THE old Wymondham Regal, part of the Ex-Services Club was packed to capacity with 200 picture-goers when legendary actress Sylvia Syms appeared there on Sunday for a screening of her 1960 film, Conspiracy of Hearts.

THE old Wymondham Regal, part of the Ex-Services Club was packed to capacity with 200 picture-goers when legendary actress Sylvia Syms appeared there on Sunday for a screening of her 1960 film, Conspiracy of Hearts.

A number of people without pre-booked tickets had to be disappointed. The show was the first in this year's classic movie series, staged by the Regal Experience Group, who are now assisted by Hollywood Cinemas.

When she visited the projection box prior to the screening, Sylvia banged on one of the 1937 Kalee projectors, commenting: “These machines were really made to last!”

Regal Experience chairman and projectionist, Michael Armstrong, remarked that over the years he had shown many of her films, but meeting her was something he thought he would never actually do. “It was a marvellous experience,” he said.

Interviewed on stage by Philip Yaxley for nearly 40 minutes, Sylvia entertained the audience with a string of amusing anecdotes about her illustrious movie career - from that erotic kiss with John Mills in the Libyan desert in Ice Cold in Alex (1958) to the portrayal of

the Queen Mother in the

2006 blockbuster, The

Queen.

Sylvia commented that what the Regal Experience Group had achieved over the last

few years in keeping

classic cinema alive in Wymondham - and the stars they had met - was truly amazing.

Group secretary Maureen Dodman presented the star with a bouquet of flowers.