The Gateway Theatre in Seaton had the best start to 2022 with the premier of 'Save the Cinema'.

With an all-star cast, it tells the true story of the Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen, Wales, that was threatened with closure.

Sadly, this threat is still very real for many venues in a post-COVID world, which is why The Gateway is pulling out all the stops to put on shows, films and music to encourage everyone to get back to enjoying life at their local theatre.

The headliner has to be BAFTA winner Henry Normal who is performing on February 11, bringing his hilarious wit, poetry and storytelling to The Gateway.

You're guaranteed a fun-fuelled evening with this brilliant stand-up comedian, who has his own BBC Radio programme and co-wrote the hilarious 'Royle Family' with Caroline Aherne.

He also executive produced and script-edited many shows, including Oscar nominated 'Philomena', 'Red Dwarf' and 'Gavin and Stacey'. So if it's non-stop laughter you're after, then make sure you go along to this special event on Friday, February 11, doors 7pm and tickets cost £13.50.

Coming up this weekend is 'Quant', the very first official feature documentary about this legendary fashion icon who decided women's fashion should be loud and proud with bright colours and raised hemlines.

Mary Quant was at the vanguard of 1960s and 70s fashion and is credited for the introduction of the mini skirt and female liberation as she shoved the 50s fashion to one side to bring in the swinging sixties.

The screening will be held on Saturday, January 22, doors open at 6.3pm and tickets cost £7.

On Sunday, The Gateway will host a live screening of the Bolshoi Ballet 'Jewel'.

Live from Moscow, there are three sparkling acts; emeralds for the elegance of Paris with music by Gabriel Faure, then rubies for the modernity of New York with music by Igor Stravinsky, and the third act is diamonds for the imperial St Petersburg with music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky.

This beautiful ballet will transport you to the wonders of the Russian theatre and leave you pirouetting out of the theatre. It will be screened on Sunday, January 23, doors open at 2.30pm and tickets cost £15 in advance or £16.50 on the door.

The National Theatre Live performance of Academy and Tony Award winner Tom Stoppard's new Olivier Award winning play 'Leopoldstadt' is the first of The Gateway's 2022 NTL screenings.

Filmed live on stage in London's West End, the Independent described it as a 'masterpiece' and 'magnificent' and not to be missed. It is a story of love, family and endurance as we follow factory owner, Hermann Mertz and his family through war, revolution and Nazi Germany in this epic but intimate play.

The screening will be held on Thursday, January 27, doors open at 6.30pm and tickets cost £13.50 for adults in advance or £15 on the door, and £7 for 15s and under in advance or £8 on the door.

January is rounded off with the nation's funkiest high energy 10-piece band, Joey the Lips. They've performed alongside all the big-name artists including UB40, Boomtown Rats, The Real Thing, Heaven 17 and Toyah.

You'll want to put on your dancing shoes and get up on the dance floor as they take you on a musical journey of soul, funk, blues and Motown. There really is something for everyone.

This event will be taking place on Saturday, January 29, with doors opening at 7.30pm and tickets costing £20 in advance or £25 on the door.

So why not banish the January blues and kickstart 2022 with the region's best entertainment.

Full details and tickets can be found at www.thegatewayseaton.co.uk