A RECORD number of people watched the pantomime at the Regal in Tenbury.

The pantomime Dick Whittington was a great success according to theatre manager Adey Ramsel.

Thoughts are already turning to the 2017 Christmas and end-of-the-year show and tickets are already on sale almost a year in advance.

The success of the pantomime came as a welcome relief to the Regal that was hit at the end of last year by the shock of losing its long serving former manager Ian Little.

He stepped down because to differences with the Trustees about the future direction of the venue that had a £600,000 renovation just five years ago thanks to Heritage Lottery Funding.

The Regal that was built in the 1930s is one of a declining number of cinemas that still remain from the years between the First and Second World Wars.

But it is not the past but the future that Adey Ramsel has in mind and with almost 12 months before panto time comes around again the venue has revealed some of the attractions that it hopes will make 2017 a bumper one for the Regal.

But the venue is not resting upon its success but has revealed a busy programme of events for the coming year.

Included in the forthcoming programme is a series of live music events and theatre shows that will visit Tenbury as part of national tours.

First up in February is Rock Anthems, a celebration of some of the greatest rock songs of all time, which is quickly followed by Walk Like A Man , the smash hit celebration of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Featuring the hit songs from the multi-award winning show The Jersey Boys, this show is already proving popular with theatre goers.

In March there’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Back the Years, brings the hits of yesteryear invoking memories of a bygone age. This show is fronted by legendary DJ and broadcaster ‘Diddy’ David Hamilton.

Later in the year the local venue plays host to Oh Carol, featuring the songbook of Neil Sedaka, Blowin’ in The Wind featuring the songs of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and John Lennon and back by popular demand are Abba Mania and The Counterfeit Seventies.

Highlights of live theatre that is touring the country and stopping off in Tenbury include The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, a magical live children’s show for three to seven-year-olds during February half-term and which The Guardian reviewed as ‘Excellent Fun'.

Then there is the award winning Black-eyed Theatre who bring their live version of ‘Frankenstein’. This UK tour visits The Regal on March.

Adey Ramsel joined The Regal as the latest venture is a career in theatre and entertainment that has included performing, directing and management roles. He worked for a number of years in New Zealand.

The Regal is owned by Tenbury Town Council but its day-to-day operation is undertaken by a Trust on a long term lease.