Regent Theatre, Ipswich

Ipswich Regent Theatre (formerly known as the Gaumont Theatre) is a theatre and concert venue located at St Helen's Street in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. The auditorium was refurbished in 2007 and now holds 1,551 people, having lost around 150 seats. It is East Anglia's largest theatre. It has also been known as the Gaumont Theatre.[1] It was designated as a Grade II Listed Building in 2000.[2]

Ipswich Regent Theatre
The theatre from Carr Street
Former namesGaumont Theatre
Address3 St. Helen's Street
Ipswich
United Kingdom
OwnerIpswich Borough Council
TypeTheatre
Capacity1551
Opened1929
Years active90
Website
www.ipswichtheatres.co.uk

History

The Regent Theatre opened in 1929 as a 'cine-variety hall' and was among the first UK theatres to play films with sound. Designed by WE Trent, it was extremely luxurious, with a restaurant, 14 boxes, a resident Wurlitzer organ and organist and an 18-piece orchestra. Unusually, a manager's cottage was incorporated into the theatre design.[3]

During World War II the theatre was used to stage concerts and civic events, as well as ballet and opera. During the 1950s and 1960s it hosted many top acts, including Buddy Holly and the Crickets and The Beatles.[1][4] Gene Pitney, The Hollies, The Small Faces, Roy Orbison, The Walker Brothers and Jimi Hendrix also played there.[5]

In the 1970s and 1980s – when it was known as the Gaumont Theatre – it hosted many punk and new wave acts, including Ian Dury and The Blockheads, Elvis Costello, The Stranglers, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Gary Numan, and the Boomtown Rats.[6][7][8][9][10]

The theatre today

Ipswich Borough Council took the theatre on following controversy over its future, reopening it as Regent Theatre on 21 September 1991. It was given a Grade II listing in 2000. In 2009, the Regent Theatre celebrated its 80th birthday with a gala concert featuring Lesley Garrett and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.[11][12]

References
  1. "Theatre Details: Ipswich Regent Theatre - Ipswich". Theatreandshowflyers.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  2. Historic England (5 October 2000). "Regent Theatre, Ipswich (1385027)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  3. stagedoor Ian+ Add Contact. "87 Ipswich Gaumont 25 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!". Flickr. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  4. "Suffolk - Entertainment - The day the music came to Suffolk". BBC. 26 January 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  5. "Gaumont's place in pop history realised - News - East Anglian Daily Times". Eadt.co.uk. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  6. "Blockhead fans get into the rhythm - Norfolk life - Eastern Daily Press". Edp24.co.uk. 3 December 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  7. "Elvis Costello — Ipswich — Gaumont — 04 January 1979". Songkick. 4 January 1979. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  8. "The Stranglers in Ipswich on 5th Feb 1982". Down in the Sewer. 5 February 1982. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  9. "Siouxsie and the Banshees Concert Setlist at Gaumont Theatre, Ipswich on November 19, 1985". setlist.fm. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  10. "The Boomtown Rats at Gaumont (15 Feb 85) with Zerra 1 and Zerra One | Poster". Songkick. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  11. "Regent Theatre in Ipswich, GB". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  12. "Ipswich Borough Council - Happy Birthday Ipswich Regent!". Ipswich.gov.uk. 5 November 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2013.


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