News: PANTO BABES SET FOR STARDOM ON THEATRE ROYAL STAGE

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PANTO BABES SET FOR STARDOM ON THEATRE ROYAL STAGE

Dick Whittington

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until Sunday 17^th January 2016

Read the North East Theatre Guide Review of Dick Whttington here: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/review-dick-whittington-at-newcastle.html

 

Photo: Keith Pattison

Twenty local girls aged 7 to 11 years will be making their mark and setting the blueprint for future stardom this year when they appear on the Theatre Royal stage in the blockbuster panto Dick Whittington, The Magical Pantomime Adventure.

For the last 27 years the Marron Theatre Arts stage school in Blaydon has been supplying young dancers to star as the Panto Babes in the famous Newcastle Theatre Royal panto alongside national celebrities and West End stars.  The talented group of girls will between them perform in 91 shows over the course of the season, and many will go on to pursue professional careers in performing arts.

The twenty young performers selected for this year’s panto Dick Whittington will be intensively rehearsing at their Blaydon studio and the Theatre Royal every night after school right up until panto opening night on 24 November.  From then on, they will split into two groups of ten, each doing two performances a day on alternate days right up until the panto ends on Sunday 17 Jan ‘16.

Vicki Richardson, who runs the school, said: “Performing in the Theatre Royal panto is one of the highlights of the year for our girls – it’s a lot of hard work but they absolutely love it and always have a great time.”

The first ever performance by the Marron Babes at Newcastle Theatre Royal was in 1988, when they performed alongside three other local dance schools and TV star Les Dennis in Babes in the Wood. 

Vicki added: “That show was so successful that we were chosen as the preferred dance school, and went on to make history as the Theatre Royal’s Marron Panto Babes. 

“At Marron we have a proud tradition of helping budding performers from pre-school classes to the professional stage and the panto is a great springboard for them too.  We have many past pupils now gracing stages throughout the world, and famous alumni include Lauren Hall who is currently starring in Gypsy in the West End, Emma Caffrey who is touring with Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Charlotte Martin who is in Singing in the Rain in Cork and of course Amy Bruce, who is now a regular member of the Panto dance ensemble.”

Photo: Keith Pattison

The current Babes ensemble also features Infant Ballet Champion Freya Burdon-Watson, who at only eight years old recently took gold at the Redcar Ballet Championship.

Read the North East Theatre Guide Review here: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/review-dick-whittington-at-newcastle.html

Tickets:

Photo: Keith Pattison

The Babes can be seen inDick Whittington at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 24 November 2015 until Sunday 17 January 2016. Tickets are available from £12.50 (pay less online) and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (all calls are charged at 7p a minute plus your phone company’s access charge, calls from mobiles may vary, please contact your operator for details).

 

Preview: Dick Whittington at Newcastle Theatre Royal

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PANTO RETURN IS THE CAT’S WHISKERS FOR PETE

Dick Whittington

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 24^th November 2015 – Sunday 17^th January 2016

Newcastle Theatre Royal has today announced that Washington-born Pete Peverley will play the role of ‘Little Bobby the Cat’ in its spectacular 2015/16 pantomime Dick Whittington.

Petermade his panto debut last year in the Theatre Royal’s box office-busting Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and had audiences in stitches playing ‘Little Bobby the Dwarf’ – an ode to his Bobby Thompson comedy routine.  The role followed the huge success of his one-man show about the North East’s favourite comedian at the Theatre in 2013.

Pete will join the purr-fect pantomime team of Danny Adams, Clive Webb and Chris Hayward who have delighted Newcastle audiences for over a decade and broken box office records every year, alongside recently announced award-winning soap star Charlie Hardwick, who will play ‘Spirit of the Tyne’.

Pete is one of the region’s most celebrated entertainers.  Trained at Newcastle College, he is a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and performed for many years as part of the Northern Stage ensemble.  His TV credits are extensive and include Byker Grove, Emmerdale and Spender.

Danny Adams and Clive Webb make their eleventh consecutive pantomime appearance at the Theatre Royal in Dick Whittington. With their much-loved and hilarious slapstick, physical comedy and slosh routines, the award-winning father and son duo have become a veritable North East institution. Danny plays the title role of Dick Whittington, while Clive plays Councillor Fitzfenwick.

Making his ninth appearance in Newcastle alongside Danny and Clive, Chris Hayward also returns, complete with his glittering array of costumes and wigs, all of which he designs himself. Playing the role of Dame Rita Fitzfenwick, Chris will provide all of the glamour and sparkle Newcastle theatregoers have come to expect from the North East’s premiere pantomime.

Legendary panto villain and Whitley Bay-lad Steve Arnott is back again - this time playing the dastardly King Rat.  This will be his seventh season at the Theatre Royal and follows his triumphant turn as the evil Queen Lucretia in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs last year.

Dick Whittington is the only pantomime believed to be based on a true story, and one of the few of truly British origin. There actually was a Richard Whittington, and he did become (Lord) Mayor of London in the late 14^th and early 15^th centuries.  The legend says that Whittington was a poor boy who travelled to London to seek his fame and fortune, but arrived penniless, and without a friend in the world - until he was introduced to a rather amazing cat. Newcastle audiences can expect a distinctly local twist on the traditional tale!

Audiences can also expect breathtaking special effects, once again provided by The Twins FX (the award-winning company behind previous years’ looping reindeer sleigh, flying helicopter and magic carpet), hilarious comedy routines, spectacular sets and sensational music and dance.  Plus, returning again in 2015/16 due to popular demand - incredible 3D special effects!

PetePeverley said: “I’m really excited to be playing Little Bobby the Cat – it’s a great honour and a real treat.  Theatre Royal pantomimes are like no other pantos on the planet – they are truly spectacular, and year on year keep blowing their box office targets as word travels further afield.  I loved playing Little Bobby the Dwarf last year and I have no doubt that this year’s show will be another unforgettable experience.”

Already 74,000 tickets have been sold for the panto, a full month before opening – a new record best for the region’s favourite Christmas show. Audiences are encouraged to book soon to avoid disappointment.

Dick Whittington is produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s largest pantomime producer, which will stage 24 productions throughout the UK this Christmas. With ticket prices to suit all pockets, audiences won’t have to head to London to seek their fortune in order to enjoy spectacular pantomime at Newcastle Theatre Royal this Christmas! 

Tickets:

Dick Whittington appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 24^th November 2015 until Sunday 17^th January 2016.

Tickets are available from £12.50, (save 50p per ticket by booking online). Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (all calls are charged at 7p a minute plus your phone company’s access charge, calls from mobiles may vary, please contact your operator for details) or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Preview: Dick Whittington at York Signal Box Theatre

Berwick Kaler’s 37th panto to be staged in 1000 seat theatre at the National Railway Museum

Dick Whittington (and his Meerkat) 
York Signal Box Theatre (at The National Railway Museum)
Thursday 10 December 2015 – Sunday 24 January 2016

Berwick Kaler Photo: Colin Richardson

Berwick Kaler’s 37^th writing and starring role in Dick Whittington (and his Meerkat) will take place at the 1000 seat purpose built theatre at the National Railway Museum this Christmas. The theatre has been named The Signal Box Theatre. York Theatre Royal have announced the news after recent discoveries at the historic theatre site on St Leonards Place have led to a delay to the major refurbishment of the auditorium and stage.

Looking for information if you've already got panto tickets? Please click here. 

The tight 27 week schedule always had a back-up plan, and archaeologists and builders are working extended hours to complete necessary work. Over the last few weeks the archaeological finds under the stage and in the auditorium have been staggering and bigger than previously predicted.

It was previously thought that the Victorians destroyed the foundations of St Leonard’s Hospital (one of the largest and most important hospitals in medieval England) when building the theatre on the site. Last week these foundations have been uncovered. They are still intact and located underneath the stalls. This is an important find of great significance to the city.

The City of York archaeologist has confirmed further excavation is needed. York Archaeological Trust are therefore continuing the required excavation on this unprecedented find. A longer time-frame has now been set to excavate an area of the stalls floor. Architects, De Matos Ryan, are now working on ideas for incorporating the archaeology into the new design of the theatre.

Ben Reeves, Chief Archaeologist on the site said: "It is amazing that, considering all the alterations to the theatre since 1764, so much of the medieval hospital has survived under the stalls and elsewhere within the building. The remains are an exciting and important discovery for both archaeologists and the public, offering an opportunity to investigate and understand more about one of the City's most fascinating and little understood sites."

The in-house panto production team usually begin work on set design and special effects in April and therefore a decision needed to be made to ensure the show is as spectacular as panto-goers expect. By making the decision now it means the set designers can start planning for the new space and the UK's longest running dame, Berwick Kaler can start writing the script knowing that the environment will be different.

It will be York's one and only opportunity to see the master of Panto take the well-loved formula, and apply it to this brand new space. After 36 years performing on the York Theatre Royal stage Berwick acknowledged it will be a challenge but said he is raring to go:
"Artistic Director Damian Cruden has gone to great lengths to try and get rid of me but his latest effort is quite ingenious. However the laugh is on him because I have found a substitute theatre just a couple of hundred yards away from my beloved Theatre Royal – the one thousand seat NRM’s Signal Box Theatre. So while Cruden is looking for his ancestors below ground, me and ‘me bairns’ will be enjoying Dick Whittington and his Meerkat which promises to be a one-off hilarious and unique experience."

Located at the National Railway Museum, the Signal Box Theatre is a 1000 seat, heated, semi-permanent, purpose built auditorium. This venue, shipped from Toronto, is also hosting the York Theatre Royal, National Railway Museum and Pilot Theatre production In Fog and Falling Snowwith George Costigan in the lead role, and the award-winning The Railway Children.  We are also delighted to announce that joining The Railway Children team, which includes Martin Barrass as Mr Perks, will be Berwick Kaler as the Old Gentleman. Berwick says: The reason I have taken on this classic cameo role is to annoy Damian Cruden who wanted a professional actor to play the part. Even before rehearsals begin I have a shock for Cruden – I’ve already learnt my LINE!"

A similar structure is currently being used at Kings Cross, London where York Theatre Royal’s The Railway Children is currently running.  This show opened in December 2014 and has been very warm over the winter months. The theatre will be insulated using a bespoke fabric that will help to keep the space cool during the summer and warm over the winter months. It has an integrated foyer where audiences will be able to purchase drinks at the bar, sweets, programmes, ice creams, cakes and nibbles. There will be space to wait inside and an enchanted entrance way will be created especially for the show. Paul Kirkman, Chief Executive at the National Railway Museum said: "We can’t wait to welcome scores of dedicated panto fans to our amazing new addition to our site, the Signal Box Theatre, this Christmas. We’re currently working with the theatre to put together a truly magical festive day out for all the family.  With free entry to our museum, audiences will also be able to steep themselves in the spirit of Christmas past through a collection spanning more than 300 years of social history. With all this to enjoy under one roof, plus lots of available car parking, and some die-hard panto aficionados amongst our own staff, it will certainly be the season to be jolly here at the National Railway Museum."

13500 people have already bought tickets to the popular production. All will receive a personally addressed letter explaining the situation and being asked to trust Box Office staff to ensure they are transferred to a seat of the same value and quality in the Signal Box Theatre.

Liz Wilson, Chief Executive of York Theatre Royal said; "Our audience are one of the most loyal I have known and I ask them to bear with us during this period of change. Our official name is ‘York Citizens Theatre Trust’ and we take our role of serving the people of York very seriously. York wouldn’t be York without its annual panto and I’m pleased to confirm Berwick and the panto family are all excited about the new location."

Whilst capacity has increased by moving location, other costs have also risen. Running a temporary theatre space means there are new overheads to consider, and Royal will also need to continue to pay for the extension of work at its regular site. The panto run will also be shortened from 7 to 6 weeks, to cope with the extra capacity per performance, and also to ensure the re-opening of the theatre’s auditorium for early Spring productions. Prior to this the theatre’s café and bar area, which has also undergone a major transformation, will open in the new year.

The original closure period gave building landlords York Conservation Trust a limited opportunity to carry out much needed work to the external fabric of the building. Now the extension to development work gives further opportunity to complete work to additional areas not included in the original plans, such as the dressing rooms. Philip Thake, Chief Executive of the trust, said "Recent discoveries by York Archaeological Trust further confirm the importance of this historic site, and our responsibility to look after the Grade II listed building. Whilst we understand the delay will come as a surprise for theatre-goers we are also pleased that the archaeological work can continue, and that this allows us to make further improvements to the building for York Theatre Royal staff and to ensure its sustainability into the future."

Meanwhile, at the Signal Box Theatre, the infamous Last Night of Panto, in which the crew get their own back on cast, will also be moved to a Sunday evening with increased capacity. Dick Whittington (and his Meerkat) will therefore run from Thursday 10 December 2015 – Sunday 24 January 2016. People who already have tickets are being asked to please be patient and wait for their new tickets before contacting the theatre. Those yet to book should note that the show will not be on sale for several days until all bookers have been transferred.

Tickets:

Online: www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Preview: Dick Whittington at Newcastle Theatre Royal

The Purr-fect Panto Returns in 2015!

Newcastle Theatre Royal has announced next year’s panto, before this year’s has even started! Theatre favourites Danny Adams, Clive Webb, and Chris Hayward will be returning in November 2015 for the magical pantomime adventure Dick Whittington.

Due to the huge demand for tickets at what has fast become the North East’s favourite pantomime venue, Newcastle Theatre Royal will open for bookings for the 2015 panto next week.

Priority booking for Dick Whittington starts on Tuesday 18 November 2014 for Friends of the Theatre Royal, on Thursday 20 November tickets are on sale for Advantage members, groups and schools, before public and online booking opens on Tuesday 25 November.

Dick Whittington sees theatre favourites Danny Adams (Dick Whittington) and Clive Webb (Councillor Fitzfenwick) top the bill alongside Chris Hayward (Dame Rita Fitzfenwick) for yet another spectacular show, filled with side-splitting jokes, glittering costumes, dazzling dance numbers – and of course an adorable panto cat!

Newcastle Theatre Royal panto-goers have come to expect a truly spectacular performance and Dick Whittington will be no exception, with a host of amazing visual and special effects, combined with some of the most colourful and elaborate sets and costumes seen in panto anywhere in the UK. 

Philip Bernays, Chief Executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal, said: “We are rightly proud of our pantomimes, increasingly seen as the best in the country!  We are lucky to have so much North-East talent available to us, not just in our cast, but in the shape of our truly talented panto producer, Michael Harrison. Born and bred in Newcastle and now with a growing profile as one of the West End’s leading producers, we are proud and delighted that Michael remains a close friend of the Theatre Royal, creating outstanding pantomimes for us year after year.”

Dick Whittington is produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s largest pantomime producer, which will stage 24 productions throughout the UK this Christmas. With ticket prices to suit all pockets, you won’t have to head to London to seek your fortune, to enjoy spectacular pantomime at Newcastle Theatre Royal this Christmas!

Tickets:

Dick Whittington appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 24 November 2015 – Sunday 17 January 2016. Tickets are available from £11.00, A booking fee of 95p - £1.95 will apply to most tickets. Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk from Tues 25 Nov, 2014.