Thursday 28 January 2016

BATS Review of 2016 Pantomime Sleeping Beauty

Review from (BATS) 2016 FOR "SLEEPING BEAUTY


Pantomime is a family tradition, one of which St Joseph's Players never fail to uphold. This production was brought to life by a large line up of principal characters supported by a team of talented dancers, who executed some great dance routines choreographed by Callan Unsworth. An adult and junior chorus completed the line up both of which worked very hard and turned in some great performances.
Keith Hindley as Fairy Nanny Fanny portrays an excellent Pantomime Dame and his experience shines though. Clare Nash was excellent again as Prince Christian in pursuit of her love ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ beautifully played by Karen Jones who gave us some nice vocals too. There are too many characters to name them all but suffice to say that all turned in excellent performances to make this is very successful and enjoyable production.

A live band under the baton of musical director Craig Barlow accompanied some well chosen musical numbers and the live sound was good to hear.
The scenery was once again to a very high standard and a special mention must go to the costume department. The number of costumes on display looked amazing and it was evident that a lot of time and commitment had been put into bringing these to the stage.
Director and author Doreen Johnson can be proud that St Joseph’s have succeeded again in producing an excellent family pantomime.
By Graham Cohen ( BATS CRITIC) Brilliant Review

Thursday 21 January 2016

St Joseph's Players magical Pantomime 2016, written and directed by the award winning DOREEN JOHNSON is SLEEPING BEAUTY. The curtain went up last night to a packed hall, It was brilliant and ten more night to go !. It really is an enchanting mix of live music, magic, adventure and fun with plenty of audience participation along with a brilliant cast.  Come along and see for yourself how the story unfolds. HURRY and get your tickets now from our Box Office: Ratcliffes Cycle's (opposite Iceland) Bradshawgate Leigh. The Pantomime runs until to Saturday 30th January.   Evening Performances 7-15pm Tickets for evenings are £8 adutlts £4 16yrs and under. Matinees are on the 23th 24th & 30th January and comm. at 2pm Tickets for matinees are £10 adults £4 16yrs & under.   Venue St Joseph's Hall, Chapel St. Leigh WN7 2PR Refreshments & Raffle available. for into email: stjosephsplayers1@gmail.com

Monday 11 January 2016

Hi,
     Here is the latest news regarding the Pantomime:

Tickets are going well so far at over 500 + more than last year, but then everybody loves the SLEEPING BEAUTY fairytale.  The second week is beginning to pick up but, as we all know after the first week the second week usually begins to fill up.  You have all done so well promoting the Panto so please keep up the good work and lets make it the best ever.

Our new young members who recently completed a course of workshops and performed in their first play are doing extremely well, just remember, once on that stage you are no longer you, you become the person you are in the story, you think, move, speak according to the part your playing and you will create a really magical fairytale.  We all have confidence in you so go out there and enjoy the moment.

Our photographer Gary will be there tonight to take pictures for the programme, don't worry he takes excellent photo's.  Have you checked out the pics on St Joseph's Face book page taken during rehearsals?   Keep up the good work.

Tuesday 5 January 2016

Sleeping Beauty                                           Director’s Notes


British audiences have been entertained for almost 300 years by the pantomime, but one needs to travel well back in time  to come across the origins of this type of theatre.  However, in its present form, we have the magic of spectacular scenery and effects and glittering and bizarre costumes. Also we have ‘cross dressing’ in some characters with men playing women’s roles and girls playing boy’s roles, as with the Dame and the Principal Boy. We have some frightening and bloodthirsty confrontations, great adventures and romance and comedy. Good always triumphs over evil - and so it should.

We try to appeal to all, but to children especially as, for many, it is their  first venture into live theatre. They love it because they can participate in the action. You all can. Cheering, booing , shouting (in the right places, of course) is obligatory. Oh! Yes it is! There are times when you can join in the singing- you’ll know when. Let’s hope you know all the words, which you usually do. There’s also a competition and a good time to be had by all.
You will realise that a great deal of work has gone into the preparation of the show. Thanks are due to Craig, our Musical Director,  and the Boys in the Band, our lovely dancers choreographed by Callan Unsworth, our delightful and enthusiastic troupe of fairy children taught by Christie Coleman and Louise Bailey.   We are also grateful to our backstage workers who make the props and paint scenery, to our wardrobe staff for the wonderful costumes and to our technical staff  for lighting and sound effects, and our enthusiastic publicity team.  We also have excellent front of house and refreshment  teams.   

Tickets available from Ratcliffes Bike Shop, Bradshawgate Leigh.  Panto comm. 20th Jan. to 30th Jan. Evening performances comm. 7-15pm £8 Adults £4 16yrs & under. Matinees 23rd  24th & 30th. Jan Tickets £10 Adults, £4 16yrs and under. curtain up 2pm

Special Offer:  all tickets £4 on 20th & 21st Jan.