A Welcome from our President
Hello there, Mums and Dads, Boys & Girls! It is that magical time of the year when we put all our cares and worries to one side for a couple of hours and enjoy another brilliant Paignton Panto. It is my privilege & pleasure to welcome you, one and all, to this year's production of 'Aladdin'. I know just how hard our talented team have been working to bring us another top notch show. Each year it seems to be bigger & better & even more professional without losing any of the fun of this very traditional form of entertainment. This year we welcome some newcomers to the cast who join very familiar faces. Sadly, my offer to appear has been politely turned down as Mr Director did not want to spoil your merriment. I had been hoping to find a magic lantern & a Genie who could make all our wishes come true & all of Torbay's problems disappear..... So, instead, join me, sit back, relax & enjoy everybody else's hard work and talent in the wonderful setting of the Palace Theatre.
NICK BYE (ELECTED MAYOR OF TORBAY)
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A welcome from the Chairman
I have great pleasure to welcome you to The Palace Theatre and our fabulous production of ‘Aladdin’. You are about to enjoy an absolutely stunning pantomime. Be prepared for a fast paced, full of fun adventure, brimming with music, dance and comedy. We begin in the Mysterious East and then travel to China to meet our oriental hero ‘Aladdin’, he’ll need your support so please feel free to participate in the fun and frolics, so HISS, BOO, CHEER, as loud as you like! I am confident that, you will agree with me, that our talented cast have been brilliantly directed by our Production Team; Amanda, Elaine, lain and John in producing a truly magical pantomime. Thank you for your continued support and may I take this opportunity to wish you a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year. I look forward to seeing you and all your friends back again next year!
COLIN GILDERTHORP |
A word from the Director
Another Christmas, another pantomime!! This year has really flown by very fast. After last years success with ‘Sleeping Beauty’ a panto title new to PPP, there was some debate as to presenting another new title to us, but in the end we decided to present the ever popular old favourite “Aladdin”. It’s the third time I have directed this title for PPP, but each one has been vastly different. We auditioned the principals in mid August, and the dancers and chorus and juniors in Mid September. Then, it was all systems go from the final week in October. Since then rehearsals have been held on most nights and twice on Sundays. Not all the cast are called to every rehearsal, but it takes a while to set all the musical numbers. I can’t do it on my own, and once again I have had the pleasure to work with my usual partners on the team. Elaine and Amanda have worked very hard on some very nifty choreography and John has arranged the music and tinkled the ivories at
quite a few rehearsals.John is, in fact, the only member of the production team that you will ‘officially’ see as he sits with his musicians down in front of the stage. You might spy Elaine, Amanda or me wafting around somewhere in the theatre, but we do tend to keep to the shadows. John, on the other hand subjects himself to the spotlight, and the random comments and comic asides of the principal cast. He loves it really.
The other beasts who keep in the shadows are the theatre technical staff. They work like Trojans for the few days leading up to opening night and we really couldn’t get the show on without Clive Simmons and his team. The technicality of a lot of it is above me really – I just ask for it, and it suddenly appears – but they are real experts and do their jobs beautifully.
The principal cast list is a good mix of regulars and newcomers. The regulars
are Alan Wagstaff, Colin Gilderthorp, Rae Gilderthorp, Nicholas Heath,
Steve Gale, Jo Button, and Hazel Laugee. We welcome back Carly Watts, who used to be a dancer with us until she left to go to the bright lights for professional training. After a period working abroad as an entertainer, she is looking forward to treading the Palace Boards once more.We also welcome Katie Twigger and Ted Stockton-Smith to the society. Felix Hembury gains promotion from the chorus to a principal character, but just to keep his hand in, and keep him busy he is also appearing in the chorus. That will keep him out of trouble! As usual, we have had lots of laughs at rehearsals, mostly at the expense of Nick Heath, but at least he takes it all in good humour. Well, he doesn’t really have any choice does he? Although everyone enjoys rehearsals, they understand that it is all very hard work. Good shows take lots of rehearsing, but then, no-one likes being in a poor show. Panto is very special, and it is a great feeling to hear the response of the audience, especially the children. As long as they have been entertained and had a great time then our job has been done well.
Iain Douglas |
