Ely Play Goes Ahead Despite Box Office Burglary

Ely Amateur Dramatic Society were the main losers after a 'distraction burglary' at an Ely shop robbed the company of some of its ticket revenue for this week's production of Alan Ayckbourn's 'Man Of The Moment'.

Several Ely shops were targeted by the burglars yesterday, with Burrows Bookshop being robbed of cash from its box-office for the Ely ADS show. However, a spokesman for the amateur dramatic company said that the opening night of the production would be going ahead as normal this evening despite the loss of a substantial part of their ticket revenues.

"Obviously this was a big blow and we feel for the staff of Burrows Bookshop, who have always been tremendously supportive of all of our productions," said ADS chairman Darren Smith. "But the show must go on and we ask the people of Ely to get behind us and turn out to support this fantastic play.

"Ironically the show is a comedy about a former bank robber confronting his past," continues Smith. "With tickets available on the door, we hope people will turn out on the night and help us stick two fingers up to the criminals who have stolen from a much-loved Ely society."

The thieves entered the bookshop in the High Street Passage at just after midday on February 15. While a man and a woman distracted the sales assistant, another woman robbed the shop, leaving sales assistant and Ely ADS committee member Chris Evans upset and shaken.

Staff at clothes shop Catherine Jane, in the High Street Passage, and estate agents Tucker Gardener on Market Square also reported the thieves to the police after noticing suspicious behaviour in their stores.

'Man Of The Moment' is being performed by Ely ADS at Needham's Hall, Ely College from February 16-18, 2012 (nightly at 7.30pm). Tickets are £7.

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