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Cinderella set to christen newly renovated Regent Theatre in 2025

Fresh from a record-breaking run of Jack and the Beanstalk, Ipswich Regent Theatre has announced Cinderella as its 2025 Christmas pantomime, which will be the first major show following the venue's £10+ million transformation.

Why it matters: After attracting over 20,000 theatregoers to its 2024 production, the Regent is aiming even higher with a magical reopening show that combines a beloved fairytale with the unveiling of its extensive renovations.

The big picture: Enchanted Entertainment returns to produce the show running from 12 to 31 December 2025. This marks their third consecutive year at the Regent, following three record-breaking seasons that have established the venue as a cornerstone of Ipswich's festive entertainment.

A photo of the Regent Theatre in Ipswich
Fresh from a record-breaking run of Jack and the Beanstalk, Ipswich Regent Theatre has announced Cinderella as its 2025 Christmas pantomime(Oliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk)

Special performances:

  • British Sign Language interpreted show (28 December)

  • Relaxed performance (29 December)

  • Adult-only showing (30 December)

What they're saying: "We're excited to announce Cinderella as our 2025 pantomime following a record-breaking year for Jack and the Beanstalk," says Councillor Jane Riley, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Customers. "This will be our debut show at the newly redeveloped Ipswich Regent Theatre, and we can't wait for audiences to see the theatre's transformation."

Behind the scenes: The theatre will close in May 2025 for a seven-month renovation, with improvements including better accessibility, extended bars, and restored Art Deco features throughout the Grade II listed building.

The bottom line: The timeless rags-to-riches story of Cinderella promises to be a fitting premiere for the renovated theatre, combining festive tradition with the venue's own transformation story.

You can read it for free thanks to the generous support of Insight Energy and Kingsfleet

Despite a lack of promotion, the big reveal drew a good crowd of passersby

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