An Ipswich theatre has welcomed back its celebrity cast for this year's pantomime after completing a £3.5million refurbishment.
The Regent Theatre, in St Helen's Street, closed in May for refurbishment and reopened on Friday, welcoming visitors back after seven months.
Now, the star-studded cast of this year's panto, Cinderella, has come back to the theatre to prepare for opening night later this month.
Buttons, played by panto favourite Mike “Squeaky” McClean, said: “This is my 10th year in panto at the Regent.
"A decade is like wow!
"When you get a good theatre manager like Richie Ross and a good company to work with, it's so enjoyable.
"Saying that, the Ipswich audiences are quite tough, but now I’ve sussed it.
"I know what makes them laugh. I always write a gag for the very beginning of the show.
"On the opening night, I stand in the wings, and I always listen to see that it gets that very first laugh.”
Renovations include more toilets built in the new part of the theatre, on what was the car park, new accessible toilets, a larger bar and a refurbished circle lounge upstairs.
The plans had been in pipeline for several months before the theatre closed its doors in May for the revamp.
Ipswich Borough Council's Neil MacDonald added: “I am thrilled with the look of the newly reopened Ipswich Regent Theatre.
"I particularly love the crush hall décor.
"It’s even better that they managed to do it all exactly on time.
"The panto begins on December 12, and it's going to be a great show for the Christmas season.”
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