25 NOVEMBER - 3 DECEMBER 2021 Book By THOMAS MEEHAN AND BOB MARTIN
Music By MATTHEW SKLAR
Lyrics by CHAD BEGUELIN
Based on the New Line Cinema film written by David Berenbaum Originally produced by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures in association with Unique Features
Director / Producer - NIK BRIGGS | Musical Director - STEPHEN HACKSHAW Choreographer - EMILY TAYLOR Lighting Design - Magnus Leslie | Sound Design - Michael Paver Scenic Design - Nik Briggs | Costume - DS Design Production Manager - Daniel Stephenson Set Build – Dan Lewis, Barry Benson, Rich Stirk and Geoff Theaker Followspot Operators - Geoff Theaker and Harvey Johnson Chaperones – Lynn Taylor and Sally Barker Marketing and Sales - Kevin Coundon Production Photography - Kirkpatrick Photography Programme - Marmadukedesigns.com
www.yorkstage.com @yorkstage
@yorkstagemusic
@yorkstage
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI Europe www.mtishows.co.uk
A warm welcome to the Grand Opera House York and our production of Elf The Musical. It has been over two years now since we presented our last show here, Shrek the Musical, in September 2019 and it feels so good to be back. We are over the moon to be working with the amazing in-house team here to bring this fantastic festive show to the city for the very first time! Whilst we have not been able to bring our large scale shows to the city over the past eighteen months, we have had lots of fun (and used lots of anti bacterial gel) as we’ve tried to ensure we could continue to entertain people in various different forms as we learnt to live with a new normal throughout the pandemic. We sadly had to cancel our planned productions such as Bugsy Malone and Sondheim on Sondheim which was a real shame as they were set to be sensational shows but we then turned our attention to a range smaller projects. Starting with our Songs from the Settee: Virtual Performances, we spent the first lockdown singing into our camera phones at home, Amazon got a number of orders for recording equipment as we all battled to set up the equivalent of Abbey Road Studios in our living rooms! Once we were allowed outside with productions we ventured to the Rowntree Park Amphitheatre for the first time as we created two sell out concert runs, York Stage @ Rowntree Park and Jukebox Diva’s complete with live bands, soaring vocals and the stunning production values our audiences have come to expect all under the stars (and one night in the pouring rain). Heading into Christmas we set ourselves the mammoth challenge to ensure York continued to get a top notch panto at Christmas and set about producing what turned out to be York’s biggest Panto in York’s smallest theatre, Jack and the Beanstalk at Theatre@41 on Monkgate; a West End cast, lots of panto magic and a truly stunning inflatable Beanstalk made by the Grand Opera House’s very own Lisa Cameron. This unforgettable experience was one of the hardest show’s we’ve ever produced but the spirit within the company fuelled us so that we were able to overcome a myriad of challenges to ensure the show did go on! So after all of that, the past few months of preparing for Elf the Musical at the Grand Opera House with all the technical capabilities it has, has seemed rather straight forward. Can I take this opportunity to thank every audience member who joined us for the shows over the difficult times and to those who sent best wishes from across the country whilst they were unable to attend; as performers and creatives we live to create theatre for audiences so thank you for trusting us and attending through the uncertain times. I hope you can sit back, feel comfortable and enjoy today’s show as we help Buddy rekindle the true Christmas spirit! Nik Briggs York Stage - Producer/Artistic Director
Buddy Hobbs, a young orphan child, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. After discovering the baby, Santa and his elves decide to raise the child as an elf. Years later, Buddy finds out that he’s actually a human being and, at Santa’s prompting, heads off to New York City in search of his father, Walter Hobbs. Faced with the harsh reality that Walter is on the naughty list and his son, Michael, doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his birth family and help New York City remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Since it’s release in 2003, the film Elf, starring Will Ferrell, has become a firm family favourite when it comes to Christmas movies, so it was only a matter of time before it made it’s way to the stage. After a 2009 workshop, the musical officially opened for a limited holiday engagement at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on Broadway on November 14, 2010. Casey Nicholaw directed. The final performance took place January 2, 2011 after a run of 15 preview and 57 regular performances. Following the success of the 2010 production, the musical returned to the Al Hirschfeld for a second holiday season in 2012. This new production featured a revised book and a brand new opening number “Happy All the Time” which you will see today! A production of the musical then opened at the Dominion Theatre on October 24, 2015, for a 10-week run. It was reported that the production was the fastest selling show since the Dominion Theatre opened in 1929. Elf the Musical truly is the perfect York Stage show to return to the beautiful Grand Opera House with; a huge broadway orchestration, colourful costumes, dazzling dance routines, lots of tinsel, glitter, snow, Santa and a story that all the family can enjoy together! Coupling all of this with another sensational York Stage cast, made up of professional actors and only the very best of community actors from across the region we really are ready to wow you! Three Fun Facts about the film which Elf the Musical is based on… •
• •
Several minor traffic accidents occurred when Will Ferrell walked through the Lincoln Tunnel in his costume, because people were so surprised (and distracted from their driving) to see him wearing an elf outfit. The scene when Buddy eats different candies and pastries with the spaghetti noodles had to be shot twice, because Will Ferrell vomited the first time. Will Ferrell turned down $29 million to be in a sequel in late 2013…we’re sure Damien would be interested in talking to the producers if they still wanted to make the sequel!
DAMIEN POOLE
SOPHIE HAMMOND
Buddy
Jovie
Training: Arts Educational School of Musical Theatre
Training: The American Musical Theatre Academy. The Actors Class, London.
Theatre Credits: Swing/ Dance Captain, Original London Cast of Groundhog Day, The Old Vic; Kansas/ Swing Dance Captain, Gypsy the Musical, The Savoy and the Chichester Festival Theatre. Oompa Loompa/Mr Beauregard, Original London Cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Theatre Royal Drury Lane; The Mad Hatter/Swing, Original London Cast of Shrek the Musical, Theatre Royal Drury Lane; Alternate TeenAngel/Vince Fontaine/Kenickie/Roger, Grease the Musical, The Piccadilly Theatre; Ensemble/News Reporter, Betwixed the Musical, The Ambassadors Theatre; Ensemble, Chess in Concert, The Royal Albert Hall; Performer/Little Mermaid performer, What’s onStage Awards. TV Credits: The Royal Variety Performance, The Olivier Awards, Britain’s Got Talent, TheAlan Titchmarsh Show, This Morning, GMTV, Heartbeat, My Parents Are Aliens, Emmerdale, Wilmot. Soundtracks/Vocals/Workshops: Mary Poppins Returns, Josh Groban Collection, Gypsy the Musical, Chess in Concert, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Original Frozen the Musical workshops/creative sessions. Damien secured a role as one of Adele’s backing vocalists on her Wembley UK tour datesback in 2018, performing in front of an audience of 90,000 people. He has also sung Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree live on This Morning dressed as a Pig. Damien Taught all the puppetry on the UK Tours of Shrek the Musical and Directed and Choreographed York Stage’s production of Shrek the Musical, while finding time to take part in York Stage’s first live Concert’s Songs from the Settee: Live on Stage since the pandemic. Damien set up his own theatre school, DPTA, in Harrogate in 2017 and enjoys spending his time teaching performers, young and old, the magic of Musical Theatre, alongside teaching at Leeds Conservatoire as a Senior Lecturer on their Musical Theatre degree course. Damien wishes to thank his ever supportive family, as well as the brilliant team at York Stage for their continued kindness and generosity.
Theatre Credits: For York Stage, Ariel, Footloose, Grand Opera House York. Elsewhere, Nikki, Sweet Charity, Stockwell Playhouse London; Ensemble, Cinderella Boom or Bust, Drury Lane; Kaa, The Jungle Book, UK Tour; Sarah, Our House, Lichfield Garrick Theatre; Backing Vocalist, Barry The Penguin, Perfect Pitch Global Musicals; Backing Vocalist, SMP Concert, The Other Place. TV Credits: Nurse Griffin, Breathless, ITV. Sophie has thoroughly enjoyed being back with York Stage after her time away pursuing her career with the Performing Arts. This will be Sophie’s first time back at the Grand Opera House York performing with York Stage for eleven years. Sophie would like to thank everyone who is involved in the cast and creative team of Elf The Musical and to everyone who has supported her through her journey in the Performing Arts.
STUART PIPER
JO THEAKER
Walter Hobbs
Emily Hobbs
Training: Arts Educational School (Tring), NYMT.
Training: Italia Conti
Theatre Credits: West-End includes Linus in Snoopy!,Charing Cross; Dandy Dan, Bugsy Malone, Queens; Annie Get Your Gun, Prince of Wales and on tour: Scrooge, Honk, Me and My Girl. He recorded Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar at Abbey Road Studios (Spotify/Amazon music). Television Credits: The Boot Street Band, The Politician’s Wife, Absolutely Fabulous, Catherine Cookson’s The Girl, Plastic Man. Film Credits: Tom’s Midnight Garden (MGM), Daisies in December. Stuart left acting just for a brief 15 years, to become an Agent & Producer to some of the biggest stars in the land from Pixie Lott to even two of the Spice Girls. He was particularly proud to cocreate the Whatsonstage Awards, and to have exec produced two feature films: Mrs Lowry & Son (Netflix) & The Time of Their Lives (Amazon Prime). Like Walter, after some years as a stressed out businessman, he realised “it’s never too late to grow” and moved to York to live closer to family and change his life, enrolling at York St John University to broaden his future horizons. He dedicates all of this, and his performance in Elf, to his son Charlie.
Theatre Credits: For York Stage, Fairy Mary, Jack and the Beanstalk and M’Lynn, Steel Magnolias, Theatre@41. Maria, The Sound of Music; Diva, Priscilla; Judy Bernley, 9 to 5: The Musical; Paulette, Legally Blonde and Sister Mary Roberts, Sister Act Grand Opera House York. Orange Girl, Shout! The Mod Musical and Soloist, York Swings Against Cancer, Joseph Rowntree Theatre. Elsewhere Jo has played Kerry, Thick As A Brick (Original Cast); Ginger, Big Trouble in the Little Bedroom (Original Cast), Hull Truck Theatre. Jilly, The Jollies (Original Cast); Alter Ego, They’re Playing Our Song, Stephen Joseph Theatre. Jessica, The Merchant Of Venice, Northern Broadsides. Carrie, Gone With The Wind, West End; Arrietty, The Borrowers, Manchester Library Theatre. Esme, Owner/Occupier, Arcola Theatre London. TV and Radio Credits: Meredith, Lasses of Yorkshire. Donna, Barbara, Carlton TV. Anna, Strange Language; Chrissie, The Road to Hull, BBC Radio 4. Claire, Casualty, BBC. Janet, Two Pints of Lager, Pilot for BBC 3. Jo is also a regular voiceover artist for Dogeatcog Productions. Jo would love to say thanks to her family Karl, Geoff and LT for their support as always. She is thrilled to be working again with the fantastic York Stage and would like to thank them for the wonderful show opportunities and experience they have given not only herself but her son Louie who is is now a TV regular in the CBBC drama Jamie Johnson
DECLAN CHILDS
FAATEH SOHAIL
Michael Hobbs
Michael Hobbs
ETHAN MCDONALD Michael Hobbs
Buddy Jovie Walter Hobbs Emily Hobbs Michael Hobbs Santa Charlie Tiara Greenway Deb Chadwick Matthews Sam Security Guards Police Officers Sales Person Store Manager Department Store Santa Boy News Reporter Ensemble
DAMIEN POOLE SOPHIE HAMMOND STUART PIPER JO THEAKER ILDS FAATEH SOHAIL, DECLAN CH & ETHAN MCDONALD MARTIN ROWLEY STUART HUTCHINSON LAURA ASKEW CRAIG KIRBY KATIE MELIA JACK HOOPER STUART HUTCHINSON CARLY MORTON DGE DREW BENNETT & HARRY HO BY KIR IG CRA & MATTHEW CLARKE CARLY MORTON JACK HOOPER STUART HUTCHINSON HARRY KENNELLY & HARRISON TURNER HAZEL CARLY MORTON LAURA ASKEW DREW BENNETT MIA CAMPBELL MATTHEW CLARKE HARRY HODGE JACK HOOPER STUART HUTCHINSON KATIE MELIA CARLY MORTON KELLY STOCKER HANNAH WAKELAM ILANA WEETS
TEAM SPARKLE t), Wed 1, Fri 3 (Eve) Fri 26, Sat 27 (Eve), Sun 28 (Ma Y BECKETT Seniors: EMILY WALKER, LIL FT, LYDIA WHELLER, RO DC HO LLY Juniors: DAISY BRABBS, HO HARRISON TURNER HAZEL TEAM JINGLE (4pm) (Eve), Tues 30, Thurs 2, Fri 3 Thurs 25, Sat 27 (Mat), Sun 28 ON WINBOLT ROBERTS Seniors: LILY WALKER, DAISY , NBULL, SCARLET WHEELER TUR LL Juniors: MAISIE BEAVERS, NE HARRY KENNELLY
MD/Keys - STEPHEN HACKSHAW Keys 1 - SAM JOHNSON Keys 2 - BARBARA CHAN Reed 1 - KATIE WOOD
Reed 2 - JAMES BOYES Reed 3 - IAIN HARRISON Trumpet 1 - CIARAN DISTON Trumpet 2 - TOM HILL
ACT ONE Prelude Santa’s Snug Scene One The North Pole Happy All The Time Santa, Buddy and the Elv es Scene Two Santa’s Wo rkshop Scene Three Outside Santa’s Workshop World’s Greatest Dad Buddy and Ensemble Scene Four New York Scene Five Greenway Press Office In The Way Walter, De bs, Emily and Office Sta ff Scene Six Macy’s Depa rtment Store Sparklejollytwinklejing ly Buddy, Store Mana ger, Jovie and Store Sta Scene Seven The Hobb ff ’s Apartment I’ll Believe In You Em ily and Michael Scene Eight The Hobb ’s Apartment, the next In The Way (Reprise) morning Emily Scene Nine Greenway Press Office Just Like Him Buddy, Debs and the Office Sta ff Scene Ten Rockerfeller Centre A Christmas Song Bu ddy, Jovie and the Skate rs Scene Eleven Greenw ay Press Office Scene Twelve The Str eets of New York World’s Greatest Dad (Reprise) Buddy
ACT TWO Prologue Scene One Nobody Cares About Sa nta Clause Scene Two Never Fall In Love With An Elf Scene Three There Is A Santa Clause Scene Four The Story Of Buddy Th e Elf Scene Five Nobody Cares About Sa nta Clause (Reprise) Scene Six A Christmas Song (Repr ise) Epilogue Finale
Trombone 1 - ANNA MARSHALL Trombone 2 - JAMES STOCKDALE Violin 1 - EMILY JONES Violin 2 - CLAIRE JOWETT
Santa’s Snug China Town, New York Buddy and the Fake Sa nta’s Outside Tavern on the Gr een Jovie The Hobb’s Apartment Emily and Michael Greenway Press Office Walter, Buddy, Greenw ay and Office Staff Central Park Santa Outskirts of Central Pa rk Jovie, Buddy and Comp any The North Pole Company
Cello - LUCY MCLUCKIE Bass - RYAN GRIFFITHS Drums - SAM BOYES Percussion - DAN JOHNSTONE
MARTIN ROWLEY BEM Santa
CRAIG KIRBY
Theatre Credits: For York Stage Jim, Brassed Off, Grand Opera House; Monsignor, Sister Act, Grand Opera House; Various, Spend Spend Spend, Theatre@41. Elsewhere Oliver Kilbourn, The Pitmen Painters, Joseph Rowntree Theatre; The Verger, Dad’s Army, Theatre@41.
Theatre Credits: For York Stage, Bob, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Grand Opera House York. Elsewhere Craig has played Jud Fry, Oklahoma; Tevye, Fiddler on the Roof. Narrator, Into the Woods, Grand Opera House York; Hospital Ghost, Ghost and Narrator, Penny Millionaire, Joseph Rowntree Theatre. Dr Swaby, Betty Blue Eyes, Friargate Studio. Sam Byck, Assassins; Judge Turpin, Sweeney Todd and Tom Oakley, Goodnight Mr Tom, Theatre@41.
Television Credits: Songs of Praise, BBC Radio Credits: Jonathan Cowap Show, Newspaper Reviewer, BBC Radio York. After a break from theatre to concentrate on his work as a City of York Councillor, Martin is delighted to return in the role of Santa with York Stage. A big thank you to his wife Elizabeth for her encouragement and support. A huge thank you to you the audience for coming to see this wonderful show.
Greenway
Directing Credits: Chess, Joseph Rowntree Theatre. Putting it Together (UK Amateur Premiere), Parade, York College. Craig has performed in and directed shows around the country since his youth. His love of performing started off in his home of South Wales and then continued when he moved to Edinburgh (where he studied to become a vet), following him to Essex, and then here in York.
KATIE MELIA
JACK HOOPER
Debs
Store Manager Chadwick (US Buddy)
Training: Katie trained with a professional physical theatre company in Utrecht called DogTroep Theatre Credits: For York Stage, Shrek, York Grand Opera House. Elsewhere Fanny Brice, Funnygirl, Theatre@41 Monkgate; Penny Lou Pingleton, Hairspray, Leeds Grand Theatre; Phyllis Dale, 42nd Street, Leeds Grand Theatre; Alice, The Addams Family, York Grand Opera House; Tessie Tulsa, Gypsy, York Grand Opera House; Lady Jacqui, Me and My Girl, York Grand Opera House; Patsy, Crazy For You, York Theatre Royal; Liesl, The Sound of Music, York Theatre Royal Katie is a mum to two young children so has loved the opportunity to get back on stage. She got the bug for the theatre at a young age when she was lucky enough to perform in several professional shows like Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat as well as The Demon Headmaster and Wayne Sleep showcases. She thanks her training at Kirkham Henry Performing Arts for those opportunities.
CARLY MORTON Sam, Sales Person, News Reporter (US Jovie) Training: Samantha Moore Theatre Arts where she won numerous accolades including British Tap, Modern & Song & Dance Champion.
Training - The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) Theatre Credits: For York Stage Adrian/Wise Frankincense, The Flint Street Nativity, Theatre@41, York; Big Bad Wolf, Shrek the Musical, The Grand Opera House, York. Elsewhere Peter, Company, The Paul McCartney Auditorium, Liverpool; Ernst, Spring Awakening, The Place, Bedford; Cain/Japheth, Children of Eden, The Place, Bedford; Riff, West Side Story, Milton Keynes Theatre.
STUART HUTCHINSON Charlie, Matthews Theatre Credits: For York Stage, Pig, Pied Piper, Dragon Puppeteer, Shrek the Musical, Elsewhere Cosmo Brown, Singin’ in the Rain, Theatre Royal Wakefield; Manfred, Sunset Boulevard, Yeadon Town Hall; Jerry Travers, Top Hat, The Royal Hall; Gilbert Chilvers, Betty Blue Eyes, Sir Robin, Spamalot, Yeadon Town Hall; Drake, Annie, TJ, Sister Act, Pursar, Anything Goes, Billy, 42nd Street, Scarecrow, The Wizard of Oz, Kipps, Half a Sixpence, Ambrose, Hello Dolly!, Edwin, Summer Holiday, Frank, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Gerald, Me and My Girl, Tommy, Annie Get Your Gun, Harrogate Theatre & Ensemble in many others.
Theatre Credits: For York Stage, Annelle, Steel Magnolias, Theatre@41. Fairy God Mother, Shrek the Musical and Elsa, The Sound of Music, Grand Opera House York. Elsewhere Carly has played Louise, Gypsy; Eliza Doolittle, My Fair Lady; Fantine, Les Miserables. Carly has also been in many national and international tours with show bands and top-quality variety acts.
Director/Choreography credits: Sunset Boulevard (BrassNeck Theatre), Walt and Friends, Showtime 2015 and In The Mood (HOPS)
TV Credits: Winner on Talent Of Tomorrow, ITV.
‘I hope you enjoy Elf as much as we have rehearsing for it’.
When not on stage, Stuart works in Marketing and runs Marmaduke Designs which specialises in print and digital graphic design for Theatre and the Arts.
LAURA ASKEW
LILY BECKETT
DREW BENNETT
MIA CAMPBELL
MATTHEW CLARKE
HARRY HODGE
KELLY STOCKER
HANNAH WAKELAM
EMILY WALKER
LILY WALKER
ILANA WEETS
DAISY WINBOLT-ROBERTSON
DAISY BRABBS
HOLLY HODCROFT
MAISIE BEAVERS
HARRISON TURNER HAZEL
SCARLET WHEELER
LYDIA WHELLER
NELL TURNBULL
HARRY KENNELLY
Theatre Manager CLARE O’CONNOR
Marketing Officer CAROLINE USHER COX
Technical & Buildings Manager JOE STRANGE
Marketing & Communications Assistant LIZA WALSH
Stage Manager LISA CAMERON
Customer Experience Manager NIC MYERS
Chief LX MAGNUS LESLIE
Deputy Customer Experience Manager RACHEL MACKEAN
Maintenance & Buildings Assistant ANDY WATSON
Ticketing & Sales Managers BETH SCOTT
Marketing & Communications Manager RACHEL ALEXANDER-HILL
Deputy Ticketing & Sales Managers LIZZIE MACKRIELL & LOUISE STOCKER
Communications Officer CELESTINE DUBRUEL
NIK BRIGGS
EMILY TAYLOR
Director/Producer
Choreographer
Training: Bretton Hall and the Royal Academy of Music Directing/Producing Credits: Nik has been the Artistic Director and Producer for York Stage for nine years now, in that time he has directed and produced many shows at venues across the city including Matilda the Musical Jr, Songs from the Settee: Live on Stage, Jack and the Beanstalk (Pandemic Panto 2020), Jukebox Diva’s @ Rowntree Park, York Stage @ Rowntree Park, Steel Magnolias, The Flint Street Nativity, Disney’s Aladdin Jr, Twilight Robbery, The Sound of Music, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Spend Spend Spend, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Rock of Ages, Dolly Parton’s 9-5, Ghost the Musical, Legally Blonde, Bugsy Malone, Spring Awakening, Sister Act and Shout the Mod Musical. As Producer for York Stage, Nik has brought Shrek the Musical, Phantom of the Opera and Hairspray to the city. Aside from York Stage Nik has directed A Cream Cracker Under the Settee, Little Voice, Be My Baby, Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens, Fame and Grease. Nik’s next projects include Calendar Girls The Musical here at the Grand Opera House in April next year and later in 2022 Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame and Kinky Boots. Theatre Credits: Nik last took to the stage as Shrek here at the Grand Opera House in 2019 as part of York Stage’s production. Previously with York Stage he has played Daddy Warbucks, Annie; Phil, Brassed Off, Adult Man, Spring Awakening, Pilate, Jesus Christ Superstar, Chuck, Footloose, Dave, Full Monty and Khassogghi, We Will Rock You. Lord, 40 Years On and Dave, Me as a Penguin, York Theatre Royal. Soloist, Elton John and Ray Cooper in Concert, Royal Albert Hall; Rowan’s Dad, X the Musical, Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Nik has also played Bobby in Company and Captain Hook in Peter Pan here in York.
STEPHEN HACKSHAW Musical Director
Training: Performers College, Professional Dance and Musical Theatre Choreography Credits: For York Stage, Disney’s Aladdin Jr and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Joseph Rowntree Theatre. Elsewhere Best of Boybands and Who Loves You, A tribute to the Jersey Boys, UK tour; Snow White and the Seven Dwarves 2019/20, Cinderella 2018/19, Beauty and the Beast 2017/18, Aladdin 2016/17, Cinderella 2015/16, Jack and The Beanstalk 2014/15 and Sleeping Beauty 2013/14, Grand Opera House York. Performance Credits: For York Stage Dance Captain/Assistant Choreographer Jack and The Beanstalk, Choreographer Gary Lloyd. Elsewhere Featured Dancer, Who Did She Marry?, Leon Winteringham Music Video; Conservative Party Summer Ball; Dancer, Madame Tussaud’s London; Line Captain, P&O Australia, Grayboy Entertainment; Dancer, Courtney Act, Sydney Mardi Gras; Dancer, Cinderella, Paul Holman Associates; Dance Captain and Assistant Choreographer, 8 Pantomimes for New Pantomime Productions; Ensemble and Choreographer, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves 2019/20, Cinderella 2018/19, Beauty and the Beast 2017/18, Aladdin 2016/17, Grand Opera House York; Ultimate Dua Lipa, UK tour; Rule The World, UK and International tour: Choreographer Adam Lyons; Re-Take That, UK tour; Production Dancer, Gravity Live; Jessie Live, Jessie J Tribute, UK Tour; Posh Spice, Spice Girlz, Barcelona; MSC Cruises, South Africa; Dance Fever, Birmingham ICC; Kings and Queens, Solverde Casino Villamoura; Voyages of Discovery Cruises; Backing Dancer, Various Production Shows, I-Stage Group including Sunderland Airshow. Emily currently does a lot of choreography for companies and colleges across the North of England and is often brought in to provide workshops for students hoping to make a career in the Performing Arts industry.
DANIEL STEPHENSON Production Manager
Training: BA(Hons) Music, Leeds University
Training: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
Credits Include: As Musical Director for York Stage, Songs from the Settee: Live on Stage, Theatre@41; Shrek the Musical, The Best of YSM Concert, Rock of Ages, Dolly Parton’s 9-5, Ghost the Musical, Legally Blonde and Sister Act, Grand Opera House York; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Shout!, Joseph Rowntree Theatre.
Credits Include: For York Stage, Jukebox Diva’s and York Stage@Rowntree Park, Rowntree Park Amphitheatre; Shrek the Musical, The Sound Of Music, The Best of YSM Concert, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Rock of Ages, Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5, Ghost The Musical, Legally Blonde, Hairspray, Grand Opera House York. Elsewhere Oklahoma, Our House, ATG. Aladdin, Three Bears Productions. Chicago, Ice Games, Blue Planet, How to train your Dragon On Ice, Saturday Night Fever, In the Air, Encore an Ice Spectacular, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. York Mystery Plays, York Minster. Footloose, ATG and Mark Goucher.
Elsewhere as Musical Director; Songs for a New World and Parade, West Sussex County Youth Theatre. As Musical Arranger/Composer, The Nativity, The Hub; The Yellow Wallpaper, Oakwood Films. Stephen says it has been fantastic to work on Elf for the last few months after a long time away from the rehearsal room. The cast have had to work incredibly hard to bring together the performances you will witness on stage and have done so with real patience and determination - ‘best of luck to all’!
Dan has worked with York Stage for over 10 years, stage managing various shows inbetween his professional theatre career. Dan trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and after working at the Grand Opera House in York, moved over to the USA, where his life at sea began with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Dan was the stage and Production Manager onboard what was the worlds largest cruise ship afloat, The Allure of the Seas, and managed broadway style entertainment onboard for 5 years. After seeing the sights the world has to offer, Dan traded in his sea legs and returned back to York where he continues to work within the entertainment industry.
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