Cinderella draws the crowds
BOSSES at Ipswich's Regent theatre have today announced the production of Cinderella made more than £80,000 in profit. According to figures released by Ipswich Borough Council, the third professional pantomime at the 1,650 seat venue took nearly £480,000 in box office sales with more than 36,500 attending 42 performances.
BOSSES at Ipswich's Regent theatre have today announced the production of Cinderella made more than £80,000 in profit.
According to figures released by Ipswich Borough Council, the third professional pantomime at the 1,650 seat venue took nearly £480,000 in box office sales with more than 36,500 attending 42 performances.
The production, which included Strictly Come Dancing Star Letitia Dean as the fairy godmother and an appearance by Postman Pat, attracted more customers than at previous shows Peter Pan and Snow White, though Peter Pan in 2005-2006 made a larger profit.
Ipswich Borough councillor Judy Terry, who has responsibility for culture and leisure, said: “The show has been a tremendous success and we are all delighted.
“I know Letitia Dean's success in Strictly Come Dancing helped to raise the profile of both pantomime and theatre but I think all the cast were stars and I congratulate them on a job well done.
“Ipswich is well and truly on the national pantomime circuit and we look forward to next year's show.”
Most Read
- 1 Weather warning for Suffolk as thunderstorms expected to affect travel
- 2 Suffolk campsite named among the best in the UK by the Guardian
- 3 Company fined £12,000 for repeatedly failing to clear Ipswich flat's waste
- 4 A12 reopens after air ambulance called to three-lorry crash
- 5 Men convicted of kidnap and rape of Ipswich girl
- 6 Food review: ‘The Botanist in Ipswich lives up to the hype’
- 7 Developer criticised for 'failing to meet obligations'
- 8 'Blood rain' could fall this week as thunderstorms move in
- 9 Forbidden Suffolk: 6 places you can't visit in the county
- 10 Cyclist injured after colliding with car in busy Ipswich road
The profit is expected to be used to invest in the theatre and reduce the theatre's £400,000 annual subsidy from the council.
Cinderella was staged by the theatre in partnership with Duo entertainment and an announcement on next year's pantomime and cast is expected soon.
Hazel Clover, Regent manager, said: “Everyone involved in the production of Cinderella have been great. The show evolved during its run so it remained fresh and audiences were very enthusiastic.”
The 78-year-old theatre, which underwent a £500,000 refurbishment last year, is currently dark with a number of workmen carrying out annual maintenance work.
Did you see Cinderella? Did you like the show? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
Pantomime Net Surplus Performances Att Gross Box Office
Peter Pan £88,597.32 48 36,505 £467,908.03
Snow White £65,772 42 30,310 £432,680.23
Cinderella £81,461 42 36,590 £478,178
Merchandisers sold more than 3,000 spinning batons.
The theatre sold more than 5,000 tubs of vanilla ice cream.
Chocolate tubs were the second most popular with 777 tubs sold,
756 strawberry ice cream tubs were also sold.
