A local amateur dramatic society is on a mission to bring back the glamour and glitz of going to the theatre.

For its 2015 season, Sudbury Dramatic Society (SDS) is aiming to turn a trip to the theatre into a special occasion by offering ‘Gala Night’ performances of its plays on Wednesday evenings.

A ‘red carpet’ will be rolled out, canapés will be served during the show interval and theatre-goers will also be able to enjoy a glass of bubbly.

According to Linda Dowdall, publicity officer at SDS, visitors are also being encouraged to “dress up a bit more” for the occasion, with “posh frocks” optional.

The society is currently staging Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee and adapted by James Roose-Evans, with performances from May 12 to 16. The next gala night will take place on Wednesday, May 13.

Mrs Dowdall said: “People always used to dress up to go to the theatre and make a real night of it but that doesn’t happen as often now.

“It was an idea the SDS committee came up with at the beginning of the season to give Wednesday nights a lift and make them a bit special. We also wanted to encourage people to make more of a night of going to the theatre.”

Sharon Buckler, the Quay Theatre’s co-ordinator, said while they welcomed the idea of special gala nights, the concept would not be extended to other performances at the theatre.

She said: “The Quay is very much a community theatre and as such, we want it to be accessible to as many people as possible.

“There’s still a residual feeling about going to the theatre in general that it is middle class and you have to dress up to go there.

“Perhaps if you go to the Royal Opera House, that might still be the case but we have to appeal to everyone.

“Here at the Quay, kids with sticky fingers are just as welcome as people who dress up. We are here for the whole community to enjoy.”

Tickets for the Cider with Rosie are on sale at the Quay Theatre on 01787 374745. Alternatively they can be booked online: www.quaytheatre.org.uk