Monthly Archives: February 2015

BaCStage, Bluntisham, comedy, Entertainment, Friends, Life, Music, Panto, Play, Shows, Social, Theatre

On a journey with Dick and Tommy

Leave a comment

We’ve been on quite a journey with Dick, Tommy and friends.  We’ve welcomed many new faces on-stage and behind the scenes, rehearsing twice a week for the past six months and playing to full houses in each performance.  It’s been a big production in more ways than one!

You can see photos from the show itself over on our photos page.  Here we have some pictures from behind the scenes.

The actors may have spent months preparing but host and compere Nick prefers a more last-minute approach.
NickOpening night, T minus 5 minutes to curtain up… must be time to write that introduction.

Queen Rat was very confident – perhaps a bit too confident – of being elected Lord Mayor of London.  Here we see her publicity shot, surrounded by her loyal followers.
RatsYou wouldn’t dare to not vote for her, would you?

Queen Rat may not have quite managed to win over the proletariat but her supporters certainly did.  The little rats stole the show and won the hearts of many of the audiences…
Sarah, Idle Jack and the Rats  Little Rats… despite their unswerving loyalty to arch-villain “her Madge” and leading the audience in the community song “Ears, Whiskers, Teeth and Tails”.  Their infectious energy and enthusiasm was as there from the first rehearsal to the last performance.

Richard played a total of three different parts.
Sultan PepperHis transformation into Sultan Pepper of Morocco couldn’t start until after he’d finished being Ernie Bond Rat.

John has starred in many past BaCStage productions.
JohnHe gave Dick Whittington a 9, although interestingly he didn’t say what that was out of…

Where’s that picture of Alan…?
AlanAh, there it is.  Alan landed himself a guest spot in our Saturday night performance.  In case you’re wondering, Alan is still the one on the right.

Thank you to Nikki, Steve and Nick for providing photos.

And so ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, our panto is now done.  We hope that you enjoyed it.  It was a lot of work and also a lot of fun putting it together.  BaCStage will be back on stage in October 2015 with our next production, so keep an eye on this little web site to see what we’re getting up to next.

Advertisements
BaCStage, Bluntisham, comedy, Entertainment, Friends, Life, Panto, Play, Shows, Social, Theatre

And now our show is done

1 Comment

…Dick and Tommy clearly won, Queen rat she was defeated, By a tiger she was eated.

Dick Whittington and his Cat was a “roaring” success.  We played to full houses for each performance, which I do believe is a first for BaCStage.  Pantos are a major undertaking (which is why we only put one on every other year) and DW was no exception – rehearsals started all the way back in September.  We had no less than thirteen junior cast members, which I also think is a first, and each one played their part splendidly (the oldies were pretty good too).  As well as the youngsters, their parents also played a vital role in making the show a success.  Carol summed it up perfectly:

“A huge ‘thank you’ to all the parents who have supported us throughout the rehearsal period and who gave us practical help – both behind the scenes and front of house – during Production Week.  Your input made a significant contribution to the success of this year’s pantomime and, quite simply, we couldn’t have done it without you. We’ve all had a great week and we hope that you did too.”

We’d also like to say a special ‘thank you’ to Jas for once again providing transport to and from the Village Hall.

Lastly, but by no means leastly, we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who came along to see a performance.  If you enjoyed watching the show half as much as we enjoyed putting it together then you’ll have had a lot of fun!

I will be posting photos of the show on the website soon.  As a taster, here is a picture of our special Saturday night guest star, Alan:

AlanThis is what happens when (a) you sit in the front row at a pantomime, (b) you wolf-whistle the dame and (c) the dame sees you wolf-whistling.

In case you’re wondering, Alan is the one on the right.

 

BaCStage, Bluntisham, comedy, Entertainment, Friends, Life, Music, Panto, Play, Shows, Social, Theatre

We’re half way there already!

Leave a comment

Three sellouts!Our first two performances of Dick Whittington and his Cat have flown by in the blink of an eye and now there’s only today’s matinee and evening performance to go.

The rehearsals earlier in the week went well, but having live audiences to play to brought the best out of all of the cast and they upped their performances to match the occasion.

And what audiences!  Full houses on both Thursday and Friday – we never used to dream of such things – and really getting into the panto spirit, cheering the goodies, booing the baddies (and occasionally cheering the baddies…?) and creating a fantastic atmosphere that the actors really rose to.  You Saturday people have a lot to live up to!

Of course, a panto wouldn’t be a panto without a bit of audience participation.  I’m not going to tell the Saturday audiences what they’re in for – I’m going to show them instead.  You may well end up looking like this lot:

DW AudienceYou have been warned!

 

BaCStage, Bluntisham, comedy, Entertainment, Friends, Music, Panto, Play, Rehearsals, Shows, Theatre

It’s a Saturday night sell-out!

1 Comment

Our Saturday night performance of Dick Whittington has *SOLD OUT* and the other shows are filling up nicely as well!  Thank you to all you lovely people who have bought tickets.

Saturday Night Sold Out My oh my, have we got a show for you!  Oh yes we have!  (Just as well really, after selling all those tickets – Ed)  Yours truly had a sneak preview at Monday night’s dress rehearsal and I can exclusively reveal that Dick Whittington and his Cat is looking grrrreat!

The actors are having a well-earned rest tonight (Tuesday) although the crew will be busy putting finishing touches to the set and also, you’ll be glad to hear, putting out the tables and chairs for all our lovely audience to sit on.  Don’t forget, audience people, that you are most welcome to bring along food and drink with you.  Some of our punters like to create the full picnic experience, although unfortunately BBQs are not allowed – quite apart from the fire hazard, you wouldn’t want your table surrounded by two dozen hungry actors refusing to perform until they’ve had sausages!

But I digress… back to business.  On Wednesday it’s second dress rehearsal and then it’s opening night on Thursday!  Can’t wait!

Dick Whittington final number
Director Ron turns conductor to lead the cast in the final number

BaCStage presents “Dick Whittington and his Cat”

a pantomime by Sean Baker and Bill Handley

Thursday 19th, Friday 20th and Saturday 21st February 2015 at Bluntisham Village Hall

7.30pm each evening, and a matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm

Tickets on sale from Bluntisham Service Station

BaCStage, Bluntisham, comedy, Entertainment, Friends, Life, Panto, Play, Shows, Theatre

What on earth is that?!

1 Comment

Seriously, what is it?

What is it?

It is, of course, part of the show.  All will become clear in the next week.

I’ll give you a clue – it is not Dick Whittington himself, nor is it his cat.  It also appears to have more than two legs…

BaCStage presents “Dick Whittington and his Cat”

a pantomime by Sean Baker and Bill Handley

Thursday 19th, Friday 20th and Saturday 21st February 2015 at Bluntisham Village Hall

7.30pm each evening, and a matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm

Tickets on sale from Bluntisham Service Station

BaCStage, Bluntisham, comedy, Entertainment, Friends, Music, Panto, Play, Rehearsals, Shows, Theatre

Beans means…

1 Comment

The days are counting down

The time is almost here

When the panto comes to town

So everybody cheer!

The actors are all keen

Each has learned their part

They have some magic beans

Which are sure to make them f…fantastic

Billy's Magic Beans

BaCStage presents “Dick Whittington and his Cat”

a pantomime by Sean Baker and Bill Handley

Thursday 19th, Friday 20th and Saturday 21st February 2015 at Bluntisham Village Hall

7.30pm each evening, and a matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm

Tickets on sale from Bluntisham Service Station

BaCStage, Bluntisham, comedy, Entertainment, Old Day School, Panto, Play, Rehearsals, Shows

Oh baby, it’s cold outside!

Leave a comment

We actors are a hardy bunch, you know.  Despite the recent cold snap we have been beavering away like busy little beavers, putting the final touches to our next production:

BaCStage presents “Dick Whittington and his Cat”

a pantomime by Sean Baker and Bill Handley

Thursday 19th, Friday 20th and Saturday 21st February 2015 at Bluntisham Village Hall

7.30pm each evening, and a matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm

Tickets on sale from Bluntisham Service Station

It’s less than 2 weeks to opening night!  Oh yes it is!  Tickets are selling well – very well, in fact.  My sources tell me that Saturday night is all but sold out!  There are still some left for Thursday, Friday and the matinee on Saturday, so if you’ve not got yours already get along to Blunty Service Station and bag yourself a pew or two.  Tickets are a bargain at £5 for kids, £7.50 for “big kids” (or, as they’re sometimes known, “adults”).

I am reliably informed that the recent inclement conditions have not had a detrimental effect on last-minute preparations.  (You wot? – Ed)  Everything’s going to plan, despite the cold weather.  (Why didn’t you say so? – Ed)  So much so, in fact, that Nick our set-builder extraordinaire found time to go out into the snow and indulge in one of his favourite pastimes.  No, not that one… I mean photography:

ODS in the snow

I’d like to point out that this picture of the ODS was taken on a non-rehearsal night.  Despite some rumours to the contrary, we do allow the actors to put the lights on for rehearsals.  We even let them have the heating on when the weather’s as cold as this, and thanks to the ancient wonder that is the ODS heating it’s at least five degrees warmer on the inside.

Fortunately Bluntisham Village Hall is blessed with a far more comprehensive heating system, so if you’ve been feeling the chill lately what better way to warm up on a cold winter’s night than to come along and see our next show?  Have I mentioned that we have a show coming up?  Our panto, Dick Whittington and his Cat, is on from February 19th to 21st, tickets available from Bluntisham Service Station.  What’s that you say – I did mention that already?  Well, now I’ve mentioned it again!