A THEATRE company has announced an ambitious new season of productions which includes comedy, drama, a pantomime and a popular West End musical as well as a special show to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Chester and Wrexham based community theatre company Tip Top Productions unveiled details of its new season at a launch and open mic event held recently at The Forum Studio Theatre in Chester where it has been the resident company since 2007.

Formed in 1989 as Tip Top Musicals by Peter Swingler OBE, the company will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a special show to open its new season. Entitled "The Best of Times", the show, directed by Tip Top's artistic director Steve Davies, with staging by Rob Stevens, will run at The Forum Studio Theatre from Thursday, October 24 - Saturday, October 26, at 7.30pm with a matinee performance at 2.30pm on Saturday.

The Show will feature songs from the many West End and Broadway musicals including "Annie", "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Oklahoma", "The Sound of Music" and "Rent", which have been staged over years by the company at venues in Chester and Wrexham including The Studio at Yale College, Wrexham, The Stiwt, Rhos, The Chester Gateway Theatre, The Forum Studio Theatre and Theatr Clwyd. There will also be numerous opportunities for the audience to join in and sing along.

The show features familiar faces from many Tip Top Shows including Natalie Brett, Rebecca Roberts and Mike Jenkinson-Deakin all of whom appeared in Tip Top's smash hit production of "Priscilla, Queen of The Desert - The Musical" at Theatr Clwyd last year.

Speaking about Tip Top's 30th Anniversary and it's founding back in 1989, Peter Swingler OBE, said: "The embryo that developed into Tip Top Productions emerged during one particularly cold February day when I was sitting in my London office. For some time I had been thinking how rewarding it would be if the barriers between the various local amateur companies were torn down. And so, in September 1989 I launched the first show, "Showtime" in which artistes from Wrexham, Chester and beyond appeared on the stage at Grove Park Theatre, Wrexham. Now, 30 years on and some 200 or so productions later, I am delighted that Tip Top continues to go from strength to strength".

Full Details of all upcoming shows can be found at www.chestertheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on 01244 341296.