SATURDAY 1 ST DECEMBER 2007 (22 days to opening night)

 Well the show is really coming together as the principal’s dialogue rehearsals are merged with the dancer’s and juniors rehearsals and the chorus rehearsals, both movement and dialogue, merge to make the whole ensemble piece an exciting ,fast moving, funny and entertaining show. . The overall vision has been presided over by our director, Iain Douglas, because as each rehearsal is done in isolation it is only now that the cast can see how their pieces fit into the production. The final tidying of the scenes will take place this week because on the 10 th December the run throughs start when the cast will see the full pantomime for the first time.

As well as the above there are numerous other elements to putting on a successful pantomime. Last week the costume team, mentioned in the June entry, returned to the Midlands to finalise the hire of all the glorious costumes we are having for the show. Some will be coming early for the photo call next week for the programme and press photos. Publicity is in full swing with newspaper adverts, shopcards, flyers being handed out at the recent full houses at the Palace Theatre, articles in the theatre “Friends” and Beach Hut November magazines and the front cover on the latter for December. The wonderful design for the show material by Dean (see 7th January entry) can clearly be seen on the double crown posters all around Torbay. Soon the job of handing out flyers to the general public during their pre- Christmas shopping will commence in Paignton and surrounding areas. The staff at the Palace Theatre are pulling out all the stops for which we thank them and overall the bookings are very healthy for this stage of the build up to the opening of the show.

Colin and Rae are finalizing the painting of the portals and the construction of new flatage as the Society has not performed “Sleeping Beauty” before and the door to the Old Tower and other pieces need to be made. As I write this section word reaches me of discussions with the area’s leading set construction designers who have produced a transformation scene as the forest grows to engulf the Palace which will be a wonderful sight to behold. More details when they are to hand. Lydia, our props guru, is busy making all the weird and wonderful smaller props that are called for in the script. “A vulture’s ripped out gizzard “and “a pair of gouged-out eyes” are just two of the delicacies going into the witch’s cauldron. This production will also include a rare guest appearance by Lydia herself so come and see if you can spot her.

Clive and Iain have met to discuss the running of the show and the lighting and hanging plot for the cloths. This year there will be true pantomime effects with a lighting “bleed through” and reverse “bleed through” enhancing the magic of the show.

So just 22 days to go before an anticipated full house sits down enjoy PPP’s production of “Sleeping Beauty” but there will be a lot more to report before then.

SUNDAY 28 th OCTOBER 2007 (56 days to opening night)

All the principals blocking has now been completed and pencils have been busy jotting down the various entrances and exits and when and where to move on which cue word.

Good Fairy Lilac always from downstage right and Bad Witch Hazel from downstage left, never crossing the centre line as tradition demands. King and Queen enter upstage right and move to centre stage and Muddles enters upstage left and as the story unfolds all the characters enter, interact and exit maintaining pace and interest throughout. All the moves are very precise as later in the rehearsal period the dancers, chorus and babes will be placed into the action in the spaces between and around the principals. When the start of a scene consists of a dance the final placing will be choreographed so as to allow the principals to get onto the stage with ease from their predetermined entrances.

The two teams of pantomime “babes” have also started to learn their routines which as I have pointed out before are quite complicated and numerous. It is certainly not a question of turning up a week before the performances to learn a couple of minor routines because in PPP the babes are an integral part of the show and are seen throughout the production.

The Social Committee have been finalizing the events which take place after the shows together with the after show party a week later and a good time is envisaged for all. Confirmed so far are Pizza Hut, Ocean Drive, Bowling, Backstage Bistro, Thai Garden and The Boathouse. The venue for the after show party is decided but has yet to be confirmed but will be exciting and new to us.

The second music rehearsal has also taken place which went really well. A further aim for the production team was to agree the length of each musical item not already set in order that the choreographers can bring their routines to a rousing conclusion.

I can assure you this is going to be a pantomime well worth coming to see!

THURSDAY 18 th OCTOBER 2007 (66 days to opening night)

Well we are off and running. Last night was the first rehearsal with Iain our Director blocking several scenes from Acts 1 and 2 with the principals. Various other theatrical commitments and holidays involving cast members necessitated the picking and choosing of scenes rather than ploughing through in chronological order but that buzz was undoubtedly there as the cast began to submerge themselves into their roles. It is certainly going to be an enjoyable but taxing rehearsal period.

Lydia, our props guru, was also on hand to jot down the weird and wonderful gadgets that sprang into the mind of Iain at various points in the script and she will certainly need to call upon all her ingenuity to produce some of them including a flatulent urinating doll, (it is in the professional script I promise you.)

The full rehearsal schedule has been posted to all concerned and onto this site together with the two panto babes’ team’s performance schedule. I am sure somebody will tell me those apostrophes are in the wrong place! Not long to go before St Luke’s Church Hall is alive with the sound of music (sorry wrong show) but the first full cast get together is always an exciting time with some cast members not having seen each other since last year.

The first check date has passed regarding the state of the bookings. Each year for the past nine years the number of seats bought and reserved on particular dates is ascertained so the Committee know where to focus their efforts regarding maximising the number of patrons. So mums, dads, grandmas, granddads, aunts, uncles and all who know the panto babes the published performance schedule is there so you can pick the relevant performance and rush to the box office to book early. I am pleased to say the bookings on the first check date are very encouraging and auger well for “Sleeping Beauty”

The Chris Harris panto day certainly lived up to all expectations. Chris was one of the first there and he had driven down from Bristol and that enthusiasm continued throughout the day. We heard about the origins of pantomime in this country, the different ways to play the principal parts, the songsheet, the importance of timing in routines, the pace of the show and the rhythm of the spoken verse. There were many participation exercises, some with costumes and props he had brought himself, together with insights regarding “Sleeping Beauty” and how some scenes might be played. Thank you Chris for a really enjoyable and entertaining day.

FRIDAY 14 th SEPTEMBER 2007 ( 100 days to opening night)

 Yes – just 100 days to opening night and the pace of the preparations is beginning to quicken.

The principals’ auditions came and went on the 12 th August which produced a great Sleeping Beauty cast. Whilst some parts were uncontested other places were the subject of numerous auditions and the casting panel spent a long time deliberating before the final cast was chosen. There is a fine mix of experience and new faces for audiences to enjoy with this our first production back at the refurbished Palace Theatre and it will be seen that in Torbay there is always new talent waiting in the wings to show how good they are.

Then we came to the senior dancers and panto “babes” auditions on the 9 th September. These were later than in previous years and as far as the “babes” were concerned the later date was vindicated with a greater number auditioning than in the last few years. PPP now expects the “babes” to be an integral part of any of our pantomimes and to this end they appear on stage in many scenes and dance quite complicated routines for their age. Therefore their audition is quite exacting with an emphasis on their ability to quickly absorb and put into practice detailed instructions from the choreographers. PPP is pleased to announce that it found 2 teams of 6 who met these requirements AND smile at the same time. Audiences will love them.

The senior dancers’ auditions were perhaps a little less successful in terms of numbers and further auditions will be held on the 4 th October at 6.30pm at St Luke’s Church Hall, Shedden Hill, Torquay.

All the advertising material has arrived and soon the various mail outs will take place. These days a society cannot just put up a poster and expect audiences to turn up on the strength of that poster – it has to go out and make contact with perspective patrons. Therefore over the next 113 days a great deal of effort will be expended to reach out to the people of Torbay to persuade them that pantomime is a great night out and “Sleeping Beauty” at the Palace Theatre, Paignton is well worth a visit. I am pleased to report that seats have already been sold and three party bookings that did not follow us to Torquay have again reserved seats for our return to the Palace Theatre. Other previous party bookings have also been contacted and indicated their willingness to book again so now is the time to get to the box office and reserve your seat(s).

As I mentioned at the end of the last entry the 7 th October will be a very special day as PPP has been most fortunate to secure the talents of one of Britain’s leading Dames for a day long workshop on “The Joy of Pantomime”. Chris Harris is one of the country’s leading authorities on pantomime having written six pantomimes with Chris Denys for the Bristol Old Vic and has for the past 6 years been Director and Dame for Bath Theatre Royal pantomimes produced by UK Productions which this year is Aladdin starring Clive Mantle and Chris. He has toured all over Britain and well over 40 countries with his one man shows, plays and workshops and for the NODA national summer schools and regional weekends, including Bicton. This is a return visit for Chris as he was with us in September 2001 and all of us there remember what a fun and informative day it was and look forward with great anticipation to the 7 th.

SATURDAY 21 st JULY 2007 (154 days to opening night)

 Last night was our AGM and Get-Together and what a good night it turned out to be. A total of 58 people had turned up by 7.30pm, including Committee and the regular stalwarts, several who were new to us last year, many who were new to us this year, both young and not so young. There were also numerous apologies received from those not able to attend and a general air of expectancy hung in the air.

Our President, Mr Nick Bye, opened the proceedings with a welcome and then proceeded to expertly negotiate his way through the numerous items on the Agenda bringing this part of the evening to it’s conclusion after just 30 minutes. All the requirements of the Society’s constitution had been fulfilled and the existing Committee will remain in situ for another year with one vacancy to be filled by co-option if the Committee deem it necessary. There was then a short break for refreshments before the commencement of the second part of the evening, and the reason for the attendance of the majority, the “Sleeping Beauty” details.

Iain Douglas, our Secretary and Director, rose and launched into a welter of detail about the show. Firstly he relayed the story of Sleeping Beauty and then detailed the characters and how they fitted into the pantomime format. Then he gave details of just what he was looking for and what he expected from auditionees for all the parts, the dancers, the chorus and the babes. He also emphasised that this year with the new raking at the Palace Theatre nobody could “hide” in the back row of the chorus as everybody will be clearly seen by the audience no matter where they are on the stage. He then ran through the songs that had been chosen which meet with universal approval. John, our MD, and Elaine and Amanda, our choreographers, were on hand to answer any questions and at the end of the evening it was good to see the queue that formed in front of the director’s table to register an interest in auditioning for the various parts on offer.

I first wrote about auditions on the 11 th June and at that time they seemed relatively far into the future. Well they are now only three weeks away!! If you couldn’t make it for the get-together all the details are set out on this site under “Audition details and audition pieces” and for principals and chorus the all important date is the 12 th August.

Finally if you love theatre and pantomime in particular keep the 7 th October free – it is a day you will not want to miss and I will tell you all about it in the next entry.

THURSDAY 19 th JULY 2007 (156 days to opening night)

The production team met last night to choose the music for this year’s production. This year they decided to steer clear of any songs from tried and tested musicals and go for more “pop” orientated songs that a younger audience might know. They also decided that just because a song had been included in one of our recent productions and had gone down really well it should not be excluded from this year’s “Sleeping Beauty”.

Therefore the production team have come up with 18 relevant, fast, catchy and well known numbers that will really get the audience wanting to join in and sing along with the cast. Such was the dedication of the team that all the numbers were chosen in one night and the meeting did not end until 11.40pm.

MONDAY 16 th JULY 2007 (159 days to opening night)

 Two occurrences this week made me realise that although we may only be in July preparations for Christmas are beginning to gain momentum. The first was a flyer in work giving a hotel’s details for office Christmas parties. The second was the immanent arrival of PPP’s AGM and production get-together this Friday.

This does not mean however that your Committee has been sitting back and waiting for details of the new production to miraculously appear. This is the first time PPP has performed “Sleeping Beauty” and so the Committee took the decision to purchase 3 new cloths which are relevant to the story and provide backdrops for scenes which we have not had to perform before. These cloths are stunning and will enhance not only this production but will be added to our stocks for future shows.

The Production Committee met to discuss the staging of the show and once again as “Sleeping Beauty” has not been performed before a whole host of different technical problems contained in the script which had not been encountered before had to be overcome. The production team, the chairman, the props manager and the technical manager put their collective thinking caps on and have certainly come up with some wonderfully imaginative and inventive ideas to tell the story in a magically, colourful and above all entertaining way.

Last time I mentioned 2 awards that had been won by PPP for aspects of its production of Dick Whittington.

The first was the most prestigious NODA SW Award – The Stage Electrics Award for Technical Achievement. Now the Palace Theatre has a 22 foot wide x 30 foot deep stage which is fully equipped as a theatre stage. The Riviera Centre has a 40 foot wide x 10 foot deep stage with a 10 foot front apron, no rear access to stage left, no wing space, no show replay, no fly lines, only 20 channels of lights and is basically a concert platform. So the problem was how to produce a show with numerous scene changes, 8 x 24 foot cloths and numerous entrances and exits for characters, dancers, chorus and babes both stage left and right.

First a grid had to be suspended from the ceiling on which to attach the cloths and LX bars. Then working from the rear wall hang our star cloth 2 foot from the wall to provide a corridor to allow the performers to get to stage left, and provide floor lighting for health and safety considerations. Then attach the remaining 11 cloth bars and LX bars to the grid in the remaining 8 feet thus using all the 10 foot stage depth. Attach the running tracks for the cloths to the bars so they could all be pulled from stage right and attach various forms of lighting to the LX bars. In front of this the 24 foot false proscenium arch was erected to hide the wings and the fact that our cloths are designed for a 22 foot wide stage. This was the basic set up and added to this was all the sound equipment, lighting equipment and accompanying never ending metres of cabling. The Society had to borrow and hire in ropes, tabs, sound and lighting equipment, a truss, rigging and cabling and a great show was forthcoming with the director, Iain, skilfully utilising the changed arrangements. All the above was masterminded by our Technical Manager, Clive Simmons, with help from Alex Bowen and Ben from ESW. A truly technical achievement to which the audience probably didn’t give a second thought but it is nice to know that such planning and hard work has been recognised. I must also mention that as well as the above Andrew, Jane, Emily and Lee were all heroes in the amount of work they did to set up the above in time for the performers to arrive for the technical rehearsal and they probably didn’t give it a second thought either!!

The second award was the runner up certificate in the NODA SW Souvenir Programme competition. Dean Breyley of grafix-design produced a superb design on every page of our programme incorporating new ideas which were all consistent with the Dick Whittington era and I particularly liked the centrefold with a composite photo the whole cast. As one of the babes appeared in both the blue and red teams she appears on both sides of the photo at the same time. Well done Dean and thank you.

MONDAY 11 th JUNE 2007 (194 days to opening night)

 Whatever happened to May? I am amazed that when I look at the last entry it was the 11 th April and now there are only 194 days to opening night. It is like when you go on a two week holiday – the second week always seems to go faster than the first which is probably why the PPP Committee likes to get all the major decisions regarding the pantomime resolved in the first half of the year with the detail following in what seems to be an ever decreasing timescale.

However this not to say that nothing has been happening. Ranee, our Treasurer, has made up the accounts for the last financial year and dispatched them to our auditor so that she can present them to the membership at the AGM on Friday 20 th July 2007 at 7.30pm.

I, together with many of the PPP committee, was lucky enough to be invited to the official opening night of the refurbished Palace Theatre on the 29 th April. Pictures and a write up can be found in the “Friends” section of the website but suffice it to say we were all very impressed and this year’s pantomime will look even better than ever from the auditorium.

During May Iain, our Director, drove the 3 hour plus to the Midlands to make a preliminary inspection of the availability of the costumes we might wish to use for the pantomime. He reported back to the Committee that there were numerous sets of costumes ideal for the style of show that Sleeping Beauty demands and as an added bonus he discovered that there were sets of junior costumes which matched the style of those for the adults. In September he will return with Jo Matthews and Georgie Pole, our wardrobe mistresses, to finalize the hiring when the cast and their measurements are known.

The audition panels for Sleeping Beauty have now been chosen in accordance with the Society’s constitution and I can assure all those who are thinking of auditioning we do not have a “Simon Cowell” on the panel. It is all very enjoyable and everyone is put at their ease so the panel can see the auditionees in their best light. More of this nearer the time.

The production meeting to choose the music will soon take place so now is the last time to forward your suggestions to Iain. (See item under the 21 st March.)

News just in! PPP has won two South West Region NODA awards for various aspects of the last Christmas production of Dick Whittington at the Riviera International Conference Centre. More details to follow next time.

WEDNESDAY 11 th APRIL 2007 (257 days to opening night)

 As I write this latest instalment there is excitement in the air both at the Palace Theatre, Paignton and within PPP.

Today the theatre held an open day in order for the general public to view where the £900,000 had been spent and all agree it has been spent well. A wonderful auditorium with great views from every seat, an enlarged bar with comfortable seating, a warm and inviting colour scheme and many improvements to the dressing rooms and backstage areas. Already the public are asking what the pantomime is going to be this year knowing that wherever they sit all will have a good view of a great show. In fact whilst helping with the “Friends” balloon race in Paignton town centre last Saturday I was frequently asked the same question with the added message that they had missed being able to go to the Palace pantomime last year. Such is the interest being shown that it has been decided that the Box Office will open from TODAY and not the 1 st July.

At last the audition dates can be announced. The principals and chorus auditions will be Sunday 12 th August at 2.30pm.

These auditions usually take place as close to the AGM as possible and are first so that those who are unsuccessful can audition again to be dancers or part of the chorus. It is the date of the dancers and babes auditions that is usually difficult to fix. If it is too early the interest is not there what with the Plymouth Festival followed by the August holidays. Very early in September means that the dancing schools are not back for their autumn term and so audition notices might not be read in time. So this year it has been decided to announce the date now and constantly remind potential dancers, babes and chorus throughout the summer.

Therefore the date for the dancers and babes auditions is Sunday 9 th September. Notices to this effect have already been posted at the Palace Theatre to coincide with the Paignton Festival.

So the show is chosen, the performance dates and ticket prices agreed and the box office is open for business. This year’s charity has been approved and auditions and AGM dates set. You can help to choose the music (see last entry) and the final advertising material will be approved at the next Committee meeting on the 20 th April.

The excitement mentioned in the first paragraph? Well it appears that now there is a dedicated, friendly and efficient body of staff at the Palace who are already generating a feeling that they are there to help and encourage both hirers and public which, with the refurbished surroundings, is creating excitement at the theatre and the rekindled interest in this year’s pantomime is certainly exciting all at PPP. It’s certainly going to be the year to either participate in or buy a ticket to see “Sleeping Beauty” at the Palace Theatre.

WEDNESDAY 21 st MARCH 2007 ( 277 days to opening night)

Here is another important date for your diary – 20 th July 2007 at 7.30pm. This is when the PPP Annual GeneralMeeting and Sleeping Beauty Get Together will take place at St Luke’s Church Hall, Shedden Hill, Torquay and with a break from normal practice it will be on a Friday evening.

Although an important event in any amateur society’s calendar PPP regulars will know that the AGM section of the evening passes relatively quickly and the reason for most people’s attendance, the details of the next production, heralds the start of existing and new PPP member’s involvement in the current pantomime. The production team will be on hand to explain what they expect from principals, dancers, chorus and babes at the auditions, rehearsals and during the run of the show. Iain, our director, will also give a précis of the storey, the principals, the songs chosen by the production team and the rehearsal schedule. Scripts can be taken for a small returnable fee (if not successful at the audition) and questions answered on any topics regarding the show. Past experience confirms that a jolly time will be had by all at this informal gathering.

I mentioned the script and the songs above and I can confirm that a wonderful script has been secured by PPP for Sleeping Beauty. It is again by Alan Frayn and as with the two previous pantomimes is very witty whilst effectively telling the basic dramatic story. There are a host of verbal and visual gags which will delight and amuse audiences and a twist in the narrative that keeps the tension in the story far longer than is usual. An entertaining time will be had by patrons and participants alike.

One of the most difficult and often most contentious aspects of any pantomime is the choice of songs. Everybody has different thoughts on which songs are either right, relevant or appropriate for the chosen pantomime. Should they be just well known songs that everyone can sing along to or more obscure songs from musicals which help move the story along in a particular scene? Should they be fast or slow? How many should there be? What should be the audience participation song? Ultimately the number of songs can determine the length of the show and the number of rehearsals as PPP always applies its professional standards to whatever is placed before the public. The experience of our production team and the script will determine the number and where the songs and music will occur in the show but this year perhaps you can contribute some input to the decision making process. If you feel a particular song is right for the story of Sleeping Beauty, orthe opening or the finale, why not drop Iain the director an e-mail with your suggestion(s) at iaindouglas@aol.com However do not feel aggrieved if it not chosen as there are thousands of songs available and the directors decision is final and will be revealed at the AGM!

Coming soon will be the publicity material and those audition dates so keep checking the website and keep up to date with all the Committee decisions as they happen.

WEDNESDAY 14 th MARCH 2007 ( 284 days to opening night)

To paraphrase a well known football chant “Panto’s Coming Home” and it’s starting at 7.30pm on the 23 rd December 2007. Yes our home since 1935 the Palace Theatre will play host again to 13 performances of a PPP pantomime which this year is Sleeping Beauty.

Now that the Society does not have to pay a hiring fee for Christmas Day and another non performing day the Committee is pleased to announce a return to its original intention of opening before Christmas on the 23 rd December with ALL tickets being just £8. It might appear that we keep changing our minds about the performance schedule but we do have to be mindful of our costs and the reduction in the proposed increase for the theatre hire now means we can perform when experience dictates is the most convenient times for our patrons, keep our ticket prices at a reasonable level and give special rates for party bookings and to the Friends of the Palace Theatre. (It also means I have to keep recalculating the days to opening night). The full schedule and ticket prices can be found by clicking on the Sleeping Beauty section on the homepage.

You may have noticed that we recently advertised a show at the Little Theatre, Torquay which was produced by Martin Southard and his wife Amelia who as Amelia Thomas was one of our former members. Amelia performed in ten PPP pantomimes between 1981 and 1990 inclusive starting as a babe, then as senior dancer before becoming a principal for her last four shows. Four years ago Amelia was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and the concert was to raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society – South Devon Branch. The Committee had no hesitation in approving a proposal to make the same local branch its designated charity for this year, firstly in recognition of Amelia’s contribution to PPP’s success and secondly in the knowledge that all the funds raised would be used in the South Devon area. We hope to match (or exceed) the wonderful total raised by Martin and Amelia from what I can personally testify was an excellent show.

Most people have a diary and whilst they may not write what happens to themselves every day they do put in the dates of important events that are coming up during the year. Well the first one as mentioned above is the 23 rd December – Opening Night of Sleeping Beauty. Secondly there is 1 st July – Box Office opens for Sleeping Beauty. The improved auditorium and foyer of the Palace Theatre will really enhance the theatre going experience so “Buy a Ticket – Feel the Buzz” as soon as you are able.

The dates for the AGM and those all important auditions are provisionally set but need to be finally ratified so keep checking in as they will be announced on the web soon!

THURSDAY 1 st MARCH 2007 (297 days to opening night)

It’s March and Christmas has come early. The last two entries have been dominated by Torbay Council’s proposed huge increase in the hiring fees for the refurbished Palace Theatre and the effect those charges would have on our production schedule and ticket prices charged to our patrons.

The last PPP Committee meeting resolved to make representations to the Councillors and Officers detailing the effects of the proposed charges on ourselves, other hirers and the Council’s stated policy of making the Palace Theatre the cultural heart of Paignton. Now I am able to confirm that this week a letter has been received detailing a revised set of fees which while still being an increase are less than those originally proposed. The Officers within the Theatre, Arts and Events Department of the Learning and Cultural Services Directorate of Torbay Council and the relevant Councillors are to be commended and praised for their swift response to a situation that may have rendered the theatre dark for long periods in the coming year, an outcome nobody would have wanted having just spent over £900,000 refurbishing the “Grand Old Lady”.

The next PPP Committee meeting on Monday week will now absorb the new situation regarding the fees when discussing the performance schedule again and the ticket prices.

WEDNESDAY 14 th FEBRUARY 2007 ( 311 days to opening night – or is it?)

 We are now into February and you would think that it is far too early to be making decisions about a pantomime in December. Wrong. Today I received an e-mail giving current advertising rates and asking whether or not PPP wished to advertise in a local magazine to be published in March – deadline this Friday (and we can have last year’s advertising rate into the bargain). Well some decisions are much easier then others!

The PPP Committee met last Monday with a very full agenda before them to begin to decide some of the important detail regarding this year’s “Sleeping Beauty”. The full impact of the increased theatre hiring charges was graphically illustrated in the draft production budget (which has to produce a profit sufficient to cover the costs of running the Society whether or not there is a show). Some items of expenditure are fixed, for example the NODA subs or garage rates in the General Account or royalties on the chosen script in the Production Account, whilst all the others require decisions. Length of time in the theatre determines hire charges, costume, scenery and props budgets determine how lavish the production will be, electrics and music budgets determine the overall look and sound of the show. Over 40 income and expenditure figures were discussed and all in relation to one of the biggest determinants of audience size – the ticket prices.

The meeting took more than 4 hours and finished at 11.35pm so it pays to be fit if you are a PPP committee member! Some budget heads are a percentage of a variable balancing figure and so the number crunching continues in readiness for the final approval of the whole budget at the next committee meeting including ticket prices. However one thing is certain – with the decisions already made at this meeting Sleeping Beauty will live up to and even surpass the professional standards of previous PPP pantomimes when we return once again to our newly refurbished home with its wonderful, comfortable auditorium.

And the “or is it” in the heading? In order to reduce the non income producing days in the theatre and lessen the hire charges it was decided the opening show will now be on Boxing Day – so 315 days to opening night.

THURSDAY 25 th JANUARY 2007(331 days to opening night)

When you look at any Society’s accounts invariably it is the cost of the hire of the venue that is by far the largest element of any production. Therefore the new pricing structure for the hire of the newly refurbished Palace Theatre in Paignton was eagerly awaited in order to assess its impact on the overall viability of the proposed production decided earlier in the month.

Last week a letter was received from Torbay Council detailing the new charges and perhaps the biggest change is the introduction of a weekly charge of £2500 which equates to approximately £360 a day whether or not there is a performance. (Hiring by the day is £450 for Monday – Friday and £475 for Saturday and Sunday.) Previously the Society paid £195 for a double performance day or £110 for a single performance day and nothing on a dark day. Taking other changes into account the overall increase in hiring costs on a like for like basis from get in to get out is approximately 235%. However charges to the Society had not increased for many years and are now similar to a theatre in a neighbouring town which has over 100 seats less.

The problem is that demand for pantomime tickets is not elastic and therefore the Committee cannot just increase the ticket prices by a similar 235%. Also brand loyalty cannot be guaranteed as we learnt to our cost last year. Therefore many decisions with regard to income and expenditure will need to be made by the Committee to try and absorb a large part of the increased hiring fee without compromising the “professional” standards PPP delivers or putting up ticket prices to a level that will deter new or existing patrons.

THURSDAY 18 th JANUARY 2007 (338 days to opening night)  

With the pantomime chosen the next important decision is which script to adopt. It isn’t any good having talented actors if the lines they are given to deliver are dull and boring and won’t hold the audience’s attention. Pantomime may be a child’s introduction to live theatre so it is imperative that what is put before them is not too wordy and slow but something they will remember and want to come back to time and time again.

Iain, our Director, has obtained and read five scripts in the past couple of weeks with a view to telling the magical story of Sleeping Beauty in the traditional pantomime format. The difficulty is to balance the story between the first and second halves in order to avoid very little plot being left to tell after the interval, a problem that is also found in Cinderella. The two scripts that Iain favours overcome this problem admirably and so these scripts will now be read by other Committee members with a view to making a final decision on the 12 th February.

TUESDAY 16 th JANUARY 2007 (340 days to opening night)  

The final acceptance of the offers made to the production team has been received. Therefore the full production team will be Iain Douglas (Director), John Amery (Musical Director), Elaine Johnson and Amanda Coote ( Choreographers). PPP is fortunate to retain such a great team who work so well together, make rehearsals so enjoyable and produce such highly professional pantomimes.

THURSDAY 11 th JANUARY 2007 (345 days to opening night)

The first drafts of the poster design have been produced by Dean and look absolutely wonderful. Various details that are required for the finished poster are yet to be decided but the concept is great and will certainly draw the attention of any motorist or pedestrian.

SUNDAY 7 th JANUARY 2007(Only 349 days to opening night)

Well that’s another pantomime over and the small gathering assembled for the de-brief in the upstairs room at St Luke’s Church Hall, Torquay have given their views on Dick Whittington 2006 both in terms of performance and organisation. Colin the chairman has promised to “take on board” the various comments made and within 15 minutes of the end of that meeting the Committee sat down to plan Paignton Pantomime Productions show for 2007/2008.

The main thrust of the discussion was to ensure that the patrons that did not follow us across the Bay to Torquay returned to the newly refurbished Palace Theatre Paignton in 2007. Therefore the choice of show was all important. Soundings had been taken from the cast during the run of the show and as Cinderella had only been performed the year before and is usually the most popular pantomime the Committee unanimously voted for Sleeping Beauty, the story of a young girl who triumphs over adversity wrought by an elder and saved by a young prince, a romantic storyline not dissimilar to Cinderella.

The Committee also unanimously agreed to invite the current highly successful team to produce the new show. Iain Douglas being present accepted the role of director and the decisions of John Amery, (MD) and Elaine Johnson and Amanda Coote (Choreographers) are awaited.

In all its 71 year history PPP has never performed Sleeping Beauty and so in the coming weeks various scripts will be obtained and read to ensure the best version is put before our patrons. Another first was the decision to have two shows before Christmas at a single special preview price for all seats but with no other discounts. The seat prices have yet to be decided.

The posters for Dick Whittington were not deemed striking enough to attract immediate attention so this year it was decided to ask Dean Breyley of grafix design to put forward ideas for our advertising material. Dean had produced a stunning programme for Dick Whittington as he had for the two previous TOADS shows and if you want to contact Dean for any of your design projects log onto www.grafix-design.co.uk for details.