Theatregoers in Waveney are to be treated to a selection of top West End shows at Lowestoft's Marina Theatre.

Theatregoers in Waveney are to be treated to a selection of top West End shows at Lowestoft's Marina Theatre.

The town's Edwardian venue will host more top West End and international touring shows in the near future.

Management at the venue are remaining tight-lipped about just which tours are scheduled to appear, but service manager for venues at Waveney District Council, Martin Halliday, confirmed that negot-iations with a number of leading theatrical producers were continuing.

"I can confirm that we are currently in negotiation to bring several top productions into the Marina during 2007," he said.

"Our standing within the industry has very much improved over recent years although until contracts are signed we will not be able to make any more details public at this stage."

The boost to entertainment in the Waveney area follows the enormous success of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Marina when 6,000 people saw the production when it was staged for a week in April.

That success enabled the Marina to attract the forthcoming musical Annie, starring television and stage star Ruth Madoc, in time for the October half-term holiday.

It is believed that several more top productions have been lined up and will be staged in Lowestoft during 2007.

The next major production heading to the Marina Theatre is Annie starring Hi Di Hi favourite Ruth Madoc as the evil Miss Hannigan. The show will run October 23 to 28.