For 63 years the Ipswich Operatic and Dramatic Society has entertained thousands with their colourful shows at local theatres.

Ipswich Star: 1988: Kiss Me Kate at the Ipswich Corn Exchange Picture: JERRY TURNER1988: Kiss Me Kate at the Ipswich Corn Exchange Picture: JERRY TURNER (Image: Archant)

Months of hard work and rehearsals come together when the curtain goes up on the opening night. The first show was Country Girl, performed at the Ipswich Art Gallery in High Street in 1955. After three shows at the gallery they moved to the Hippodrome Theatre in St Nicholas Street in 1957, with their production of Carousel.

For many years shows were at the Gaumont Theatre, now the Regent, where in July this year they are presenting My Fair Lady.

Ipswich Star: 1988: Kiss Me Kate at the Ipswich Corn Exchange Picture: JERRY TURNER1988: Kiss Me Kate at the Ipswich Corn Exchange Picture: JERRY TURNER (Image: Archant)

This week I feature images from this newspaper’s files of some shows from the past.

Can you add names to any of the faces or have memories to share? To submit a letter, in less than 300 words, write to David Kindred, Days Gone By, Ipswich Star/EADT, Portman House, 120 Princes Street, Ipswich, IP1 1RS or e-mail info@kindred-spirit.co.uk

Ipswich Star: 1988: Kiss Me Kate at the Ipswich Corn Exchange Picture: JERRY TURNER1988: Kiss Me Kate at the Ipswich Corn Exchange Picture: JERRY TURNER (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 1965: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: IVAN SMITH1965: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: IVAN SMITH (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 1965: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: IVAN SMITH1965: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: IVAN SMITH (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 1966: Carousel at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: COLIN MACER1966: Carousel at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: COLIN MACER (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 1966: Carousel at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: COLIN MACER1966: Carousel at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: COLIN MACER (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 1968: Guys and Dolls at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: COLIN MACER1968: Guys and Dolls at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: COLIN MACER (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 1968: Guys and Dolls at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: COLIN MACER1968: Guys and Dolls at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: COLIN MACER (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 1975: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: DAVID KINDRED1975: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: DAVID KINDRED (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 1975: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: DAVID KINDRED1975: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: DAVID KINDRED (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 1975: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: DAVID KINDRED1975: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: DAVID KINDRED (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 1972: Song of Norway at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: OWEN HINES1972: Song of Norway at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: OWEN HINES (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 1972: Song of Norway at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: OWEN HINES1972: Song of Norway at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: OWEN HINES (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 1972: Song of Norway at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: OWEN HINES1972: Song of Norway at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: OWEN HINES (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 1999: A colourful scene from the Ipswich Operatic Societys production of 42nd Street at the Ipswich Regent. Picture: RICHARD SNASDELL1999: A colourful scene from the Ipswich Operatic Societys production of 42nd Street at the Ipswich Regent. Picture: RICHARD SNASDELL (Image: Archant)