AUTHOR Philip Pullman has seen his name put up in lights at a revamped youth theatre after donating £100,000 to the project.

The His Dark Materials author was the biggest single donor to the £7.4m campaign to rebuild the Pegasus Theatre, in East Oxford.

Mr Pullman is the theatre’s patron and made the donation with his wife Jude.

The writer returned to the theatre to inspect the finished venue – which includes a ‘friendship tree’, carrying quotes from all the people who contributed to the campaign including Mr Pullman.

He unveiled the building frontage and the friendship tree on Monday, before touring the auditorium and giving a short speech.

His relationship to the theatre – and contribution to its rejuvenation – was commemorated with the renaming of the main drama space as the Pullman Stage.

Pegasus artistic director and chief executive Euton Daley said: “Philip and Jude have been great supporters and ambassadors and I can think of no better way of thanking them than the naming of the most important space in the theatre – the heart of our new venue.

“The donation came at a time when it was much needed, and it triggered confidence in us that we could get the matching funds from donors.

“It felt right to give him the opportunity to name the auditorium.”

He said they initially discussed the possibility of naming the stage after one of the author’s characters.

Mr Pullman, who lives in Cumnor, has been patron of the theatre since 2000. The first ever stage adaptation of his children's book I Was a Rat was produced and performed by members of Oxford Youth Theatre at the venue that year.

His donation enabled the theatre to attract a further £200,000 in funding.

He said: “In the wonderful new Pegasus we have not only a thrilling space for all kinds of theatrical experience, but also a body of people dedicated to helping young people make the best drama they possibly can, and, more than both of those, an idea of hope, delight and truthfulness.

“We are privileged to be able to support this, and we hope many others will join us in the endeavour.

“The atmosphere here builds up a sense of joyful expectation.

“It is an extraordinary building and it was a wonderful occasion to be able to unveil the stage named after me.

“That was a great moment.”

As part of the celebrations Mr Pullman also launched the theatre’s new friends scheme, which offers supporters more ways of being involved in Pegasus and contributing financially.

Building work has finished on the new structure, with fitting out, hiring staff and other preparatory work taking place over the summer in readiness for its grand reopening on September 4.