It's curtains up again for fire-hit Regal Theatre
Film-lovers had a lot to celebrate this week as the Regal Theatre re-opened its doors to the public.
Staff at the cinema and theatre in Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, were left devastated in September when an arson attack destroyed much of the building.
But just six months later, the theatre has been refurbished - and to help celebrate, this weekend films are being shown for just 5p, the price of a ticket when the business first opened in 1936.
Manager David Marsh said the blaze had happened at the worst possible time for the Regal, which had seen its best year in 13 years and had been turned around from a position where it was losing money six or seven years before.
He said: "It's a labour of love for me and my staff, and since we've had an opening date it's been all systems go - we're very excited.
"In the first two hours of the 5p tickets going on sale, we sold 1,300 tickets - there's been a fantastic response."
The first acts to grace the newly-built stage were comedians Richard Whymark and Jimmy Cricket, who had been forced to cancel a show following the fire.
And last night, a red carpet gala evening was scheduled with a variety of acts from community groups who use the theatre - with the proceeds from the night going towards the Mayor's Charities and the Fire Fighters Charity.
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Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
