It will be season of firsts and lasts as the Regent moves onwards and upwards after its fantastic 80th anniversary celebrations.

IPSWICH: It will be season of firsts and lasts as the Regent moves onwards and upwards after its fantastic 80th anniversary celebrations.

If you missed a pull out featuring the theatre and Corn Exchange's spring and summer programmes in Monday's Evening Star or haven't grabbed yourself a copy you better be quick, as shows are selling fast.

“We've been really busy since the new brochure has been released,” said theatre manager David Mansfield.

Making one of its very last appearances in the UK is the awarding-winning phenomenon that is Riverdance after The Regent secured one of the sought after spots for The Farewell Tour.

Meanwhile, the Co-op Juniors Theatre Company return with their most ambitious production yet, the Suffolk premiere of Disney's popular musical Beauty and the Beast.

Fans of the hit BBC series Any Dream Will Do can see finalist Craig Chalmers' in the flesh when Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat hits the stage in April.

The Ipswich Operative and Dramatic Society is set to raise some eyebrows with its production of The Full Monty in April.

When it comes to music, the Regent continues to attract the very best artists, from Jamie Cullum and Peter Andre to Tinchy Stryder and JLS - the latter three having already sold out.

There's comedy, too, in the shape of Jimmy Carr, the always controversial Jim Davidson and Mock the Week stars Dara O'Briain and Frankie Boyle to name a few.

Master of psychological illusion Derren Brown will be making a popular return to the Regent, promising to “challenge, shock and surprise”.

And the first rate Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will return with classical masterpieces including Sibelius' Finlandia and Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2.

The Corn Exchange, meanwhile, will enjoy everything from Smile Ipswich's Got Talent, comedians Julian Clary and Sean Lock to American Superslam Wrestling, Freddie Mercury and Queen tribute act Mercury and the Household Troops Band of the Salvation Army.

n For more information or to book visit www.ipswichregent.com, call the box office on 01473 433100 or visit either venue.