Full circle for performer named as panto lead

Lucy Roper from Stowmarket said she used to dream of performing at Ipswich Regent Theatre as a girl

A performer said it was a "full circle moment" after she was cast as the lead in a theatre's Christmas panto show.

Ipswich Regent Theatre in St Helen's Street is currently undergoing a £3.5m refurbishment and will reopen later this year with its panto, Cinderella.

It was previously announced that 911 singer Lee Brennan would play Prince Charming and television presenter Francine Lewis would feature as the Fairy Godmother, but casting for Cinderella took place on Sunday.

Lucy Roper, 28, from Stowmarket, was successful against 20 other performers and said it was a dream come true after watching the pantomime there as a child.

Ms Roper was elated the moment she found out she was successful in being cast as Cinderella

"It was very scary," she explained.

"We all went in and we did multiple rounds. They kept cutting people, but they kept me in and then by the end it was two of us, then it was just me.

"It was amazing, I wanted to cry. I remember when I was really young and I would go and watch things at the Regent and the Wolsey, I'd always look at the girls and think one day that would be me.

"So it felt a bit surreal really. It's like a full circle moment."

Ms Roper impressed the show team during her audition on Sunday

Ms Roper will go through weeks of rehearsals before the shows begin on 12 December.

She said while the rehearsal period could be "pretty intense", she said after a few shows she would relax.

The theatre has been shut since the start of May for renovations to its bars and toilets, and other modernisations to the building.

Ms Roper said she hoped the crowd would be "a bit wild and excited" following the opening.

She added that she hoped the show would help act as a "stepping stone" onto other bigger performances.

"With any industry, the more things you have in your portfolio, the better, and once you get your foot in the door, it's a great start," she said.