THE sheer timelessness of Southport Dramatic Club’s pantomime productions was highlighted in our LookBack Christmas special.
Captured on an archive photo – reproduced again here – was a host of SDC regulars in mid-performance of Jack and the Beanstalk, at the Little Theatre in the 1998/9 panto season.
The same day as our Christmas LookBack was published, SDC started its latest panto run at the Little Theatre – performing none other than Jack and the Beanstalk.
Then as now, Arnold Gorse played the dame, Titania Trump, with Les Gomersall as her son, Silly Billy. The current panto run sees Arnold and Les re-united onstage for the first time in five years, with Les doubling as director.
Pointing in a stern manner on the photo is Norman Hope, who played King Satupon. Now 72, Norman’s last panto performance was two years ago in Dick Whittington, but he has since trod the boards for SDC in a number of straight roles.
The target of the King’s finger-wagging was Sir Dropalot, played by John Ellis-Fox, while the town crier was Jonathan Grimshaw and Florence (on the right) was Pippa Dunnett (now Pippa Morris).
Norman, a veteran of seven SDC pantos since joining in 1995, said he recalled this as his second, with Babes in the Wood prior to it.
“I remember my entrance after the chorus finished opening up,” he said. “I was carried in on what was like a sedan chair by four strong men from the chorus. I also remember having a custard pie in my face from Les Gomersall.”
The panto runs until Sunday, January 6.Box office is on 01704 530521 or 01704 530460.
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »