The Beccles Public Hall and Theatre stage was filled with festive sparkle as this year’s pantomime, Cinderella, opened to record-breaking bookings.

The show started its run on Saturday, December 17. There were four shows over the weekend, with all of them nearly sold out. 

Donna Hodds, marketing manager for the venue in Smallgate in the town, said she was thrilled the show had been well received.

Ms Hodds said: “It is so wonderful to see so many people booking to see this year’s pantomime at the hall.

"We have so many people comment that the tickets are such good value for money, which we think is one of the main reasons we have sold so many tickets this year.”

Beccles & Bungay Journal: An explosion of colour on stage at the Beccles pantomime An explosion of colour on stage at the Beccles pantomime (Image: Beccles Hall and Public Theatre)

The theatre can seat up to 234 people.

Many of the shows in this year’s run of performances are sold out or close to selling out.

All performances at the hall, which is a charity, help to pay for its running costs and maintenance.

The money from this year’s ticket sales will go some way to meeting the ever-increasing energy bills it is facing.

The hall has been hosting pantos since 2018, following a public survey, which showed that such festive performances had the backing of Beccles residents.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: The romantic tale of Cinderella The romantic tale of Cinderella (Image: Beccles Hall and Public Theatre)

Around the same time, the producer of this year’s panto, Ryan Holt, approached the hall with the idea of putting on Sleeping Beauty.

Since then, Beccles has seen pantos produced by Mr Holt in 2019 and 2021.

There was a break from festive performances in 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Holt, speaking about his love of pantomime and theatre production, said: “Producing a pantomime is always something I had wanted to do, I just needed a venue.

"When I approached the hall about me producing a panto for them it was a risk – but it paid off.

"And since 2018 we haven’t looked back. The pantos in Beccles just keep going from strength to strength.”

Cinderella runs until Monday, January 2. Form more information or tickets, visit www.becclespublichall.co.uk or call the box office on 01502 770060.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Get your tickets now because the blockbuster show is selling outGet your tickets now because the blockbuster show is selling out (Image: Beccles Hall and public Theatre)