Theatre Company
Created in Parent’s Memory
Peter Plank’s Magical Mystical Egg
South Shields Westovian Theatre
Wednesday 4th -
Friday 6th April 2018
A newly formed South Shields based theatre company is about to produce
its first show and it wouldn’t be happening without two very important people.
Walton-Gunn Productions was set up to honour the memory of company creator and
producer Stacy Walton’s parent’s. Peter
Planks Magical Mystical Egg will open at seaside venue The Westovian
Theatre this Easter and it hopes to be the start of a long successful legacy
for the well loved and dearly missed Anthony and Maureen Walton.
Peter Planks Magical Mystical Egg has been written by well known panto
actor and writer Wayne Miller. A name and face many will know as Santa’s
Naughty Elf, The Customs House Theatres hugely popular character from it Under
7’s Christmas smash hit. Wayne will also play the title character Peter Plank,
someone last seen in the children’s show A Rabbits Tail.
Walton-Gunn hopes to capitalise on the North Easts love of pantomime as
the perfect way to launch itself as a new producing company. What better place
to begin its journey than in their home town, well known for its entertainment
history. A lot of that history coming from the chosen venue which is also known as The Pier Pavilion. A theatre that has
seen a lot over the years and Walton-Gunn are hoping to build on that. Producer
Stacy says “We looked at many venues but, being born and bread in South
Shields I knew that’s where we had to have the first show. Knowing The
Westovians and knowing the history it has for providing well loved panto in
it’s beautiful theatre, I couldn’t resist it and the decision was made.”
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| Maureen and Stacy |
A home town venue has become the perfect place to begin Stacy’s dream to
have a company that produces theatre that her parents will be forever proud of.
Theatre was such a big part of life in the Walton house, leading to Anthony and
Maureen sending their daughter to theatre school in London. “This company was created out of the love of
two parents, my parents who were both my best friends and cheer leaders in all
that I achieved. Growing up the support and love I received throughout my life
was unmeasurable. Their dedication to my love of dance, which any dance mam or
dad can relate to, was relentless and I will be forever thankful and proud to
have had the best parents any girl could wish for. This company is dedicated to
that love and support and I am so very proud to be creating theatre pieces in
their memory.” explains former dancer Stacy.
After a dance injury she was forced to leave the dancing career, but she
has never let that injury get in the way of her love of dance and theatre. She
began choregraphing dance and judging dance competitions, so was never too far
away from her first love. It was her choreography skills that ignited the idea
and passion to create her own company. After working for Customs House
productions Wendy The Witch, Santa’s Naughty Elf and a conversation with the
shows director, the idea of Walton-Gunn was born.
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| Peter Plank |
As a new company they have assembled a stellar cast for their first
production which includes star of South and North Shields panto Craig Richardson,
former Tyne Theatre panto and radio presenter Jo Jo Hatfield and Times Square
panto villain Stephen Sullivan. Supporting the cast are the dance team of Lori
Smedley and Loren Robson both former South Tyneside Dance Workshop dancers.
After each performance of Peter Planks Magical Mystical Egg a bucket
collection will be held to raise money for a very worthy cause and
organisation. All money will go toward the support of Jarrow based charity St
Clare’s Hospice. Stacy adds, “Sadly, I
lost both my mam and dad to cancer in the last two years and as a family we
could not have got through it without the help of St Clare's Hospice, so I
would like raise money in my parents honour to help the hospice so that they
can continue providing outstanding care to other families in their most
difficult moments.”
Tickets:
Peter Plank’s Magical Mystical Egg
comes to the Westovian Theatre, South Shields from Wed 4th to Friday 6th April with performances at 12:00 & 3:30pm
Tickets £6, Group Ticket £20 (admits 4)
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