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It is a business that has been at the heart of the community since 1969 – recognised as one of the area’s largest independent flooring and furniture specialists.

And now, Roger Harrod’s Karpet & Furniture Kingdom have been announced as the main sponsor for this year’s sparkling family pantomime – Aladdin – at the Marina Theatre.

Aladdin runs for 32 amazing performances full of eastern promise!

Fasten your seat belts for a magical carpet ride to Old Peking where soap-sud silliness has got Widow Twankey and her sons Aladdin and Wishee-Washee in a lather! Can the Slave of the Ring and the Genie of the Lamp help our hero win the day?

Karpet Kingdom was established by Roger and Joan Harrod in the garage of their family home and today they are still a family business – with the couple’s two sons now running the company.

Karpet Kingdom, on Whapload Road in Lowestoft, offers a wide selection of carpets, artificial grass, contract flooring, sofas, beds, living, dining and bedroom furniture.

Jon Harrod, of Karpet Kingdom, said: “We are immensely proud to be sponsoring this year’s pantomime at the Marina Theatre – which promises to be the biggest and best run of performances yet.

“We are all delighted at Karpet Kingdom to support the production and look forward to the fun and games this Christmas.”

The Right Honourable Ann Widdecombe will star as the regal and authoritative Empress of China in the spectacular family pantomime – fresh from her straight-talking and quick-witted appearances on Have I Got News For You and her unforgettable and star-turning performances on Strictly Come Dancing.

Ann will be accompanied on stage by popstar Mark Read, known to millions as a member of hit boyband A1, who is set to play the title character Aladdin.

Alongside funny man Terry Gleed, who will be returning by popular demand to play Wishee Washee, will be Aaron Spendelow as the Genie of the Lamp.

Also returning by popular demand will be Fenton Gray who will take on the role of Widow Twankey. Mia Richards will be playing Princess Jasmine, Deearna McLean as Slave of the Ring and Darren Clewlow-Smith as Abanazar.

The shows will once again be directed by Richard Cheshire and choreographed by Helen Jeckells and promises to take audiences on an eastern adventure full of spectacle, sparkle and shine.

Lee Henderson, Chief Executive at the Marina Theatre, added: “We are extremely grateful to Roger Harrod’s Karpet & Furniture Kingdom for their sponsorship of this year’s family pantomime.

“The Marina is a registered charity and support from local businesses is invaluable to ensure the theatre remains a vital theatre and entertainment resource for Lowestoft and its future generations.”

To book tickets, where the early bird price is just £15 on all tickets until September 2, call the box office on 01502 533200 or click HERE.

Karpet Kingdom is based on Whapload Road in Lowestoft. For more details, visit their website HERE.

She is one of our most outspoken and celebrated politicians.

From her straight-talking and quick-witted appearances on Have I Got News For You to her unforgettable and star-turning performances on Strictly Come Dancing, Ann Widdecombe has been heralded as a ‘national living treasure’ by the Guardian.

And now, Ann will recall her life, and highlights the people and events that most influenced her along the way, during An Evening with Ann Widdecombe – on Monday, December 4 at 7.30pm.

The event will happen prior to her playing the role of Empress of China in this year’s family pantomime  – Aladdin.

A rare anti-hunting Tory, who campaigned for prison education and once put on a miner’s overalls to go down a coal mine, Ann has never been afraid of controversy.

With her renowned integrity and characteristic vigour, Ann will offer a unique insight into her time as a Minister in three departments and the Shadow Cabinet in the 1990s.

She had a formidable reputation in parliament and remains relentlessly outspoken.

Live on stage, Ann is engaging, entertaining and refreshingly down to earth.

Tickets are available now at the box office and online – priced at £22, concessions £21 and Privilege Card Holders £20.

And if you book for this performance, you can also buy a ticket to see Ann Widdecombe in our pantomime – for just £15 – call the box office on 01502 533200! T’s and C’s apply.

The highly acclaimed Russian State Opera returns to the Marina Theatre with the world’s best loved opera.

Tosca, one of the most emotionally engaging and popular operas of all time, will be performed live on stage at 7.30pm on Tuesday, September 19.

Featuring an impressive cast and accompanied by a large live orchestra with over 30 musicians – the music by Giacomo Puccini – will be sung in Italian with English Surtitles.

Puccini’s Tosca is a melodrama where love and politics collide, and murder takes place at the highest level.

Tosca opera is a historical fiction about 18th Century period. The core of the intriguing theme is romance over politics which is relevant even in today’s world.

Originally set in Rome in 1800s, it tells the story of two idealistic lovers, Tosca and Cavaradossi. Their trust is set to be tested by Scarpia, the ruthless police officer who has no boundaries. Scarpia has sentenced Cavaradossi to death. The officer is prepared to let Cavaradossi go if Tosca is willing to spend the night with Scarpia…

If you’ve never tried opera before, you will love this full orchestra experience with brand new settings and fantastic costumes, exquisite singing and those wonderful tunes that the audience will still be humming to themselves on their way home, making this a must see opera production for everyone.

Producer Alexej Ignatow, of Amande Concerts Ltd, who has co-ordinated the UK tour, said: “We are constantly on the lookout for new challenges, to ensure that our opera and ballet audiences get a chance to experience a wide spectrum of various classic pieces.

“No experience is needed to enjoy these classics. Our sets and costume designs, as well as the informative programmes make the productions very accessible and most of all, enjoyable. For opera, English surtitles make it easy to follow the story as you listen to the performance sung in its original language.”

Tickets for performances range from £22-£28 and can be bought by calling the box office on 01502 533200 or by clicking HERE.

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