Regent Theatre, Ipswich

{{Short description|Theatre and concert venue in Ipswich, England}}

{{Infobox venue

| name = Regent Theatre, Ipswich

| image = Ipswich Regent - geograph.org.uk - 856273.jpg

| image_size = 300px

| image_alt =

| caption = The theatre from Carr Street

| former names = Gaumont Theatre, Odeon

| address = Regent Theatre, 3 St. Helen’s St, Ipswich, IP4 1HE

| country = United Kingdom

| designation =

| latitude =

| longitude =

| architect = William Edward Trent

| owner = Ipswich Borough Council

| capacity = 1551

| type = Theatre

| opened = 4 November 1929

| yearsactive = 94

| rebuilt =

| closed =

| ticket sales =

| demolished =

| othernames = Ipswich Regent Theatre, Ipswich Regent, The Regent

| production =

| website = {{URL|http://www.ipswichtheatres.co.uk}}

}}

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 reduced the capacity by 150 to accommodate larger and more comfortable seating. It is East Anglia's largest theatre. It has also been known as the Gaumont Theatre.{{cite web |url=http://www.theatreandshowflyers.com/theatre-details.asp?custid=637 |title=Theatre Details: Ipswich Regent Theatre – Ipswich |publisher=Theatreandshowflyers.com |accessdate=2013-03-26 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712165522/http://www.theatreandshowflyers.com/theatre-details.asp?custid=637 |archivedate=12 July 2015 }} It was designated as a Grade II listed building in 2000.{{NHLE |num=1385027 |desc=Regent Theatre, Ipswich |date=2000-10-05 |accessdate=2015-07-12 }}

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 William Edward 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.{{cite web|author=stagedoor Ian+ Add Contact |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/6962648072/ |title=87 Ipswich Gaumont 25 | Flickr – Photo Sharing! |publisher=Flickr |accessdate=2013-03-26}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/content/articles/2009/01/26/buddy_holly_review_bk_feature.shtml |title=Suffolk – Entertainment – The day the music came to Suffolk |publisher=BBC |date=2009-01-26 |accessdate=2013-03-26}} The Rolling Stones performed at the Gaumont Theatre in 1964, and with Ike & Tina Turner and The Yardbirds in 1966.{{Cite web |last=Rimmer |first=Judy |date=2021-08-26 |title=When the Rolling Stones took the stage in Suffolk, back in the 1960s |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/lifestyle/21273725.rolling-stones-took-stage-suffolk-back-1960s/ |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=East Anglian Daily Times}} Status Quo, Gene Pitney, The Hollies, The Small Faces, Roy Orbison, The Walker Brothers and Jimi Hendrix also played there.{{cite web|url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/gaumont_s_place_in_pop_history_realised_1_120015 |title=Gaumont's place in pop history realised – News – East Anglian Daily Times |publisher=Eadt.co.uk |accessdate=2013-03-26}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/norfolk-life/blockhead_fans_get_into_the_rhythm_1_117768 |title=Blockhead fans get into the rhythm – Norfolk life – Eastern Daily Press |publisher=Edp24.co.uk |date=2007-12-03 |accessdate=2013-03-26}}{{cite web|url=http://www.songkick.com/concerts/753561-elvis-costello-at-gaumont |title=Elvis Costello – Ipswich – Gaumont – 04 January 1979 |publisher=Songkick |date=1979-01-04 |accessdate=2013-03-26}}{{cite web|url=http://downinthesewer.com/1982/the-stranglers-in-ipswich-on-5th-feb-1982/ |title=The Stranglers in Ipswich on 5th Feb 1982 |publisher=Down in the Sewer |date=1982-02-05 |accessdate=2013-03-26}}{{cite web|url=http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/siouxsie-and-the-banshees/1985/gaumont-theatre-ipswich-england-2bdcc87e.html |title=Siouxsie and the Banshees Concert Setlist at Gaumont Theatre, Ipswich on November 19, 1985 |publisher=setlist.fm |accessdate=2013-03-26}}{{cite web|url=http://www.songkick.com/posters/3453833 |title=The Boomtown Rats at Gaumont (15 Feb 85) with Zerra 1 and Zerra One | Poster |publisher=Songkick |accessdate=2013-03-26}} And as of 2021 Nick Cave and Warren Ellis

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.{{cite web|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/13683 |title=Regent Theatre in Ipswich, GB |publisher=Cinema Treasures |accessdate=2013-03-26}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ipswich.gov.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=244 |title=Ipswich Borough Council – Happy Birthday Ipswich Regent! |publisher=Ipswich.gov.uk |date=2009-11-05 |accessdate=2013-03-26}}

References

External links

{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20220929080808/http://ipswichregent.com/ Official Website]}}
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/7108722127/ Image of interior from Flickr]
[https://www.google.com/maps/@52.05738,1.160322,3a,75.0y,20.48832h,3.9300995t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sAF1QipOVhsNLpwfh83gtzhksWsUA0cdlp_jgg9IAdJGp!2e10 360 Degree Virtual Tour]

{{Coord|52.0573|1.1603|type:landmark_region:GB-SFK|display=title}}

Category:Theatres in Suffolk

Category:Grade II listed buildings in Ipswich