Stainland Drama Group has already suffered more than one crisis with Aladdin, which opens tonight in the 125-year-old Mechanics Institute in Stainland Road, now the community centre.

The roof was leaking in the main hall but the cast carried on rehearsing until it was patched up by Calderdale Council.

Then, with a week to go, the actor playing the Emperor pulled out, resulting in a cast reshuffle.

The show runs until Saturday, with a maximum of 100 people allowed in because of fears that too much noise will make plaster fall off the walls.

It means a maximum audience of 80 once the cast – which includes Coun Peter Wardhaugh (Lib Dem, Greetland and Stainland) as Widow Twankey – are on stage. But Stainland and District Community Associa-tion are now in talks with the council to secure a long lease, which would allow them to apply for grants to restore the building.

Fund-raising events, including a "toddle waddle", have helped to put a couple of thousand pounds in the kitty but a complete overhaul will be at least £250,000.

Chairman Lesley Fraser said: "We need a tremendous amount of money. It needs a new roof.

"Because it has not been watertight there has been damage to the interior so it cannot be used to its full capacity."

Other fund-raising events include an aromatherapy evening on December 11 (7.30pm) and a lantern festival on December 14, with carol singing followed by a pie and pea supper.