Epsom Playhouse will celebrate 25 years of entertaining local theatre lovers this weekend with a performance of Leiber and Stoller’s SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE and a cake cutting ceremony to kick start a season of celebrations.

During the last 25 Years, the Playhouse has developed itself as a formidable force in the entertainment world. It is well known by local residents to be one of the most popular multi-entertainment venues in the region due to its vibrant programming, cost effectiveness and commitment to young people which makes up an important part of the venue’s ethos.

SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ is an adrenaline fuelled musical extravaganza, guaranteed to get audiences dancing in the aisles while celebrating the Playhouse’s Silver Jubilee in style.

Playhouse Manager Trevor Mitchell says “I saw this production last year and was determined to re-stage it at the Playhouse as this high octane show embraces everything the theatre stands for - first class entertainment, accessible to all, vibrant, fast moving, energised and youthful.”

Performed by Songtime Theatre Arts with an onstage orchestra conducted by Colin Copestake and direction by Matthew Chandler, the show salutes the music of composers Leiber and Stoller who virtually invented rock’n’roll and whose songs provide the basis for this electrifying hit West End and Broadway Show.

The coming year at Epsom Playhouse includes specially commissioned works, community events and a retrospective of the venues successful show that has contributed to the survival of this popular Surrey venue.

Events include the American hit comedy show Totally Looped, with Marcus Brigstocke (see next week’s Guardian for an interview with the comedian), Learn How To Play The Ukulele in Under An Hour, Carmen The Musical, the stage adaptation of Fawlty Towers, dance sensation Tapeire with Guinness Record breaker James Devine, X Factor Finalist Andy Abraham, the award winning plays Stones in his Pockets and Humble Boy, the illustrious Fascinating Aida, Mark Little in his West End revival Defending the Caveman, award winning jazz artists Chris Barber, Clare Teal, Ray Gelato and top comedians Jason Manford, Mark Watson, Al Pitcher and Andy Parsons.

For children there is TV’s Fifi and The Flowertots, Disney’s The Aristocrats and The Jungle Book, and E. Nesbit’s The Railway Children.

Popular tribute bands are also booked include You Don’t Bring me Flowers, a Tribute to Neil Diamond and Barbara Streisand, plus Magic a Kind of Queen, The Chicago Blues Brothers, Doug Church as Elvis, Dancing Queen salutes Abba while the Motown Show makes a welcome return following a sell-out success last season.

Box Office 01372 742555, or visit the website at epsomplayhouse.co.uk