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Curtain up for theatre after £3.5m refurbishment

News imageShaun Whitmore/BBC The outside of a red-brick theatre with the word Regent written on the side of a canopy above the main entrance Shaun Whitmore/BBC
The Regent Theatre's front of house and canopy have been renovated

A regional theatre which has thrilled audiences for almost a century is unveiling its £3.5m refurbishment.

The Regent Theatre in Ipswich, which opened as the Gaumont in November 1929, has seen the likes of The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Buddy Holly, Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, Little Mix and The Darkness grace its stage.

But the auditorium fell silent in the spring as it spruced up its front-of-house and improved accessibility - with it welcoming audiences back this weekend.

"For a building like this, it's got a life of its own and we need to get that back now with customers coming through the door," said general manager Richie Ross.

The seven-month project has modernised the bars, lounge, foyer and external features, while celebrating the theatre's past.

"The plasterwork on the ceiling is phenomenal and beautiful, along with the Art Deco light-fittings," added Mr Ross.

The theatre is owned by Ipswich Borough Council, with the project funded by a levy on ticket prices.

News imageShaun Whitmore/BBC A view of a long bar, showing beer pumps, optics, and a beer mat in the foreground with Adnams written on it. The floor is a black and white check.Shaun Whitmore/BBC
Crush Hall featurers Art Deco lighting and detailed ceiling work
News imageThe Regent A black and white image taken outside a theatre showing long queues of people outside. The name above the canopy is Gaumont. The Regent
Hundreds queued to see The Bay City Rollers in 1975
News imageThe Regent Theatre A 1963 theatre poster in yellow, featuring band names in red and yellow for The Beatles and Roy Orbison, and yellow and blue for Gerry and the Pacemakers, with black and white images of their faces. The poster reads: On The stage Gaumont - Ipswich Wednesday 22 May at 6.35 and 8.45 one day only. Other acts listed are Erkey Grant, Ian Crawford, David Macbeth, Louise Cordet, Terry Young Six, Tony Marsh. Seats 10/6, 9/6, 8/8, 7/6, 6/6, 5/6The Regent Theatre
The Gaumont was a stop on a famous 1963 tour, when The Beatles usurped the intended headliner Roy Orbison and became the closing act
News imageShaun Whitmore/BBC A view of a bar taken from a seating area, showing tables and chairs and Art Deco style lighting Shaun Whitmore/BBC
The lounge has a new bar and a throwback look to its original fixtures and fittings
News imageShaun Whitmore/BBC A mural fills an entire wall creating a collage of black and white headshots and and head and shoulders images of performers, including The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix and Dolly PartonShaun Whitmore/BBC
Many acts that have appeared at the theatre grace a Walk of Fame mural

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