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22
Jan
Behind the scenes at Ripon’s charity pantomime
For many people, the January slump is well underway and any sense of winter cheer is a distant memory – but not in Ripon.
Members of Ripon Charity Pantomime Group are preparing for their most important week of the year, which invariably falls in January, with the hope of putting a smile on locals’ faces.
This year – the group’s 45th pantomime – the volunteers are putting on a production of Sinbad and His Eighth Voyage, which tells the story of a noble sailor who sets sea to retrieve a precious pearl.
But the voyage is not without its obstacles, as villain Evilena does everything in her power to sabotage Sinbad the Sailor's mission.
Ripon’s production has all the ingredients of a classic pantomime: slapstick humour, musical numbers, outrageous costumes and a love story.
At the penultimate dress rehearsal on Tuesday (January 20), producer Cath Colman told the Stray Ferret the pantomime group raises money for local organisations each year, which are selected after the annual run.
Cath loves the fundraising element, but says the pantomime is really about “putting on a brilliant show for the people of Ripon, which is affordable”.
We’re not professionals, we’re amateurs and we’re all volunteers. We do this for fun.
Some of the cast of Sinbad and His Eighth Voyage.
Cath has been involved in the pantomime since 2012 and has previously co-produced it, but this is her first time flying solo.
She has been preparing for the run for almost a year, but the cast and crew have been rehearsing since September.
Cath said:
It’s been hard work and it’s been a big journey for me. It hasn’t been without its challenges… but the guys who have made this show what it is have been absolutely brilliant. I’m in awe of them. I can’t wait to see them when there is a full audience.
It’s been a lot of hard work but it's worth it.
Cath said the pantomime is a “great night” and encouraged people to get involved.
Get yourself here! You make new friends. I’ve learned so many different things.
Even if you don’t want to be on stage, come and be part of backstage and learn something new.
From September to January, there is a lot of fun and laughter. If you want a great night, come and see the show!
She added:
This show would not be possible without having a great team behind me. I might be the creator, but the team, cast and crew are what makes the show possible.
From the set creator/designer Antony Prince, prop maker Mike Spurgeon, the initial help from Simon Hewitt and Simon Richardson, and a treasure in the guise of Hazel Barker who came out of retirement and made my dame costumes, these are the people who we don’t see.
Without the backstage crew and my wonderful cast, there wouldn’t be a show. I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you and now enjoy the show!
The dancers.
Production has 'something for everyone'
Thirteen-year-old Olivia is returning for her fourth pantomime this year.
She has been dancing since she was three and is a dancer in Sinbad and His Eighth Voyage.
But what draws Olivia back?
I just feel like panto is really good because you meet a lot of new people, and I love being on stage and performing.
Olivia, who is from Ripon, told the Stray Ferret Ripon’s pantomime has “something for everyone to enjoy”.
She also encouraged people to join Ripon Charity Pantomime Group:
If you ever feel nervous about auditioning, definitely come because it’s a really good experience.
Geoff Dickson as Dame Nora Snickers
‘People love coming to pantomimes – this will be no different’
Geoff Dickson, or Dame Norma Snickers, is something of a pantomime veteran.
He began performing in pantomimes in 1993 and is returning to the Ripon stage for the third time.
“They were short of a dame this year, so they asked me if I’d step in and I came to the rescue," Geoff told the Stray Ferret.
But what can people expect from this year’s production?
It’s a very straightforward story: the hero goes off to save his best friend and falls in love with the princess. Everybody lives happily ever after and the baddies get seen to, shall we say. It’s a typical pantomime.
People generally love coming to pantomimes and this will be no different in that respect. Everyone will love it.
The eight-day run of Sinbad and His Eighth Voyage at Ripon Arts Hub begins on Friday (January 23) at 7.30pm.
Shows will also be held on:
- Saturday 24 at 2pm and 7.30pm
- Sunday 25 at 2pm and 7.30pm
- Thursday 29 at 7.30pm
- Friday 30 at 7.30pm
- Saturday 31 at 2pm and 7.30pm
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