IPSWICH'S Regent theatre is today beating the economic blues after announcing record breaking sales for dance spectacular Riverdance - The Farewell Tour.

IPSWICH'S Regent theatre is today beating the economic blues after announcing record breaking sales for dance spectacular Riverdance - The Farewell Tour.

The show, which runs from April 13 to 18, has sold nearly �400,000 of tickets and is expected to sell out over the run's seven performances.

Theatre manager David Mansfield said there are just 140 tickets left available throughout the run, making Riverdance the biggest ever gross selling show at the venue.

He added: “We have never, ever sold a week-long show and we're very close to selling out the entire run. Riverdance has done so well for a number of reasons.

“It is a global show and features music and dance from around the world. Success breeds success and in this business as soon as people think they cannot get tickets they want them event more.

“It is an overused word but Riverdance is a phenomenal show. It ticks all the boxes, it is colourful and vibrant and it lives up to expectations.”

Mr Mansfield said there is also evidence to show that the continual beat of the show has a physiological effect on the human body which draws the audience in.

He added: “Riverdance has a tribal beat throughout the show and it captivates the audience.

“Riverdance started as a filler on the Eurovision song contest which gave it enormous exposure. It is very well known and it is a fascinating theatrical experience.”

Mr Mansfiled said the next best selling show was Joseph which was performed at the St Helen's street venue last year.

He added: “Overall sales are positive at the Regent. There are a number of shows we would like to have sold more but there are a number of shows we have totally sold out.

“Entertainment tends to do well in a recession and some of the higher ticket price shows have continued to sell well.”

Tickets are available from the box office on 01473 433100.

Have you seen Riverdance? Are you going to 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

Composed by Bill Whelan, Produced by Moya Doherty and Directed by John McColgan, the full-length show opened in February 1995 in the Point Theatre, Dublin.

The Farewell Tour will be the eighth time that Riverdance has performed across the UK.

To date it has been seen by over 2.7 million people in well over 1,000 performances in 18 UK cities.

The worldwide TV audience for Riverdance is in excess of two billion people.