A Cast Pantomime Created by Matthew Bugg and Kully Thiarai Designed by Ali Allen Movement by Lucy Hind
SLEEPING BEAUTY 2015 ON SALE NOW!
Meeting the family…
Kully Thiarai Director of Cast
There are some beautiful, poignant moments, and also some real laugh-out-loud fun sequences.
Aladdin’s mum Widow Twanky and brother Wishee Washee tell us about laundry life and their own three wishes. How’s your search for a husband going, Widow Twanky? Widow Twanky: Well, it’s been very difficult since I lost my husband many years ago. He accidentally fell into a barrel of varnish. I’m sorry to say that he had a very sticky end, but he had a lovely finish. I’ve been on DesperateDoncastistanDating. com. I met a chap the other night who had lovely long hair all down his back. None on his head, just down his back. What about the Chief of Police? Do you like him? WT: I do like a man in uniform. I’m not bothered whether it’s a policeman or the ice-cream man, really. At least that way I get a Mr Whippy. Are you still allergic to being poor?
Kully Thiarai, tells us why Aladdin will be a truly magical experience for everyone. Why have you decided to stage Aladdin this year? It seemed to be a really good, strong piece to build upon last year’s Cinderella. There’s something lovely about having your wishes come true, the notion of the genie being able to give you something that you don’t have. Aladdin’s family is poor, and we have feisty female parts for both Princess Jasmine and our Genie, so I feel that there’s some social comment there about the world that we live in and the choices that we can make. It’s about integrity, keeping your promises and not betraying family and friends – really universal messages. Some of the Cinderella cast members are returning – why have you asked them back? It’s really nice to build on tradition. Wishee Washee is Brett Lee Roberts who was our Buttons last year and everybody fell in love with him. Sara Sadeghi, who is Princess Jasmine, was our Cinderella, so we’re building that continuity. They’re great performers and feel part of the Cast family now. There’s a good mix of pop songs in Aladdin, with hits such as ‘Happy’, plus some Abba for the grown-ups… Yes, and Widow Twanky has a lot of liners for the older audiences that are a bit risqué, as well as silly visual gags. It’s going to be a really fun, delightful and energetic show.
Why did you decide to have all the music performed live? We’re all so used to seeing a performance with a reworked soundtrack that we forget how talented actor musicians are; Aladdin is a wonderful opportunity to showcase that talent but also to hear what live music really sounds like. Do you have a favourite part of the story? There are some beautiful, poignant moments, and also some real laugh-out-loud fun sequences. When we did the first read-through, everyone was just laughing, so I feel very excited about it all. Looking back since Cast opened, what have been the highlights for you? There are so many. The thing that really stands out for me is the diversity of audiences and how much they have embraced the diversity of the programme. It’s been wonderful. Doncaster has really taken Cast to its heart.
WT: Yes, it’s terrible, every – ACHOOO!! – time I think about it! And I keep losing my hanky, but I’m hoping that the girls and boys will be able to help me with that. Where do you usually keep it? WT: Where do I keep it, Wishee Washee? Wishee Washee: We’ve told her to put it up her sleeve, but she keeps forgetting. WT: Oh, that’s right! It’s up my sleeve, would you believe?
If you had your own genie like Aladdin, what would you wish for? WT: I’d wish for loads of money and for that lovely man from ‘The Great British Bake Off’, Paul Hollywood, to be my personal chef. And I’d wish for a dozen more wishes. Not to be greedy. WW: I’d wish for a helper, to help me in the laundry, because Mum’s always making me work, and I don’t like it. It’s boring and all the pants are a bit whiffy. Are you hoping to meet anyone at Princess Jasmine’s Pick a Prince Party? WT: I might have my eye on the Sultan. I’ve seen pictures of him and he’s a fine figure of a man. He has stature. And a lot of money. WW: I’m just there to have a dance. Throw some shapes, bust some moves, do a bit of the hokey-cokey. What are you asking Santa for this Christmas? WW: A scooter, so I can get about a bit quicker with the washing and spend more time playing. WT: Some soap powder, to get the stains out of the people of Doncastistan’s whiffy Y-fronts. Some of it arrives by itself, it’s that filthy. It just wanders up here. Is there anything else you’d like to say to the audience? WT: I’m very, very excited about making lots of new friends in Doncastistan. We’re looking forward to meeting all of them. WW: And we hope that they’re very loud!
Widow Twanky’s favourite Christmas jokes
Who is Santa's favorite singer? Elf-is Presley!
Why did Santa's helper see the doctor?
Because he had low "elf" esteem!
What do you get if you cross Santa with a duck?
A Christmas Quacker!
What do you get if Santa goes down the chimney when a fire is lit? Krisp Kringle!
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Cast • Aladdin
Cast • Aladdin
3
A magic carpet ride through Doncastistan…
3 2
The gen boostersie puts rocket carpet on your magic GO FORW ARD 3 S PACES
Aladdin escap e carpet and is s the enchanted cave on h fr is Jasmine befor antically trying to get back magic e Can you help the Pick–a–Prince party e to Princess n h to play this ga im! You will need a dice a ds. nd counters me.
30 1 3 1 29 4 5 3 2 2 8 8 7 33 34 6 9 10 3 5 11 7 2 15 36 13 14 12 37 16 26 3 8 7 1 19 9 18 3 2 5 4 2 20 21 22 23 40 You've found
A desert storm approaches GO BACK 2 SPACES
d anky an the w T w o id g Dodge WWashee washin Wishee oshest pants S towns p WARD 2 SPACE GO FOR
The Chie chasing f of Police is GO FORWyou! ARD 1 S PACE
Uncle Abanazar and his men nearly catch you! GO BACK 2 SPACES
The Christmas flying machine gives you a helping hand GO FORWARD 2 SPACES
palace, e h t o t t o You’ve g However you hooray! ide to have a now dec t the party boogie aTURN MISS A
Widow Twanky grabs you and makes you work at the laundry MISS A TURN
Stop off and have one of The Sultan’s lovely homemade cakes MISS A TURN
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Cast • Aladdin
PRINCESS JASMINE Cast • Cinderella
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The
Once upon a time... much of the onstage action given over to mime by Harlequin and Pierrot, staple characters in early panto. Aladdin’s mother did make an appearance, but she was yet to be called Widow Twanky. Depicted as a tailor’s widow at first, she became a washerwoman from 1844, leading to the now-traditional comic scenes in her laundry. Different 19th-century scriptwriters gave her a host of ‘Chinese’ names – Ching Mustapha, Wee-Ping and Chow-Chow – until in 1861, pantomime king Henry James Byron named her ‘Twankay’, after an inferior type of green tea.
We all know the Aladdin story, but where it comes from is as shrouded in mystery as the origin of his magic lamp. The tale familiar today is part of an Arabic collection called The One Thousand and One Nights, also known as The Arabian Nights. Dating back to before 1000 AD, this was the original cliffhanger read. The tales within were all presented as a series of stories – or sometimes stories-within-stories – told by a clever young woman, Scheherazade, to her husband, the king, every night. Desperate to know what happened next, he would always delay his original plan of executing her in the morning. Over the years Scheherazade’s life-saving stock of yarns grew to include ones from many times and places: India, Syria, Egypt and Persia (now Iran). Other well-known tales, such as Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and the voyages of Sinbad can also be found within its pages. Yet Aladdin didn’t appear there until a French man, Antoine Galland, translated the book in the early 18th century and added in a few ‘nights’ of his own. Galland’s diary says that he heard the tale from a Syrian storyteller, but it’s also possible that he could have invented it himself. Another puzzle is why a story filled with Middle Eastern elements – from character names to the Genie, an idea from Islamic mythology – appears to be originally set in China. One theory is that the location is actually Central Asia, whose culture contains both Muslim and Chinese influences. Another clue is that the original version of uncle Abanazar is a sorcerer from the Maghreb region of north-west Africa. To an Arabic audience 6
Cast • Aladdin
story
Aladdin first became a pantomime in 1788, when John O’Keefe presented The Pantomime of Aladdin, or the Wonderful Lamp at Covent Garden’s Theatre Royal. this would have represented the remote west; placing Aladdin in the even more distant Far East would show how far the villain was prepared to travel in order to get his hands on the lamp. Aladdin first became a pantomime in 1788, when John O’Keefe presented The Pantomime of Aladdin, or the Wonderful Lamp at Covent Garden’s Theatre Royal. The show boasted music and songs but would have seemed odd to audiences today, with
The Victorians loved all things Oriental, and the exotic setting and magical events in Aladdin gave theatres the chance to show off their most colourful costumes, lavish dance scenes and spectacular special effects. Unsurprisingly, the story’s popularity continued with the birth of cinema. George Albert Smith made a version in 1898, just three years after the brothers Lumière had held their pioneering moving picture screenings. His was the first of countless more, yet as with Snow White, Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, it’s Disney’s version that has captured audiences’ imaginations in recent years. As well as altering the princess’s name from Badroulbadour to the slightly catchier Jasmine, their 1992 Aladdin owes some of its massive success to the late Robin Williams’ hyperactive performance as the voice of the wise-cracking Genie, a part written specially for him. Disney’s animation also introduced the theme of Aladdin’s promise to free the Genie and his need to be true to himself – a twist that keeps this tale of wishes granted alive in people’s hearts today. Photos: Original design from William Wilhelm for Aladdin at Drury Lane in 1885 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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FRIDAY 5 DECEMBER 2014 – SATURDAY 3 JANUARY 2015
Cast
Ensemble
George Bray Chief of Police Patrick Bridgman The Sultan Danny Burns Uncle Abanazar Clara Darcy The Genie Alan French Widow Twanky Stephanine McConville Aladdin Brett Lee Roberts Wishee Washee Sara Sadeghi Princess Jasmine Kully Thiarai Director Matthew Bugg and Tobias Oliver Writers Ali Allen Designer Lucy Hind Movement Director Matthew Bugg Musical Director
Created by Matthew Bugg and Kully Thiarai
Production team
Act one
Act two
In Doncastistan’s Old Market Square we meet Aladdin, his mum, Widow Twanky, and younger brother Wishee Washee. It’s a busy time at their laundry as everyone wants their poshest pants cleaned in time for the Pick a Prince party at the Palace. Widow Twanky is after a new husband: will the young Chief of Police fall for her sizeable charms? When beautiful Princess Jasmine enters with her father, the Sultan, Aladdin is entranced – and she thinks he’s not bad, either. Jasmine invites everyone to the Pick a Prince party, as she has to find a husband before she can become Queen. But Aladdin is poor, and the law says only a Prince can ask for her hand in marriage.
At the Pick a Prince Party, Princess Jasmine meets a host of eligible Princes but only has eyes for Aladdin, whilst Widow Twanky and the Sultan bond over their love of baked goods. When Abanazar steals the magic lamp and demands his own wishes, it looks as though Jasmine may have to marry him instead. Luckily she has a clever plan to win back both the lamp and Aladdin, with help from Widow Twanky and Wishee Washee. But will a promise that Aladdin made to the Genie mean giving up the chance to marry his princess?
Evil Uncle Abanazar persuades Aladdin to visit Jasmine and declare his love, but it’s all part of a dastardly plan to get hold of a magic lamp that will win Jasmine for himself. Aladdin agrees to help Abanazar search for the lamp in a desert cave, little knowing the full extent of his uncle’s scheming. Trapped in the treasure-filled cave, he accidentally summons the Genie, who grants him three wishes. His first – to become a Prince!
Ali Allen Scenic Artist and Prop Maker Lauren Barclay Company Stage Manager Jessica Bull Costume Assistant Michael Cook Production Assistant Olivia Dudley Deputy Stage Manager Chris Duffelen Milliner Becky Graham Wardrobe Supervisor Ellanna Jennings Costume Student Placement Michael Lynch Trainee Assistant Stage Manager Callum McRobbie Sound Designer Selina Nightingale Costume Maker Naomi Parker Prop Costume Maker Stephanie Pasiewicz Scenic Artist Michelle Roberts Running Wardrobe Charlotte Stanley Prop Maker Sheryl Tattersall Costume Maker Lauren Townsend Company Stage Management Intern Alastair West Lighting Designer Stuart West Production Manager Sarah White Costume Maker Francesca Wilkinson Costume Assistant
Leah Barker Charlotte Bleything Darcy Boucher Alicia Brannick Charlotte Gaylor Millie Hunsley Amy Jones Ellie Kerry Katie Kynaston Jade Lee Michael Lynch Cyana Marcus Sophie Marsh Megan Marshall Libby Morgan Isabelle Nicholl-Marshall Alex Oliver Abigail Orwin Rebekah Petrillo Mica Skidmore Lily Watson Eleri Williams
Aladdin rehearsal sketches by local artist, Terry Chipp 8
Cast • Aladdin
Cast • Aladdin
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The cast George Bray
Chief of Police
George began his training at the Thornton Academy of Dance in his hometown of Middlesbrough before studying musical theatre at the Urdang Academy, London. Theatre credits: 42nd Street (UK Tour); Jesus Christ Superstar (World Arena Tour). Credits whilst training: Carousel (David Erik/Kelly Rainford); Merrily We Roll Along (Guy Unsworth/Matt Cole); Assassins (Michael Howcroft/Jenny Arnold) and Songs for a New World (Nikolai Foster/Cressida Carre).
Patrick Bridgman The Sultan
Patrick has appeared in several pantos at Oldham Coliseum (but never in 'Aladdin'!) and has spent most of 2014 touring America and Canada in The Snail and the Whale (Tall Stories Theatre Company), which has also toured extensively in the UK. Previous theatrical travels have taken him to other parts of Europe and Asia. Patrick has worked with various companies in his home region, the North-West, including Manchester Royal Exchange, Lancaster Dukes Playhouse and two repertory seasons at Keswick's Theatre by the Lake. For Sheffield's Compass Theatre Company he performed in She Stoops To Conquer and Twelfth Night. TV appearances include several on Emmerdale and Coronation Street.
Danny Burns
Uncle Abanazar
Theatre credits: Alan Bennett’s People (National Theatre UK tour); The Habit of Art (National Theatre – including UK tour); The Sound of Music (London Palladium); Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre); Dick Whittington (New Wolsey Theatre); War of the Roses (Northern Broadsides); Strangers on a Train, Sailor Beware!, Ghosts (all for Theatre by The Lake); The Snow Queen (Duke’s Lancaster) and Storm (Contact Theatre, Manchester). TV Credits Cilla (ITV); Downton Abbey (ITV); Casualty (BBC TV); Eleventh Hour (Granada TV) and Coronation Street (ITV).
Clara Darcy
The Genie
Alan French
Widow Twanky
Stephanine McConville Aladdin
Alan has worked as an actor, director and stand-up comic since the mid-nineties.
Stephanine trained at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London.
Panto Dames credits: Robin Hood (Durham Gala); Aladdin (Salisbury Playhouse); Jack and the Beanstalk (Oxford Playhouse) and Cinderella (Preston, Grimsby and Southport).
Theatre credits: Alice in Wonderland (Must Opera House, Egypt); Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (UK Tour); Potters Theatre Company and Belinda King Creative Productions. Stephanie has also recorded for Universal Recording Studios on the concept CD of 1916: The Musical.
Theatre credits: Drama Queen (Liverpool Unity); Exit Salford (Manchester Library Theatre); Non-Scene (Edinburgh); The Picture of Doreen (Contact Theatre Manchester); Fear of Fanny (Tour); Sleuth (Leeds Library Theatre) and To Be Continued (Bolton Octagon).
Credits whilst training: Into the Woods; Hagridden; Woyzeck; A Woman Alone and A Streetcar named Desire.
TV credits: All At Sea; Death Comes to Pemberley; The 4 O’Clock Club; The Syndicate; Hollyoaks; Waterloo Road; Coronation Street and Emmerdale. Feature films credits: Instinct, Before Dawn and Soldiers Of The Damned (general cinema release 2015)
Brett Lee Roberts Wishee Washee
Clara trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.
Brett trained at the Birmingham School of Acting.
Theatre credits: Propaganda Swing (Nottingham Playhouse / Coventry Belgrade); Brassed Off (York Theatre Royal and national tour); Robin Hood, The Wizard of Oz, Sweeney Todd, David Copperfield (all for Bolton Octagon); Chicago, Brassed Off, Martha, Josie and the Chinese Elvis, Jack and the Beanstalk (Oldham Coliseum); We Love You City (Coventry Belgrade); The Government Inspector, Heidi – A Goat’s Tale (Northern Broadsides), The Hired Man (TMA Award Winner: ‘Best Performance in a Musical’ – Bolton Octagon); The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (New Vic, Stoke); Return to the Forbidden Planet (Oldham Coliseum / Harrogate Theatre); The Right Ballerina (Library Theatre/Lowery) and The Taming of the Shrew (Oddsocks Productions).
Theatre credits: An August Bank Holiday Lark (Northern Broadsides); 12 Miles North of Sheffield (Paines Plough Roundabout Festival); The Glee Club and Cinderella (Cast); The Plumber’s Apprentice / Loaded (The Library Theatre Company); Should Love Hurt This Much? (Octagon Theatre Bolton); Enter Stage Write (North West Playwrights / The Dukes Theatre); Drop Out (Oldham Coliseum); Much Ado About Nothing, The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice (Sheringham Little Theatre); Cinderella (Hertford Theatre) and Dick Whittington (Gorleston Pavilion Theatre). Brett returns to Cast after having appeared in The Glee Club and as Buttons in Cinderella.
Sara Sadeghi
Princess Jasmine
Based in Manchester, Sara graduated from The Arden School of Theatre. Theatre credits: Hunger for Trade (Royal Exchange Studio); Cinderella (Cast); One Play One Day (OPOD Productions); JB Shorts 9 (RealLife Theatre Co.); All Our Daughters (New Vic, Stoke), Songs from the Bridgewater Canal (The Lowry) and The Incredible Journey (Esk Valley Tour). TV credits: Ordinary Lies (Red Productions/BBC) and Coronation Street (ITV). Radio credits: Dog Dazed Afternoon and The Granny Killers (Radio 4). Sara returns to Cast having played the title role in Cinderella.
Television credits: Eric and Ernie (BBC), Emmerdale, The Royal (ITV) and Nightmare in Suburbia (Sky). 10
Cast • Aladdin
Cast • Aladdin
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Production team Director
She has previously led Contact Theatre, Manchester, Leicester Haymarket Theatre, Theatre Writing Partnership, and Red Ladder Theatre Company, Leeds as Artistic Director and CEO. She has extensive experience of commissioning, producing and directing work nationally and internationally. Kully has been involved in the performing arts for over 20 years working in theatre, television and radio. Her theatre directing credits include: Kes and Cinderella (Cast); Obama The Mamba by Kevin Fegan, (nominated for two Manchester Theatre Awards – Best Play and Best Actor 2012); Mandala,
Movement Director Lucy trained at Rhodes University, South Africa and currently works as a choreographer and movement director. She is also a Selector for the National Student Drama Festival.
Kully Thiarai Kully took up post as director of Cast in 2012 and has been responsible for the artistic and strategic vision of the new venue. Prior to that she was an Independent Theatre Director and Arts Consultant for several years undertaking a diverse range of creative and cultural projects.
Lucy Hind
a large scale outdoor arts spectacular for the Cultural Olympiad; As The World Tipped by Wired Aerial Theatre, which opened the Sydney Festival in 2012; Soul Exchange (NTW10), created with the communities of Butetown, Cardiff as part of the launch year for National Theatre Wales and Digital Tea Dance for Bangor University. Other productions include: Do We Ever See Grace? by Noel Greig; Salaam – devised show with young Muslim men; Beautiful Thing by Jonathan Harvey; Bogus Woman by Kay Adshead (London, UK, Australia, New York); The Fortune Club and Unsuitable Girls by Dolly Dhingra (London, Leicester); Oscar Wilde’s The Happy Prince; Athol Fugard’s Master Harold and the Boys, Captured Live!, West Side Story, The Witches, Bollywood Jane, Plague of Innocence and Death of a Salesman.
Lucy is an Associate Artist of Slung Low, which specialises in performances for audiences outside conventional theatre spaces, with whom she choreographed the award-winning 'Blood and Chocolate' in 2013 and The White Whale in 2014. Recent credits include: Playing For Time (Sheffield Theatres); The House That Will Not Stand (Tricycle Theatre); Kes (Cast);
Callum McRobbie Sound Designer
Callum studied at the University Centre Doncaster graduating with a 2:1 B.A. Hons in Creative Music Technology (Music Production). Working as a technician at Doncaster Civic Theatre before moving to Cast. Callum’s diverse career includes working for various production companies and international artists such as; Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry; Simple Minds; Glamour of the Kill; The Loveable Rogues; Lee ‘Memphis’ King; One Night of Elvis; Motown’s Greatest Hits: ‘How Sweet It Is’; and The Songs of Sister Act and Music Hall Tavern.
Matthew Bugg
Twelfth Night (Sheffield Theatres); The Jacobin (Buxton Arts Festival); Enjoy (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Sheffield People’s Theatre (Sheffield Theatres); Moon Tiger (Bath Theatre Royal); Refugee Boy (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Jack and The Giant (The Theatre, Chipping Norton); Love Your Soldiers (Sheffield Crucible); Stuart: A Life Backwards (Hightide); Manchester Sound: The Massacre (Library Theatre); This is My Family (Sheffield Theatres); Refugee Boy (West Yorkshire Playhouse) and The Wind in the Willows (West Yorkshire Playhouse).
Callum has worked on A/V installations and implemented audio system designs for corporate events ranging from UCAS (London Earls Court); The Meadowhall Retail Awards; The Archbishop of York’s Diamond Jubilee: ‘Party At The Palace!’; and various nightclubs across the country. Callum has also worked as a sound engineer and designer for Spillers Pantomimes; David Lee Pantomimes; Pantoni Productions; Productions of Kiss Me Kate; The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe; Peter Pan and Beyond the Barricade.
Writer and Musical Director Matthew originally trained as a dancer but after suffering a serious injury to his shoulder decided to concentrate on his other passion, music. He studied music composition at the University of Birmingham, being awarded the Barber Scholarship and winning the Roland Gregory Prize. He got his first professional job as musical director at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester before even graduating. Matthew has since gone on to work at most of the UK’s major theatres and in the West End as composer, sound designer and choreographer. West End and UK tour credits: Volcano; Three Men in a Boat; The Secret of Sherlock Holmes; The Handyman; Barefoot in
the Park; Quartet; Hound of the Baskervilles; My Brilliant Divorce; All Quiet on the Western Front; Some Like it Hotter; Government Inspector; The Canterbury Tales and Cirque Beserk. He is also resident composer for the Agatha Christie Company. His other work includes: Cinderella (Cast); Arcadia, The League of Youth, To Reach the Clouds, Polygraph (Nottingham Playhouse); The Father (Belgrade Theatre); And Then the Dark, Family Affair, Double Indemnity and The Glass Menagerie (New Wolsey Theatre). Matthew is also the writer and composer of the original British musical Miss Nightingale that has completed three smash-hit UK tours, including a run at London’s Leicester Square Theatre.
Alastair West Lighting Designer
Alastair graduated from Bretton Hall in 2004 with a degree in Performance Design and Production where he specialised in lighting design. Beginning his career working for Sheffield Theatres Lighting Department, Alastair has since moved on to work for RSC and various touring musical productions. He is currently Head of Lighting at Northern Ballet.
Design credits: Giselle, I Got Rhythm, Ugly Duckling, Three Little Pigs, Elves and the Shoemaker, Christmas Carol (Northern Ballet). Project 1, Luminous Junc·ture and The Architect (for Choreographer Kenneth Tindall); Puzzle Women (Dead Ernest); The Indian Boy (RSC Cube Season) and La Ronde (Bolt productions). Alastair returns to Cast after lighting last year’s production of Cinderella.
Stuart West
Production Manager
Ali Allen Designer
Ali’s work has extended over a wide variety of areas including carnival, sculpture, pantomime, opera, ballet and outdoor theatre projects. Her work in carnival has taken her to Trinidad and Brooklyn, and she has designed for theatre in Singapore, Moscow and Berlin. Musical credits: Chicago, Chess and Hairspray (Aberystwyth Arts Centre). Theatre credits: Madame Butterfly, Wuthering Heights and Dracula (Northern Ballet). Ali has designed fifteen shows for 12
Cast • Aladdin
Red Ladder Theatre Company including Where’s Vietnam?, Riot, Rebellion and Bloody Insurrection, Sex, Docks & Rock ‘n’ Roll and Big Society. As well as for Pilot Theatre in Rumblefish, Bloodtide, The Twits, Fungus the Bogeyman and Lord of the Flies. Other credits include: Bollywood Jane (Leicester Haymarket); Kes and Brassed Off (Lawrence Batley Theatre Huddersfield); Look Back in Anger (Harrogate Theatre); Camel Station and The Little Mermaid (Dundee Rep).
Stuart has been working in the entertainment industry for 17 years, 13 of which Stuart has worked as a freelance lighting designer/programmer, production manager/electrician and project manager.
Lighting design credits: The Importance of Being Earnest, The Musical (Theatre Royal Windsor and Bill Kenwright Ltd); Nation’s Best Am Dram, First Round Performances (Sky Arts HD at Royal & Derngate) amongst others.
Stuart’s career has been a combination of residency and freelance production work, which has given him a wide variety of experience in all forms of live performance from plays and musicals to music festivals and corporate events, and recently television. Stuart is currently Head of Production at Cast, and is delighted to be a part of the production team on Cast’s second Christmas production. He was previously Head of Lighting and Sound at Royal and Derngate in Northampton.
Production credits: Kes and Cinderella, (Cast, Production Manager); The Glee Club (Cast, Assistant Production Manager); This Morning, (ITV Studios, Operator/ Programmer); Crackers – Large scale fireworks/ pyrotechnics/projection performance art; The World Famous (Assistant Production Manager/Production Electrician) amongst others. Cast • Aladdin
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Homebuyers at The Gables get set for their first Christmas
celebrate this
A host of new homeowners will be celebrating their first Christmas in a brand new home having settled into The Gables, a desirable development of 54 one and two bedroom properties in the heart of Doncaster’s cultural and civic quarter. Catherine Lawson, a retired former head-teacher who was born and raised in Doncaster, was the first savvy purchaser to snap up a home at the scheme, located a short walk from Doncaster town centre. Currently renting the property to her grand-daughter who is training to be a teacher nearby Catherine is a regular guest at The Gables and plans to move in permanently soon. She says: “I’ve always loved this area – I often visit the nearby museum and library and I’m a huge fan of the new theatre, Cast; there’s a real buzz about this area which added to its appeal and I’m delighted that these facilities will now be right on my doorstep.” Also enjoying his first festive season at The Gables is Stephen Barton who recently downsized from a four bedroom property in the suburbs, to a two bedroom home at The Gables. Comments Stephen: “I knew that I wanted a new build home, as I’ve bought new before, but I was really taken
with the thoughtful layout and high quality finish of the homes here. Coming from Doncaster, I’ve witnessed the investment that’s taken place in the area and I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this upcoming new neighbourhood.” Homes at The Gables offer a range of layouts, styles and designs to suit all types of buyer whether they are looking for a first home or to downsize; each well designed and finely crafted property benefits from parking and most have private gardens. Buyers looking to treat themselves with a new home this Christmas could snap up a home here with just 5% deposit thanks to the Governmentbacked shared equity scheme, Help to Buy. One bedroom homes are available starting from £99,950 and two bedroom properties from £125,000. For more information visit www.thegablesdoncaster.co.uk
at the A new home this Christmas is a fabulous gift for both you and your loved ones – so act now to take advantage of special festive offers available at The Gables; Doncaster’s desirable town centre development.
Buyers can also benefit from the Government-backed Help to Buy scheme which allows them to purchase with a 5% deposit, that’s less than £5,000.
• The stylish one bedroom Ebor home, was £99,950 is now available at just £89,950 – complete with private parking and high quality fittings and finish throughout.
Follow us on Twitter @TheGablesDN1 and ‘like’ us on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gables-Doncaster to find out more or to book an appointment to view our two show homes email thegables@landandnewhomes.co.uk or call 01302 378989 today.
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www.thegablesdoncaster.co.uk * Help to Buy scheme available, subject to terms and conditions. YOUR HOME IS AT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT. Full terms and conditions available on request. See more at: www.thegablesdoncaster.co.uk. Image depicts real street view at The Gables.
The team at Cast and the cast and crew of Aladdin would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas Board of trustees Joan Beck Richard Byrne Andy Carver (Vice Chair) Peter Gleadhall (Chair) Margaret Hunt Cllr Bob Johnson David Oldroyd Bobbie Roberts Kevin Spence Maureen Sydney
Head of production and projects Stuart West
Director Kully Thiarai
Sound and lighting technician Matthew Sheridan
Business development manager Clare Clarkson Office manager Kim Thomas Finance and administrative assistant Julie Bennett Production and programming assistant Michael Cook Head of marketing and communications Graham Whitehead
Technical manager Lee Walker Stage manager David Law Flying and rigging technician Dave Griffiths
Casual technicians Michael Bedford Leon Clarke Martin Fowles Ross Grant Jake Harrison Kate Harrison Callum McRobbie Luke Perry Tony Powell Gregory Thornton Tim Watkins
Front of house staff Bev Collins Gavin Corden Emily Graham Elizabeth Griffiths Julie Hirst Chris Holt Megan Holt Chui Wan Kong Anne Lane Kathleen McDonald Ione Riley Andrew Scott Hayley Shay Ada Smith Adam Smith Eleanor Smith Theatre catering manager Adrian Silvio Assistant catering manager Anthony Mclnerney Trainee assistant catering managers Chantelle Cragg Stacey Larner
Theatre manager Kevin Johnson
Catering assistant Martin Terry
Marketing and communications officer Oliver Eastwood
Duty managers Simon Hirst Steph Rockley
Chef Lee Bradley
Box office manager Adam Hogarty
Stage door keeper Tommy Savage
Box office assistants Natalie Brown Ros Free Jane Harris Laura Hibbert Paul Kelly Samantha Randles Rachel Ryan Amy Smith Charlotte Tonkinson
Housekeeping assistants Danielle Binks Donna Clegg Kelley Norton
Bar supervisor Linda Wilkinson Bar staff Michael Baker Sarah Belk Liz Dawson Thomas Guffice Scott Kaihau Shelia Pass Dawn Schofield
Cast would like to thank the following people who have worked with us: Brad France, Olivia-Grace Davies, Charlotte Tonkinson, Alex Oliver, Christie Young, Jane Harris, Q Division Ltd and Gregory's Leather.
None of this would be possible without the support of: Arts Council England, Right Up Our Street, Doncaster Metropolitan Council. Cast is a registered charity. The work we do really does make a difference. We inspire new generations, helping them to find their voice and build their confidence, and bring worldclass theatre to our town. Now you’ve seen what we can offer, this is the perfect time to show your support.
Become a Member Become a part of our history as one of our very first members. Memberships will start from just £30 and offer exclusive deals and benefits.
Make a donation When you book your tickets we will ask if you’d like to make a donation to Cast. Every £1 you give really will go a long way to help us achieve our ambition.
Claim a seat Enjoy your own little spot in our Main Space by claiming a seat. Attach your name, a message or your favourite line from a play to raise a smile. Enjoy your seat with four free tickets to a show of your choice, before leaving it there for all to see. Claiming a seat costs £500 for three years.
Become a Friend Do you have time to spare? Perhaps you could help us send out mailings to potential audiences, or maybe you could organise a coffee morning to raise funds? If you have time, why not becoming a Founder Friend of Cast? Meet people and help us make a difference. To find out more about the Friends email friends@castindoncaster.com To find out more about how you can support Cast visit castindoncaster.com/support. Thank you.