Ian appeared as Dame Taffeta Trot in Peter Rowe's rock 'n' roll panto Sleeping Beauty.

Ian showed off great comedic timing as the dame, and played guitar and drums in the show.

From the Theatre's Website

King Candlestick Camelot throws a brilliant party for the christening of his beautiful daughter, Princess Susie, when in bursts the wicked witch, Morgana the Malevolent, to curse the child - "before sunset on her sixteenth birthday her finger she shall prick and die". But fear not, help is on hand from Good Fairy Fanciful and her mischievous apprentice, Frederica, not to mention the King's favourite nurse, Dame Taffeta Trott. Can they save Beauty from her terrible fate? Will she find true love with Simon Steadfast or fall for Prince Mordred's wicked charms?

Packed with classic hit songs played live by our multi-talented cast the New Wolsey's unique rock 'n' roll panto is a fun filled festive treat for all the family. With spectacular sets, outrageous gags and solid gold songs, all the ingredients for the perfect Christmas party are in place.

Book early and don't miss out on the fun!

Ian appeared alongside Shirley Darroch, Oliver J. Hembrough, Steve Simmonds, Ally Holmes, Oliver Wood, Ruth Calkin, John Bannister, Damien Edwards and Hayley-Jane Langwith

It's written and directed by Peter Rowe, with musical direction by Ben Goddard.

Loud, brash, funny and - although the second half is mere padding - enjoyable throughout, the audience is swept along by the multi-talented cast of ten who act all the roles and play all the instruments in the rock band on stage.

Dawn Allsopp’s adaptable storybook castle set incorporates a useful flight of steps on which the band is arranged. The high-energy attack of all the standard rock’n’roll numbers squeezed in to Beauty’s ultimately happy story works very well. So Wake Up, Little Suzie, sung by an amusingly prim and determined Fairy Fanciful (Ruth Calkin) and an energetic would-be fairy Frederica (a nicely manic enthusiastic Scottish Shirley Darroch) is neatly fitted in to the tale.

Yes, Dame Taffeta Trott does have an Ipswich Town banner on her knickers, which endears Ian Conningham to the local audience. He is an excellent Dame with a direct approach to young and old alike. Damien Edwards is an amusingly snooty King, while Hayley-Jayne Langwith is his charming spunky daughter, Beauty. Oliver J Hembrough avoids mawkishness in her suitor, Simon. Ally Holms is a wickedly evil Morgana and Oliver Wood her amusingly lacklustre son, Mordred. Steve Simmonds bounces around energetically as Harold Herald and John Banister completes the cast as Domestos. Ellie, my ten-year-old companion, was most impressed by it all.

Hugh Homan - The Stage

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