The relaunch of an historic season of repertory theatre on the Suffolk coast has been hailed a resounding success.
Produced by Matthew Townshend Productions (mtp), Theatre on the Coast took Southwold by storm this summer with audiences enjoying four breath-taking shows.
Matthew Townshend, who started mtp 20 years ago, said: “We are utterly delighted with the phenomenal response to our first season of Theatre on the Coast.
“Southwold has had a great tradition of summer repertory theatre since the early 1930s, so it was important to us to honour that legacy.
“The support we received in our debut season in Southwold was overwhelming and shows there is a real demand for live theatre.”
More than 8,500 theatre-lovers were entertained by performances including The End of the Line by Patrick Marlowe and A Bunch of Amateurs.
Co-star of BBC TV’s Have I Got News For You, Ian Hislop, who wrote A Bunch of Amateurs with cartoonist Nick Newman, also headed to Southwold for a sold-out Q&A session.
Audiences were then enthralled by The Woman Who Cooked Her Husband, by Debbie Isitt – well-known for her hit comedy films Nativity and Confetti.
And closing the season was Harold Brighouse’s immortal Lancashire comedy Hobson’s Choice.
Yet it was not just the performances that piqued the interest of tourists and locals. Theatre on the Coast also brought two days of magic, shipwrecks and fun with Young Theatre on the Coast workshops and a gala night with music from up and coming Suffolk composer and songwriter Ben Goble.
As a result of the resounding success of Theatre on the Coast, mtp is bringing a brand-new Christmas show to Aldeburgh.
The Snow Queen, which will be performed at the Jubilee Hall in Crabbe Street from December 19-31, is a thrilling adaptation from the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale.
Gerda and Kai are the closest friends but when Kai is stolen away by the Snow Queen, Gerda sets out on a dangerous journey to rescue him from her frozen castle and bring him home again.
Matthew added: “It is a Christmas show with something for all the family.
“A specially commissioned musical score and songs, magical creatures and beautiful choreography.
“So don’t delay, book your tickets today!”
Visit Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall for more information about tickets, prices and bookings.