Skip to main contentEnter
Join 7,200+ people who care about this town
Ipswich.co.uk logoSupport our work
News

First look at New Wolsey's Beauty and the Beast panto

New Wolsey Theatre has released production images for Beauty and the Beast, giving audiences a first glimpse of the Rock'n'Roll pantomime which has been drawing rave reviews and packed houses since opening on 21 November.

Pantomime show
Beauty and the Beast cast bring rock and pop hits to life at New Wolsey Theatre
(Will Green PhotographyNew Wolsey Theatre)

Why it matters: The images showcase what audiences can expect from the Ipswich venue's festive production, which runs until 17 January and features magical adventure, hilarious panto gags and rock and pop hits played live by actor-musicians.

The details: The cast stars several popular veterans of previous New Wolsey Theatre pantos, with Max Gallagher as Dame Mrs Ringer, Signe Larsson as Snarlina, Myles Miller as Jacques Le Plop, Eloise Richardson as Pigeon and Neil Urquhart as the Beast, alongside Leo Elso, Nis Raza Hamilton, Ceri-Ann Townsend and Christian Tyler-Wood.

Award-winning writer Vikki Stone brings the production to the stage, working alongside director Jake Smith and musical director Paul Schofield.

The bigger picture: Livestreamed performances from 20-29 December will help bring the magic of panto to a wider audience than ever before.

The Pay It Forward campaign returns after raising over £4,000 last year. The initiative provides tickets to those who may not otherwise be able to experience the magic of panto, distributed via organisations such as Ipswich Job Centre and Lighthouse Women's Aid. Audience members can donate when booking tickets.

For context: Audio described, captioned, British Sign Language interpreted and relaxed/dementia-friendly performances are available, as well as bookable pre-show Touch Tours. Late night specials run on Friday evenings at 21:00, aimed at audiences of 16 plus. These shows may contain strong language, actors tripping one another up and occasional corpsing.

The bottom line: With the show already proving a festive hit, these production images offer a preview of the spectacle awaiting audiences at one of Ipswich's most popular Christmas traditions.

It cost us ~£14 to cover this story

You can read it for free thanks to the generous support of Start, Build & Grow and Insight Energy

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

We're regenerating Ipswich – but we can't do it without you!

People tell us every day that our work matters – that it's making Ipswich better; that it's needed. But our work costs money, and unlike the Ipswich Star, we're not funded by national advertisers or owned by corporate US overlords. For just £4.75 a month, you can help fund our mission to restore pride of place and accelerate the much-needed regeneration of the town we call home.
Become a member →

In other news...

News

Revolution Ipswich among 62 bars facing closure threat

Revolution Ipswich could close after its parent company moved towards administration, putting more than 3,000 jobs at risk nationwide, though bosses say they are in advanced talks to sell the business.
by
Continue reading →
News

Sizewell B seeks £800m extension to secure around 600 jobs to 2055

EDF Energy announced it is seeking government backing for an £800m investment to extend Sizewell B's operations by 20 years beyond its planned 2035 closure, that would secure around 600 permanent jobs in Suffolk until 2055.
by
Continue reading →
News

Charity football tournament calls on businesses for Suffolk Mind

Commercial cleaning firm Vivo Clean has launched its first-ever charity five-a-side football tournament to help bring Ipswich businesses together for mental health support and raise vital funds for Suffolk Mind.
by
Continue reading →
News

NHS seeks views on future of Suffolk community health services

The NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board has launched a major engagement exercise asking residents how £100 million worth of community health services should be delivered over the next decade.
by
Continue reading →
News

How the Post Office scandal is being told on stage in Ipswich

A new play based on the Post Office scandal, which saw sub-postmasters wrongly accused of theft due to faulty Horizon software, arrives at the New Wolsey Theatre next month, bringing the story to life through the experience of Barkham sub-postmistress Pam Stubbs.
by
Continue reading →
News

Mid Suffolk Business Exhibition returns in March

Stowmarket Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Mid Suffolk Business Exhibition on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, at The Barn, Stonham Barns.
by
Continue reading →
News

Babergh backs Ipswich culture bid as county shows united front

Babergh District Council has become the latest authority to throw its weight behind Ipswich's City of Culture campaign, with councillors unanimously agreeing to give "wholehearted" support to the bid that will benefit the "whole county."
by
Continue reading →
Load more content
Our journalism is free thanks to
Our journalism is free thanks to
Want our best content delivered to your inbox every Friday?

Have you subscribed to our free weekly newsletter?

If you haven’t, you really should. You’ll get our best content delivered to your inbox every Friday afternoon, just in time for the weekend. You can unsubscribe at any time, although 99.7% of people don’t.

  • Lee Walker
  • Joe Bailey of Brighten the Corners
  • Mark Hubert
7,260+ people are already loving it