For 63 years the Ipswich Operatic and Dramatic Society has entertained thousands with their colourful shows at local theatres.

East Anglian Daily Times: 1988: Kiss Me Kate at the Ipswich Corn Exchange Picture: JERRY TURNER1988: Kiss Me Kate at the Ipswich Corn Exchange Picture: JERRY TURNER (Image: Archant)

Months of hard work and rehearsals come together when the curtain goes up on the opening night. The first show was Country Girl, performed at the Ipswich Art Gallery in High Street in 1955. After three shows at the gallery they moved to the Hippodrome Theatre in St Nicholas Street in 1957, with their production of Carousel.

For many years shows were at the Gaumont Theatre, now the Regent, where in July this year they are presenting My Fair Lady.

East Anglian Daily Times: 1988: Kiss Me Kate at the Ipswich Corn Exchange Picture: JERRY TURNER1988: Kiss Me Kate at the Ipswich Corn Exchange Picture: JERRY TURNER (Image: Archant)

This week I feature images from this newspaper’s files of some shows from the past.

Can you add names to any of the faces or have memories to share? To submit a letter, in less than 300 words, write to David Kindred, Days Gone By, Ipswich Star/EADT, Portman House, 120 Princes Street, Ipswich, IP1 1RS or e-mail info@kindred-spirit.co.uk

East Anglian Daily Times: 1988: Kiss Me Kate at the Ipswich Corn Exchange Picture: JERRY TURNER1988: Kiss Me Kate at the Ipswich Corn Exchange Picture: JERRY TURNER (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: 1965: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: IVAN SMITH1965: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: IVAN SMITH (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: 1965: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: IVAN SMITH1965: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: IVAN SMITH (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: 1966: Carousel at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: COLIN MACER1966: Carousel at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: COLIN MACER (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: 1966: Carousel at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: COLIN MACER1966: Carousel at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: COLIN MACER (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: 1968: Guys and Dolls at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: COLIN MACER1968: Guys and Dolls at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: COLIN MACER (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: 1968: Guys and Dolls at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: COLIN MACER1968: Guys and Dolls at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: COLIN MACER (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: 1975: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: DAVID KINDRED1975: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: DAVID KINDRED (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: 1975: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: DAVID KINDRED1975: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: DAVID KINDRED (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: 1975: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: DAVID KINDRED1975: South Pacific at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: DAVID KINDRED (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: 1972: Song of Norway at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: OWEN HINES1972: Song of Norway at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: OWEN HINES (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: 1972: Song of Norway at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: OWEN HINES1972: Song of Norway at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: OWEN HINES (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: 1972: Song of Norway at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: OWEN HINES1972: Song of Norway at the Gaumont, Ipswich Picture: OWEN HINES (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: 1999: A colourful scene from the Ipswich Operatic Societys production of 42nd Street at the Ipswich Regent. Picture: RICHARD SNASDELL1999: A colourful scene from the Ipswich Operatic Societys production of 42nd Street at the Ipswich Regent. Picture: RICHARD SNASDELL (Image: Archant)