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As the sun pounds the last few rays of sun on our faces its hard to visualise the cold dark and wet months to come. But amongst the coming of autumn and winter there’s a glimpse of some rays of light and excitement with the 2003 Elaps Christmas Pantomime!
This year Elaps don Togas and sandals and bring you Hercules the Pantomime. Casting is complete and rehearsals are well under way on this modern play (written in 1997 by Julia Banks) bringing something upbeat and modern to the village of East Leake.
Hercules boasts a fantastic cast, some new faces, some regulars and a host of local talent bringing you song, dance and comedy with that little touch of romance. It’s a family show aimed to bring some “fun” for the kids– anyone for a haircut? A little bit of music nostalgia for the parents, dads get your blue suede shoes on and mums swing your pants and bring your tissues!
Jarrod Makin and Phil Pickering are this years directors, if the show is as funny as our rehearsals we promise you all - you’re in for a treat. We’ve some new talent joining us on stage and Wayne Smith is busy working those Pec’s and building those biceps to perfection to bring our hero Hercules to life. Ian Johnston and his padded chest, is back to portray our pantomime dame – Medussa, assisted as always by our Hero’s best friend the not so masculine Narcissus (Gill Bowness). Narcissus instead of competing with Hercules in the twelve labours seems more interested in a career in hairdressing at his Aunty Medussa’s saloon.
Ladies bring your roses to throw on stage as playing the King in his white rhinestone suit, Cuban heels and real hairy chest is Elvis himself (Steve Fordyce). The king seems a little “shook up” when he learns his only daughter the pretty (but nasty) Princess Wanda (Ruth Allen) has been kidnapped along with her trusty and only friend Gingernut the Gryphon (Nikki Dinnie) by the evil Cyclops (Dave Gregory) and the Red Guard Leader (Kim Allen).
So to the rescue, Hercules faces yet another challenge! All for “the power of love” as predicted by the goddess of love - Venus played by Celestine Stafford. Whilst all the action and heroics are taking place the entire future of our play and its characters lie in the hands of our 3 fates, Knit (Sonya Oates), Purl (Sue Hutton) and Drop One (Nicky Spencer), who spend the entire play knitting and singing and knitting and singing.
The Play is backed up by a great chorus of Greek (yep Greek) Narrators, Nymphs, showgirls, cheerleaders and demons.
Hercules has proven to be the biggest challenge yet for our costume department. This season Elaps are very lucky to have a new member to the firm, Madeline Lord has joined the group as costume mistress and wardrobe master and brought with her a wealth of ideas and designs for entire cast, men, females and monsters included. Its amazing what you can do with wire coathangers!
But, we’re not finished there, ELAPS NEEDS YOU! YES YOU!! We’re still looking for help to do the backstage tasks on the show nights and assistance in helping with the physical preparation for the show. If you’d like to experience Elaps, then don’t hesitate to call one of the numbers below and come along we certainly would love your help.
The show dates are December 4 -6th, 7:30pm with a matinee at 2:00pm at East Leake Village Hall. Tickets will be on sale at the East Leake Post Office from 1st November.
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