THERE was much ado at a leisure centre when a sports hall was turned into a theatre.

The transformation took place at the Rainbow Leisure Centre, Coulby Newham, near Middlesbrough, and included installing a 400-seater auditorium complete with lighting.

More than 50 tonnes of equipment was unloaded from trucks and set up at the centre for a week-long run of The Merchant of Venice.

The Royal Shakespeare Company is performing Loveday Ingram's acclaimed production of the work until Saturday.