With just 18 days to go until rehearsals begin for this years pantomime 'Aladdin' we are pleased to announce we are fully cast!!!
With a cast of 9 members, 12 panto babes, and a 13 strong creative team, we are almost ready to see the months of planing and preparation come alive.
Who's who in Aladdin this year?
Aladdin - Jessica Spalis
Dame - James Nickerson
Empress/Genie - Hannah Summers
Abanazar - David Chittenden
Hanky Panky - Patrick Marlowe
Wishee Washee - Chris Coxon
Jasmine - Roxanne Palmer
Chorus & understudy to Empress/Genie, Aladdin and Jasmine - Leah-Verity White
Chorus & understudy to Abanazar, Hanky Panky and Wishee Washee - Roger Dipper
Our Panto Babes are:
Team PEKING - Martin Cole, Lilly Defrates, Kudzi Garikayi, Liam Halls, Jade Mark, Eloise Probbitts
Team EGYPT - Caroline Austin, Mark Austin, Jessie Beale, Aimee Butcher, Connor Foster, Pippa Haddow
And finally, but by no means least, the Creative Team!
Tim Welton - Director
Colin Blumenau - Writer
Nigel Hook - Designer
John Bishop - Lighting Designer
Lee Crowley - Choreographer
Lawrence Chicon - Sound Designer
Heidi McEvoy Swift - Wardrobe at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
Mhari Gallagher - Producer
Andy Stubbs - Production Manager
Rebecca Spiller - Deputy Stage Manager
Carys Eaton - Assistant Stage Manager
Hello James, this is the seventh year that you’ve been involved in a Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds panto and it’s wonderful to have you back. What is it that draws you to Bury again and again?
The close proximity to the audience, the uniqueness of the building itself and warmth and professionalism of the team behind the scenes all make performing at the Theatre Royal a special experience.
What’s the appeal of doing panto, are you drawn to the tradition, to the silliness, the festive feel...?
All of those really -the silliness definitely! There are very few other theatrical genres where as an actor you're given a 'licence to roam' in terms of going off script, going into the auditorium, speaking directly to the audience and, in effect, gently mocking the play as it goes along.
Pantomime tends to be very traditional, the audience expect certain things to happen, and certain stories to be used. Is it a challenge to incorporate these traditions with the way that you see the character needing to be played?
When it comes to Panto, we love tradition, and to some extent repetition, but there's got to be creativity and progress as well.
Pantomime is always seen as very fun and lighthearted, but with up to three performances a day, it must be quite gruelling at times, how do you keep yourself sane, and healthy, during the run?
Flu jabs and echinacea are vital starting points for any Panto run! There's nothing worse than having to do Pantomime (the watchword for everything that should be fun and vital) whilst feeling like death! Doing 2 or 3 shows a day is really hard on the voice, especially shouting over an enthusiastic audience, so looking after yourself is really important. The reality of Panto for the cast, despite the festive time of year, is early nights and moderation...mostly! The show does go on barring serious injury or illness and unsuspecting understudies have been called into action at VERY short notice to take over from someone who's woken up with absolutely no voice. I think an (un)healthy dose of insanity is required to do Panto in the first place so KEEPING sane isn't necessary!
What’s your favourite panto you’ve done?
Well, on January 13th 2014 I'll hopefully say Aladdin, but looking back I'm really fond of Jack and the Beanstalk which was the first time I played Dame. I was petrified and struggled a bit to find my 'inner Dame' but once I got it I loved it.
And finally, when can we expect to see you around town?
We start rehearsals in early November, but I'm pretty unrecognisable without all the gear on so the short answer is - you probably won't! However, if you notice a tired and rather furtive looking man loitering around the make-up section in Boots then say hello!
On Sunday 8th September we opened the Theatre's doors at 9.30am to welcome 70 (ish!) 8 to 18 year olds, all hoping for a part in this years pantomime.
It was an early start for the creative team but well worth it. The young people gradually filled the seats (and some of of the boxes!), anticipation built and then the time came to start!
In groups the children and young people took to the stage. The first call was for dancing. Lee Crowley, our choreographer for Aladdin, got straight to work teaching some moves, playing the music and letting each one do their own thing. It all looked amazing, there was so much passion and enthusiasm, not to mention the talent, I don't know how the team were going to make their selections.
Next up was singing! Chris Peake, our musical director, worked with all the kids to teach them his selected song, and then group by group they stepped forward to sing round the keyboard. It reminded me of singing round the fireside at Christmas time, minus the fire! After a long morning it was the most important time of the day LUNCH TIME......... I have to say everyone was very patient and well behaved whilst the other groups auditioned, and the room was full of good will and cheer.
With such high standards and talent it wasn't going to be an easy decision!
By mid-afternoon it was time to let most of the kids go home, group by group they were released, and I had the fun of standing on the door having each child signed out. I must say the satisfaction of knowing each child had left safely was worth it. With just 20 kids left they got to work again, in small groups this time with a leader and a script. Now they had to make it their own, with 15 minutes to read through and 15 minutes to practice, all on stage at the same time. After some wonderful performances and group work it was time to go home and WAIT!!!!
Everybody left not knowing if they were successful or not, but soon a letter would arrive on their doorstep......
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