FOR one night only the bright lights and smashing show tunes of Broadway were transported to a south Cumbrian theatre.

For the second year running cabaret night Puttin' On The Ritz returned to Ulverston's Coronation Hall for a charity fundraiser.

Organised by homegrown performer, 19-year-old Ben Lewis, the show promised and then delivered a night to remember to the packed out venue on Saturday night.

Six months of preparation by Mr Lewis and a dedicated team of support staff brought together some of the most talented singers and dancers in our area to perform.

More than 400 people watched renditions from some of Broadway's most famous shows, including Chicago, Wicked, and West Side Story.

Speaking to The Mail following the show, Mr Lewis praised the work of every member of the team.

He said: "It was fantastic, it was a really good night to see everyone. We had a few different groups together - we had Kreativ Dance School (from Barrow) and a choir we formed.

"As an organiser and director to have all these entertainers come together in front of such a big audience is amazing."

The event was a sell out just as it was last year. The 2016 event raised more than £3,000 for Age UK.

In the wake of the success of Puttin' On The Ritz 2, Mr Lewis is confident even more money will be raised this year for local charity St Mary's Hospice.

He said: "Last year we raised the money for Age UK, this year it will be St Mary's. It's a charity I've had connections with in the past and seeing the wide range of people they reach out to, they do have the community at the heart of everything they do."

The audience paid good money to be entertained, and entertained they definitely were. Three principal performers, Mr Lewis, Georgie Buckland and Connor Wood, took to the stage to sing iconic songs, including the Hot Honey Rag from Chicago, The Jellicle Ball from Cats, and Defying Gravity from Wicked.

Mr Lewis paid special tribute to Miss Buckland, praising her extraordinary vocal talents.

He said: "She showed her massive vocal range with the songs that she did, The Winner Takes It All from Mamma Mia especially. She showed us what variety of vocals she has."

There was no lack of praise for fellow male vocalist Connor Wood. Mr Lewis continued: "Connor, he wowed the audience with The Lady Is A Tramp, and Too Darn Hot (from Kiss Me Kate)."

For the final number a touching tribute was paid to the charity at the heart of the night's events.

Performers arranged tealights in the shape of a forget-me-not, the emblem of St Mary's. This was then slowly raised above the performers as they rounded off the night.

What makes Saturday night's feat all the more impressive was it was organised as Mr Lewis completed his studies at the prestigious Guildford School of Acting.

He said: "It's taken a good few months of preparation. I started planning the show in February, that's when it all started, it's always been bubbling away in the background.

"Having a great team, it made it so much easier for me to do my job."