Archived News - Pantomime
Aladdin - January 2017
It's that time of the year again (Oh, yes it is)! and once again the Curtain Call Theatre Group will be showcasing their big family pantomime at the village hall, Eaton Bray.
The Jan 2017 panto is 'Aladdin...!' With a great script, dazzaling costumes, impressive set, plenty of laughs... and a wonderful cast of local faces, this is set to be an amazing show to suit all ages!
This years script has been written by village local and funny man Gavyn Lugsden, who also Directs the show and appears as Widow Twanky! Gavyn said 'with a much richer budget than previous years, this is going to be an unmissable performance. Not only does the pantomime include all the ingredients you'd expect, there are also some added extras, including an amazing flying carpet scene, an hilarious laundry slap-stick routine and some new visual effects'.
The cast also comprises of the children of the Curtain Call Youth Theatre Group, who will be adding their talents to this 'must see' performance.
The pressure is on this year, as our last shows have gained us awards from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA), who once again will be in attendance to see if we can make it three in a row!
The plot for Aladdin is well known and the traditional story has been adapted for the village hall. Join Aladdin and his brother 'Wishee-Washee' and his Mother 'Widow Twanky' in their quest of good versus evil in the heart of Peaking. Will the evil Abanazar take control, will the Princess Jasmine end up marrying Aladdin, will the Genie of the Lamp save the day, will the Peaking police force actually do something right...? Well, for the answers to these questions you will need to book your seats and find out for yourselves!
Aladdin will be played by Tiff Campbell (Ex Haven Mate and proffesional singer), The princess is Kaytie Allan (recently graduated from stage school), Gavyn Lugsden (ex Butlin's Redcoat & Drama teacher) will be playing Widow Twanky, Abanazar will be played by local (and Cedars teacher) Malcolm Callaway, Wishee Washee is played by, A grade drama student Shauna Lugsden & the Genie has been interperated by the hilarious Reuben Womersley de Zaldua.
The show is set to run from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th of January 2017 over 5 performances.
Tickets can be purchased on-line by visiting the group's website and clicking on the 'buy tickets' tab (curtaincalltheatregroup.co.uk) or by calling 07510 164888.
There will be a licenced bar and refreshments available, plus a raffle which is supported by local businesses.
This years show has been sponsored by Plumm Property, whose boards can be seen throughout the village promoting the event!
For your chance to win a family ticket to the show, just answer the following question:
What is the name of Aladdin's brother?
Text your answer to the mobile number (above) starting with the word 'Focus' followed by your answer. Competition closes at midnight on Saturday 14th January 2017. The winner will be contacted the following day.
Aladdin - A Traditional Fun-Filled Family Pantomime
Aladdin
A traditional fun-filled family pantomime
by Gavin Lugsden
At Eaton Bray Village Hall
January 2017
Friday 27th - 7.30pm
Saturday 28th - 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Sunday 29th - 2.30pm & 6.30pm
Tickets £8 Adults & £6 Concessions
Family (2+2) £25
Licensed Bar, Raffle & Refreshments
Ample Free Parking
Ticket hotline: 07510 164888
eTickets via the website
www.curtaincalltheatregroup.co.uk
Proudly sponsored by Plumm Property
Dick Whittington, Eaton Bray Village Hall
Curtain Call Theatre Group and Edlesbray Players will be presenting Jack and the Beanstalk at the end of the month in Eaton Bray Village Hall.
For booking details, please see the flyer below or the Curtain Call Theatre Group website.
Curtain Call Theatre Group and Edlesbray Players present...
Dick Whittington, The family pantomime adventure.
Written by Gavyn Lugsden.
Eaton Bray Village Hall.
Friday 29th January 2016 7pm
Saturday 30th January 2016 2pm & 7pm
Sunday 31st January 2016 2pm & 6pm.
Tickets: £7 Adults, £5 Children and Concessions.
Jack and The Beanstalk, Eaton Bray Village Hall
Curtain Call Theatre Group will be presenting Jack and the Beanstalk at the end of the month in Eaton Bray Village Hall.
For booking details, please see their website curtaincalltheatregroup.co.uk.
Curtain Call Theatre Group presents...
Jack and the Beanstalk.
Written by Gavyn Lugsden.
Eaton Bray Village Hall.
Friday 30th January 2015 7.30pm
Saturday 31st January 2015 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Sunday 1st February 2015 2.30pm.
Tickets: £7 Adults, £5 Children and Concessions.
Pantomime
Our thanks go once again to Pete & Ronnie Farrar for staging their seventh annual village panto.
Over the years, they have worked tirelessly for our community and deserve our utmost thanks for delivering a community project that almost every other village would envy.
Sadly, however, they have expressed the wish to hand over to someone new although they are more than happy to continue to help behind the scenes.
As a result, The Players Committee is presently trying to find a successor for 2015 and beyond.
Oh no it isn't! Oh yes it is!
... it's that time of year when the Edlesbray Players think about the January pantomime.
The Pantomime Guild of Baddies think they have come up with the ultimate plan to ensure they dominate the world. They pitch representatives of each Panto against one another in a series of bizarre and entertaining games. It looks like only one Panto will survive! Will our heroes work out that by joining together, the Guild of Baddies can be defeated?
If you'd like to join in The Panto Games, auditions will take place locally on the evening of Monday, 16th September.
And if you don't want to act, you can still play your part and join in the fun. Help is always needed behind the scenes – design, carpentry, painting, sewing, admin, etc – as much or as little as you can commit.
Please contact Bekka via the Edlesbray Players website for more information.
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Missing Panto
present
Sherlock Holmes and the
Case of the Missing Panto
at
Eaton Bray Village Hall, LU6 2DJ
on
Thursday 24th , Friday 25th and
Saturday 26th January 2013 at 7.30 p.m.
and on
Saturday 26th January 2013 at 2.00 p.m.
Tickets prices: £6 for adults, £4 for children
There will be a bar available in the evenings, and refreshments at the matinee.
The Box Office is at 96A High Street, Eaton Bray, LU6 2DP and
opens on 10th December 2012.
Phone 01525 220201 (6-9pm) or text 07985 936994 or email [email protected].
Oh no it isn't! Oh yes it is!
... it's that time of year when we think about the January pantomime. The theme is still a mystery but we're told that famous sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, will be playing his part to solve it!
If you'd like to play your part, auditions will take place locally on Sunday, 9th September at 2.00 p.m. and Monday, 10th September at 7.30 p.m. Please contact Bekka via the website for more information.
And if you don't want to act, you can still play your part and join in the fun. Help is always needed behind the scenes – design, carpentry, painting, sewing, admin, etc - as much or as little as you can commit. Call 01525 221583 to find out more.
The Pirates of Edlesbray
Well, the smell of the crowd and the roar of the greasepaint have faded away and this year's panto has passed into nautical history along with the Titanic and the Spanish Armada. Anyone who didn't bother to come to this year's show, then boo and hiss to you because you missed a great show, the result of many hours of swabbing the decks and climbing the rigging, put in by all the members of Edlesbray Players on your behalf.
This year we were hit by various bouts of (sea) sickness which threatened to scupper the good ship White Opel and all who sailed in her. Miraculously, just like an old episode of Ground Force, it all came together at the last minute and seemed to go down well with the almost full houses it played to.
Many thanks to all of you who helped in any way and particularly all of our loyal fans without whom we would be sunk.
The new Eaton Bray Edlesborough Lions group did a splendid job running the bar and raised £500 for the charity Medical Detection Dogs, while the teas and coffees raised £50 for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
As usual we are still after some help with running our shows, you don't have to act, sing or dance and you're not required to paint or construct scenery if that's not your thing, you just need to be able to organise things, make phone calls and send out emails. If you are recently retired or just have time on your hands, it's great fun as we all work as a team, and it's very satisfying.
We are always open to suggestions however extreme or outrageous so send us your thoughts via the contact page on the website www.edlesbrayplayers.co.uk
For photos from this year's show, see the The Pirates of Edlesbray - 2012 Panto album on the Edlesbray Players Facebook page.
The Pirates of Edlesbray (The curse of the village hall)
A show written by Bekka Prideaux and Jo Butcher
Tickets £6 and £4 from box office 01525 222283
A mad mixture of merriment, mayhem, music and dance, featuring all the usual suspects
Thurs. Fri. Sat. 26th 27th & 28th Jan. 2012 --- 7.30pm
plus 2.00pm Saturday matinee
Licensed bar in aid of Medical Detection Dogs
Matinee refreshments Raffle
Eaton Bray Village Hall, Church Lane, LU6 2DJ
Set sail with the Pirates of Edlesbray
Ahoy there me hearties! The Pirates of Edlesbray (The Curse of the Village Hall) sets sail at the end of this month and a good time is expected to be had by all.
This year's festive family show at Eaton Bray Village Hall is based on a theme of pirates in response to requests from the public after this year's St Mary's village carnival when the theme was also buccanneer based.
It has been written by director Bekka Prideaux and her partner Joe Butcher who many will remember from past productions and many successful appearances for Dunstable Rep at the Little Theatre.
Pirate captain Jerk, played by Matt Flitton, is tired of pirating and is looking for a replacement to take charge of the infamous pirate ship The White Opal.
A motley collection of characters from a selection of pantos turn up to audition for the job. A variety of tasks is set to weed out the wheat from the chaff, and those who fail will be forced to walk the plank. Those who triumph go through to the next round. Unfortunately, as with all pantos, nothing is straightforward and Davey Jones (played by the larger than life Jo Butcher) wants the ship for himself. He doesn't want to go through the selection process and has his own plan to take over the ship! As the cast sing and dance their way through the show there should be plenty to entertain all ages and tastes.
The Pirates of Edlesbray runs from January 26-28 including a Saturday matinee. There is a licensed bar in the evenings run by the new Eaton Bray & Edlesborough Lions group, with all bar profits going to the charity Medical Detection Dogs which uses dogs to detect cancer, warn of the onset of epileptic attacks, the onset of low blood sugar for diabetics.
For tickets call the box office 01525 222283.
Panto Stuff
The stage is back to normal, its curtains waiting to welcome the next budding actors into the limelight, or the enthusiastic leaders of some of the many exercise classes we have running in the hall. The sound system is waiting in readiness for the next event, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, funeral, quizzes, dances, all the numerous events put on after many hours of hard work by local people from all walks of life.
This year’s Panto was attended by hundreds of people, we hope you all had a good time and will be back next year for some more locally brewed entertainment. This year we had some new faces along with the usual mix of young and old stagers, and everyone seemed to enjoy the experience. Our thanks to all you fantastic people who helped in any way however small, and to all of you who came and supported us.
In order that we might continue to keep up a good standard we still need more volunteers to help, mostly in the field of administration, so if you can phone or email then you can be of assistance. No theatrical experience needed.
We could also do with a few more people to have a go at acting. You may be surprised how much fun it can be.
If you would to help or have any comments good or bad, contact us via the website.
Pete & Ronnie Farrar (Edlesbray Players)
Source: Edlesbray Players
A fun-filled Panta-mime!
Originality is hard to find in traditional pantos - but not in Eaton Bray where once again we have another great family show coming up.
The Edlesbray Players present Santa The Panta, a brand new show written by Dave Jones and directed by Bekka Prideaux.
The show is based around Santa Claus. The evil gangster rap baddie Scrudge has a grudge against Santa because he didn't get a present when he was eight-years-old. When his gang of urchins, who clean the chimneys, go on strike because of lack of pay, Scrudge sees a way of getting his own back on Santa; With the chimneys all blocked, how will Santa manage to deliver all the presents in time?
Santa's band of workers (the Santa squad) are sent in to sort out the problems. Will it all end happily, and will all the kids get their presents? Will the evil Scrudge get what's coming to him?
With all the usual mixture of fun and frivolity, music and dance you can be assured of a fun evening.
Performances are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 27th-29th January starting at 7.30pm with a matinee on Jan 29 starting at 2pm.
Tickets cost £6 for adults £4 for children from the box office 01525 222283. A discount for groups can be negotiated.
There will be a licensed bar and a raffle for the evening shows which is being run to raise funds for some of the village Scouts who are hoping to attend the world Scout jamboree next summer.
Source: Edlesbray Players
Curtain's up on new theatre group in Linslade
A veteren panto dame and leading light in the local am-dram scene is launching Linslade's first theatre group.
Families in the town will be spoilt for choice next Christmas when Gavyn Lugsden's new company, the Curtain Call Theatre Group, opens at The Raven Theatre with Aladdin.
Gavyn, former chairman and member of the Wing Players, an ex-Butlins Redcoat and a children's entertainer, has been involved in am-dram for more than 21 years.
And he knows his stuff when it comes to giving family audiences what they want. He's written seven pantomimes and has had his work performed at The Grove Theatre, in Dunstable.
But what the Eaton Bray actor and writer really wants is to give Linslade its own theatre group based in the second largest theatre in South Bedfordshire.
He said: "It will be the largest drama group in the area and will be based at the 360 seat Raven Theatre at Cedars Upper School.
"It is open to all budding actors, singers, dancers or to those who fancy dressmaking, scenery design, stage management, lighting and working behind the scenes.
"Initially, it will be open to everybody over 15 years of age but plans for a youth group are in the pipeline.
"Our first performance will be a spectacular pantomime - Aladdin - next January and yes, this will put us in competition with the Leighton Buzzard Drama Group!
"We then intend to showcase two further productions in 2011 before getting ready for the pantomime for 2012.
"We have a fantastic theatre and no-one is really taking advantage of it. The LBDG and other groups in Leighton use the Library Theatre but that has a third of the capacity of the Raven.
"I think this is the first drama group for Linslade, something the town has been crying out for. It'll be good to have a bit of healthy competition in the town.
"I have spent nearly 25 years in am-dram and I wanted to get more hands-on. This group will receive expert tuition and advice from qualified individuals, there will be workshops, a big social side, and three shows a year.
"We will be starting from scratch so we need people to help fund-raise and create scenery, backdrops, costumes etc.
"Our Aladdin will be truly extravagant production."
Rehearsals start in August but until then the group plans to enter a float into this year's Leighton Carnival.
"I'd really like as many people to register their interest, via the website, as soon as possible, so I can ascertain the level of interest at this early stage.
"We are also looking for a number of local businesses to sponsor the group, as starting from scratch will be quite an awesome task - but I fancy the challenge!"
For more details call Gavyn 01525 220525 or go to the website www.curtaincalltheatregroup.co.uk.
Source: Curtain Call Theatre Group
Much Ado About ... Saying Thank You
The booing and hissing, laughing and jeering has all died down. The scenery has been dismantled and all the wonderful costumes have been packed away for another year.
This year's panto was an experiment, and we hoped the idea of a Shakespearean connection would not put people off, and it was noticeable from the reaction to the jokes that we had a very knowledgeable audience who really got into the spirit of the thing.
We would like to thank everyone involved for their assistance with the show. We had around 60 people involved, all of which except 4 from the local villages. From the director, through script writer, sound and lighting, actors, make up, hair, costumes, props, painting etc, everybody put in fantastic efforts, battling with the weather and other difficult outside situations, to put on a show (hopefully) enjoyed by nearly 500 people.
We are always impressed with our youngsters since as an age group they are always being criticised in the media. This year we gained quite a few more new actors and helpers but we are always on the lookout for more, particularly organisers. You don't need to go on stage, build scenery or sew costumes but we do need people to run publicity, organise rehearsal dates, and assist with general administration. If you think you've got some spare time, give it a go, it's great fun and very rewarding.
Once again, thanks to everyone who helped and all of you who came. And for all of you who didn't - boo and hiss.
We are always pleased to have feedback, good AND bad, so try the website on www.edlesbrayplayers.co.uk and contact us.
-- Pete and Ronnie
Panto 2010 - Your Panto Needs You!
Following the success of last winter's out of this World frivolities, the time is now upon us when we start nagging you to help with next years' effort. We have most of the major personnel all revved up and raring to go ready to drag out Oscar winning performances from all you talented amateur performers.
To get the very best cast we can, we are holding informal auditions on two separate days in the hope that if you are interested you should be able to make one of them.
Sunday September 13th - 3pm to 5pm at the Coffee Tavern
or
Monday September 14th - 8pm to 10pm at the Coffee Tavern
If you are interested but are unable to make either date, give us a ring, 01525 221583 or email us on [email protected].
We are always open to anyone who would like to help in any way in all departments, i.e. backstage, scenery, wardrobe etc, so if you've always fancied the idea but never got around to it, now is the time. We particularly need scenery painters this year.
Hope to see you all in September.
-- Pete and Ronnie Farrar.
Source: Focus, August/September 2009