Magic Beanstalk Spotted in Saddleworth
Saddleworth is about to be taken over by fairy dust and magical beans! A brand new version of Jack and the Beanstalk is set to take to the stage at The Millgate Arts Centre, Delph, from 15th – 31st of December.
For years, the people of Saddleworth have wished for their very own panto to rival Oldham’s, and now our Christmas wishes have come true. Panto professionals, Dream Factory Theatre, are making a big investment to bring Christmas to Saddleworth with a home-grown show that is funnier, spanglier and more Christmastastic than anything else around.
Producer Fiona Egan explains “Although we’re a new company to Saddleworth, between us we have over a hundred years experience of putting on panto. We’ve taken all the things that people love about traditional panto and cranked them up to the next level. We’ve got a brand new script from an award-winning writer, a spectacular set and costumes specially designed for the show, the best actors from up and down the country… oh, and one very big giant.”
BEHIND THE SCENES
It takes a lot of work to put on a panto, and the team have been hard at work since January.
The first job to be done is writing the script. “The first read through was February 1st,” says writer Ben Richards. “We have to have the script very early on so we know what costumes need to be made, what set needs to be built and how many actors we need. Of course, there will always be more to add: topical jokes and this year’s chart toppers for starters, so the final version of the script gets sent out in the last week of November.”
“Costumes, props and set are another giant job,” says tech-expert Will Cousins. “Everything for the show gets built in our workshop in Sussex and shipped up in time for opening night. We have been working on the build full-time since July – I don’t want to give anything away, suffice to say that we have been buying top notch pyrotechnics and glitter by the kilo.”
No panto would be complete without a dame, and here in Saddleworth we’re lucky to have one of the best. Scott Worsfold, playing Dame Trott, explains: “The cast line-up is fantastic. We’ve got a really talented bunch who are coming from TV and the West End stage. I love Saddleworth and am really looking forward to playing The Millgate this year. We have a ball at Christmas – the audience always gets involved, singing and laughing along.”
Jack and the Beanstalk is playing from the 15th of December right up to New Year’s Eve.
Tickets are selling well with several dates sold out already, so if you want to make sure you get yours in time, visit the Saddleworth Live webpage at: www.saddleworthlive.com/panto or call box office on: 01457 874644
