THE 20th anniversary season of Southwold Summer Theatre will open later this year with the Richard Harris comedy Stepping Out.Other highlights during the season of plays held at St Edmund's Hall, Southwold, from July to September include Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward and the thriller Edge of Darkness by Brian Clemens.

THE 20th anniversary season of Southwold Summer Theatre will open later this year with the Richard Harris comedy Stepping Out.

Other highlights during the season of plays held at St Edmund's Hall, Southwold, from July to September include Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward and the thriller Edge of Darkness by Brian Clemens.

Jill Freud and Company will also be performing Neville's Island by Tim Firth and Dry Rot by John Chapman in what promises to be an exciting season.

As in recent years the plays will also be performed at the Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh, bringing professional seaside theatre to both towns.

On April 9 the company will be celebrating 20 years of live theatre in Southwold with the launch of a 44-page booklet containing a host of photographs and memories of actors and staff, past and present.

The booklet, which will be on sale in many outlets in Southwold and Aldeburgh, costs £2 and all proceeds are being put towards the £20,000 target to provide new seating for St Edmund's Hall for this coming season.

The launch party will be held in the Garden Gallery at The Residence at Sutherland House Restaurant in Southwold.

Invited guests include Jane Asher, Gerald Scarfe, Baroness PD James, Gryff Rhys-Jones, Libby Purves and Paul Heiney.

Robin Fournel, owner of the Amber Shop and Museum in Southwold, and Chadds Department Store in Lowestoft are helping to sponsor the launch party.

The summer season also includes popular children's theatre shows held at St Edmunds's Hall.