDARY theatre owner Reno Pepi, who reputedly still haunts a North-East play- house, is among the characters celebrated in a book about the venue.

To commemorate its 100th anniversary, a book detailing the history of Darlington Civic Theatre was launched yesterday by author Chris Lloyd, deputy editor of The Northern Echo.

The book, Of Fish and Actors, traces the theatre's heritage from when it was owned by Italian-born quick-change artist Reno Pepi in 1907 through to the present day as one of the country's most successful provincial theatres.

The book has been published ahead of the theatre's anniversary tomorrow.

The book describes celebrated ballerina Anna Pavlova's performance at the Civic in 1927 and the part the theatre played in the town's cultural heritage.

Mr Lloyd said the book's name came from the days when only one train came into Bank Top station on Sundays, carrying both a week's supply of fish from Grimsby and actors for the performance.

In one anecdote, two slightly worse-for-wear players began fighting, which culminated in them slapping each other around the face with fish.

Mr Lloyd said the theatre was a crucial part of the town's social history.

"The town often takes for granted that it has this really good cultural centre in its midst," he said.

Of Fish and Actors, costing £7, is available from the theatre during performances from Sunday and is available early next week from The Northern Echo's offices in Preistgate, or Waterstones, in the Cornmill Centre.