Panto
preparation gets underway as rehearsals begin
Sleeping Beauty
Durham Gala
Wednesday 23 November - Sunday 8 January 2022
A Durham City theatre is preparing to get into
the festive spirit as rehearsals begin for its popular annual pantomime.
Cast and crew came together for the first time for Gala
Durham’s Christmas show, Sleeping Beauty.
The production, written by Gary Kitching and directed by
Rachel Glover, is a hilarious new telling of the classic story inviting
audiences to follow the adventures of Briar Rose as she tries to escape a
marriage to poetry-mad Prince Chad of Middles-boroughly.
Meanwhile, having not received an invite from King
Archibald of Durham-ion to Briar Rose’s Christening years prior, the Evil Witch
Karen has plans to cast a curse which will see the princess sleep for a hundred
years.
Sleeping Beauty brings together a North East cast of new
and familiar faces to give audiences a panto that truly gets them into the
spirit of Christmas.
Returning for his third panto at Gala Durham, Jacob
Anderton, who played Robin Hood in last year’s production, will this year play
King Archibald of Durham-ion.
Also returning is Lauren Waine, who previously appeared in
Snow White and Robin Hood and this year plays Hester the Jester.
Prince Chad of Middles-broughly will be played by Benjamin
Storey, who appeared in The Nutcracker Re-Miced at Gala Durham last Christmas,
and Chloe Jane Millar plays Briar Rose.
Sammie the Dog will be played by County Durham actress Jude
Nelson, who recently appeared in A Way Home, and Steve Byron, an actor with 35
years of working in theatre in the region, will play the Nanny.
Having previously appeared in Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads
and more recently Brassed Off at Gala Durham, Zoe Lambert rounds off the cast,
playing the Evil Witch Karen.
Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet
member for economy and partnerships said: “With rehearsals now underway for our
pantomime, it is officially time for the festive season and we are really
excited to welcome audiences to Gala Durham to see this fantastic show.
“We are proud of our commitment to showcasing the brilliant
local talent we have through our Christmas shows and we are delighted to be
putting forward an all North East cast. Our Gala Durham pantomime is a key
event in the vibrant Christmas programme we put together each year, aligning
with our ambition of being the culture county.”
Also starring in the production will be an ensemble cast
including James Carson, Rebecca Cunningham, Ebonie Fletcher, Olivia Jones,
Eleanor Monaghan and Harvey Morris.
Sleeping Beauty is just one of the many cultural events
taking place in the county this year, cementing Durham’s position as the
‘culture county’ and demonstrating the county council’s ongoing commitment to
culture-led regeneration. This includes delivering key projects within the
county’s shortlisted UK City of Culture bid; progressing major capital projects
and raising the county’s profile as a fantastic place to live, work, visit and
invest.
Rehearsals will continue for the production ahead of
opening on Wednesday 23 November, from when it will run until Sunday 8 January.
Tickets:
Tickets are priced from £7, with family discounts
available, and can be purchased by calling the theatre’s Box Office on 03000
266 600 or online at www.galadurham.co.uk
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