Reece flies home for Seagull performance

A RISING Lowestoft star, who has worked with the likes of Susan Sarandon, Sir Ben Kingsley and Colin Farrell, will be appearing on his home stage at the Seagull Theatre, in Pakefield, next week.

A RISING Lowestoft star, who has worked with the likes of Susan Sarandon, Sir Ben Kingsley and Colin Farrell, will be appearing on his home stage at the Seagull Theatre, in Pakefield, next week.

Reece Ritchie, a former Benjamin Britten High School pupil, is playing an IRA terrorist in the latest production from the newly formed Seagull Rep in their explosive thriller Rat in the Skull.

Fresh from filming summer blockbuster The Prince of Persia, Reece has also starred in Roland Emmerich's 10,000 BC, The Bill and Silent Witness and is signed to the prestigious United Talent Agency in Los Angeles.

Reece said: 'More people need to realise that theatre is not only a place for young actors to practise, it is instrumental in helping young people develop social skills, self-confidence and acquire knowledge on a variety of subjects.

'I've taken friends to see plays before who have never experienced live theatre. It's an amazing and moving experience that reaches you in a way you don't get with film or television. It's acting on the edge; there are no second takes in theatre.'

In Rat in the Skull Reece plays Demon 'Bomber' Roche, a freedom fighter who has been caught in the nick of time during the London bombings in the 1980s.

He said: 'It's a great night out, there's a live Irish band. You'll not only be having a good night out, you'll be helping to keep the Seagull, this fantastic place I owe so much to, alive.'

John Hales, theatre director, said he was delighted that Reece was back at the venue.

'Reece's career as a professional actor is going through the roof at the moment. We're really lucky to have him, for someone on his way to being a household name, you'd never know it in the rehearsal room.'

Rat in the Skull opens at the Seagull on Thursday and runs through until Saturday, May 30.

The highly successful Smoking Mics Impro team return to the Seagull tonight for a third time, and now touring across the region, the team are starting to look to add new members.

The diverse range of music nights continues tomorrow with retro quarter The Slippers, who will be appearing for the first time at the Morton Road venue.

Tickets for all shows are available from the Seagull box office on 01502 589726.