Panto Review: Cinderella Lighthouse, Poole

"You Shall Go The Ball" and if you want to experience one the most entertaining pantomimes in the country then you need to book now....

It's Panto Time - Lighthouse, Poole

Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts officially launched its magical family pantomime Cinderella at a fun-filled event on Poole Quay this week. Members of cast and local children chosen to appear in the production were joined by co-producer, writer and director Peter Duncan (of Blue Peter and Duncan Dares fame) – as well as two adorable panto ponies.

 The cast of Cinderella, which runs at Lighthouse from 8 December – 6 January, includes Ethan Lawrence (Bad Education) as Buttons, Richard Gibson (Herr Flick in ‘Allo ‘Allo) as Baron Hardup, Lucy Kay (Britan’s Got Talent) as the Fairy Godmother, Lucy-Jane Quinlan as Cinderella and Jay Worthy and Miles Western as the Ugly Sisters.

Cinderella marks the beginning of a new three-year producing partnership between Lighthouse and Duncan Reeves Productions, and follows their success with last year’s panto, Aladdin.

Peter Duncan, who returns to Lighthouse as Sam Phillips, the father of Rock’n’Roll in the smash-hit musical Million Dollar Quartet from 14-18 November, has a background firmly rooted in the traditions of pantomime. His parents, comedian Alan Gale and soprano Patricia Kaye were also panto producers and his childhood was spent surrounded by the paraphernalia of Pantoland. Peter was instrumental in bringing pantomime back to The Hackney Empire after a gap of thirty years and it was after working with Darren Reeves on pantomimes at the Oxford Playhouse that the pair decided it was time to produce together.

No stranger to the Poole area, Peter was the UK’s Chief Scout from 2004 to 2009, during the time when scouts in over two hundred countries celebrated their centenary in a live broadcast from Brownsea Island.

“I’m really looking forward to creating another good pantomime at Lighthouse. There will be much laughter and spectacle!” Peter reveals.

Peter’s producing partner Darren Reeves is a musical director and West End performer. As well as playing Benny in Björn Again and the lead role of Pianoman in Billy Joel’s hit musical Movin’ Out, he is now a member of Roger Taylor’s Queen Extravaganza, recently touring the UK and Australia.

“Lighthouse is delighted to be renewing its producing partnership with Duncan Reeves Productions,” announced Elspeth McBain, Chief Executive of Lighthouse. “Aladdin proved to be tremendously popular with our audiences last Christmas and we’re looking forward to creating an even more magical and fun-filled panto with Cinderella.”

Cinderella enjoys a four-week run at Lighthouse from Friday 8 December 2017 to Saturday 6 January 2018. Tickets are on sale now from the Lighthouse ticket office, by phone on 01202 280000 or online at www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

It's Behind You!

I have always wanted to play keys as part of Panto band, because then I would get to watch Panto as my job.. over and over again. 

One Is Never Enough

"I'm an alcoholic. I don't have one drink. I don't understand people who have one drink. I don't understand people who leave half a glass of wine on the table. I don't understand people who say they've had enough. How can you have enough of feeling like this? How can you not want to feel like this longer? [pauses, sighs] My brain works differently. Leo Mcgarry...

Out Of The Box: Rawhead Rex

Random pick out of the box yesterday and this was one of them. Rawhead Rex is a bad film but its a goooood bad film....

Children And The Black Dog

I wasn't prepared when the black dog turned up the first time, I didn't even know he existed and he certainly wasn't welcome. But, as he forced his way into my home and flopped onto my sofa, it seemed clear that he wasn't going to be leaving any time soon. I have often wondered what my life would have been like if I had been told about the black dog, if I had been told about mental illness. Would I have coped better? Would it have made a difference? Something happened this morning that made me decide that, whatever happens, my children are going to know about the black dog before he comes knocking...

We Must Never Stop Remembering

Historian Simon Jenkins writes in The Guardian about the need for Remembrance Day to be forgotten and the wars and conflicts of the 20th Century to be left there.  I am writing about why he couldn't be more wrong...

Change And Not A Moment Too Soon

I haven't written anything about Doctor Who since I accused Moffat's showrunning of being like Improv Jazz. I have been on self imposed hyatus but now I'm back and I have a few things to say before Christmas Day. What follows are my opinions on Moffat's tenure as showrunner and the future of a Sci Fi series that I have been watching all of my life. There are other opinions and they are just as valid as mine. What you wont read is an article that pokes holes in Moffat's reign, I am going to be critical but there were moments of sheer brilliance. Had Moffat left with Matt Smith we would have had a very different view looking back, but then I dont think he ever intended to write for Capaldi. Peter Capaldi portrayed The Doctor or, as I have come to know him, the Doctor that never should have been. 

Zimmer Vs Wiliams

If you can remember any of the themes used in the spate of recent Superperson films then you're doing better than me. Zimmer and Williams create music that manages to be both memorable and accentuate and support the action on screen. The two musical titans go head to head for an evening of musical creativity...

Interview With Crazy D Lane

Crazy D Lane was never satisfied with just making films he wants to be part of the community of Independent Film Makers that are reshaping an industry that is looking tired and bland. Today, sees the next chapter in his story and it starts in a shed, Crazy D Lane's garden shed...

I Hurt

Want to know why you should never tell someone suffering with depression that "they have so much to be grateful for" BECAUSE WE KNOW and it doesn't help!....

All Are Equal.. But Are Some Are More Equal Than Others

"Talk 'bout revolution, well you know, we all want to change the world" the time for words has passed and now we need to take action, before it's too late...

Out Of The Box: V The Mini Series

Independence Day wasnt the first time that the world faced a global alien threat. No Men In Black to save us this time, just Marc Singer, Michael Ironside and loads of swishy guns...

#MeToo

#MeToo

This is my story, it is not told for the first time but for the first time I choose to be seen, I am not alone!...

Addiction: Ripping Out The Roots

When you are diagnosed as an addict it is a serious illness but if you take out the problem at the root you stand a greater chance of surviving it. This is my story...

The Betrayal of Service

Selfies, Self Service, Self Promotion, Self Absorbed and Selfish?..

Out Of The Box: Harper's Island

This was a wonderful find and its been several years since I visited Harper's Island. Take the trip sometime...

Write Like You Mean It

I really tried to avoid saying bloggers unite! As independent writers we need to celebrate the independence we have discovered...

Out of the Box: Warlock

Yesterday, I came across this absolute classic and had to rewatch it. How can anyone resist an eighties horror which features Richard E Grant and Julian Sands going head to head?...

IT TV Movie or Cinematic Release?

I like IT, The Mini Series, and I like IT, the new reboot, but which is best? There's only one way to find out...

Out of the Box: Final Destination

I have an extensive film collection and some of the boxes I have unpacked have yielded long forgotten hidden treasure. Films like Trancers (think Bladerunner but on a stupidly small budget) Harpers Island (a deliciously gory and knowingly tongue in cheek slasher) and I could go on. Never one to keep things to myself I decided to revisit each of these films with the hope that some of you may also have a similar idea. First out of the box is the 'thrillogy' (marketing off day or inspired moment of genius?) that makes up the first three Final Destination films...

What Do You Need

This isn't a review of The West Wing and we really need to sit down and think about communication because things cant go on the way they are. I need to change...

Kinky Boots

What follows is a review of Kinky Boots, attended in May 2017 with the original cast. Cast changes have occurred since this date...

Finding Your Creative Spark

Warning: This article contains honesty, mental illness and faith. It is an intensely personal account of recent events and I speak only for myself. What I will say is I would love to support others who wish to share their own journeys. #BreakTheSilence lets work together...

AntiSocial Media? It's Your Account and Your Choice

You get to choose how you conduct yourself on Social Media but there are always consequences to your action and everyone gets to see them...

The True Cost For Freedom of Speech

Freedom of Speech is being debated and the Land of the Free seems anything but...

Miss Saigon- UK Tour

As the UK Tour of Miss Saigon kicks off with press night tonight in Birmingham we say "Welcome back to..... DREAMLAND!"...

Making It So

Who would have thought that a Star Trek captain would hold the answer to unlocking Audience numbers?....

Not Just Another 'Dunkirk' Review

I don't want to talk about the film...

Breaking The Silence

With the shock news that talented Linkin Park lead singer, Chester Bennington, has tragically committed suicide I think it is time that I come clean. With you all....

Jaws

Happy 42nd Birthday Bruce!

Shaaaaaarky, Shaaaaaarky, Sharky, Sharky (as sung along in accompaniment to John William's masterly score throughout the film - he has done this apparently) David Martin celebrates the 40th birthday of a film that was a total and absolute disaster. We are gonna need a bigger cake...

Dead Souls- Press Release

July 4th – 8th, Theatre N16 

Press Night: July 5th 2017, 7.15pm

Featuring live video feedback and sound sculpture, Monkhead Theatre presents a non-traditional adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s 19th century masterpiece. Be prepared to explore the world beyond the stage, as we set our characters loose on 21st century London…

“A complicated and intelligent play. Congrats!” Audience Feedback 

Dead Souls is Gogol’s unfinished epic satire of Russian society, the hilarious story of Pavel Chichikov’s twisted quest to acquire as many dead serfs as he can. Dead Souls is a darkly comic novel about the power of the Capitalist system to turn human beings into numbers and the ways in which cynical individuals exploit this, eroding their own humanity in the process. One hundred years on from the revolution, the big and scary question of Russian literature - In what kind of society do we want to live? - has never been more relevant to a Western audience.

“It’s got something very Tom Stoppard (…) with more style” Audience Feedback 

Monkhead is a minority ethnic and female-led theatre company specialising in experimental adaptations of classic literature. Chloë Myerson is a working television writer represented by The Agency, and Nico Pimparé is a working actor and director, and a member of the Young Vic Directors Programme and of the National Youth Theatre. Together they formed Monkhead Theatre in 2017, inspired by a mutual love both of the well-structured narratives and ambitious social arcs of classic literature and the wild rock & roll playfulness of experimental multimedia theatre. Monkhead adopts a holistic and ensemble-based approach to theatre-making, where the entire creative team build a world together from the collective imagination. The work in the rehearsal room is based around Lecoq, Bogart and Grotowski principles - including video, physical theatre and sound sculpture.

Dead Souls stars Toby Osmond (Thomas Cromwell in Henry VIII and His Six Wives, Channel 5), Joshua Jacob (Jeremy in Switch, Tricycle Theatre) and Jules Armana (nominated for Best Actor in the Hof Independent Fim Festival for his performance in Meier, Müller, Schmidt, Förderpreis Neues Deutsches Kino).

For tickets click on the link here and you can follow Monkhead Theatre on Twitter @MonkheadTheatre@MonkheadTheatre

Eris- Sci- Fi Comedy Web Series- NOW CROWDFUNDING

Eris is a sci-fi comedy that bends, but doesn't quite break the fourth wall. Imagine a female ‘Mad Max’ waking up in the ‘Never Ending Story’. Or perhaps, even, a series of ‘Red Dwarf’ as directed by Ridley Scott. Who will emerge victorious in this interstellar battle between love and strife?

Eccentric aliens resurrect the last human - Eris. But is she more than they can handle? British sci-fi comedy with comic book action, retro styling and a rebellious spirit! Elis is unleashed on Kickstarter today and we need to reach a target of £32,000 to develop a web series or tv show. 

KICKSTARTER LINK- https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1215118718/eris

"Eris is the perfect creative endeavour to grow from a crowd funding scenario. It is designed to be loved and nurtured by a fan base that will feel proud to have had a hand in its creation toward our eventual goal of taking over the whole world with fun action, adventure, inventive but lovable characters and fart jokes." Brad Watson- Director

Eris is a brand new sci-fi comedy series which manages to feel both beautifully familiar and refreshingly new. Created by Haydn Hades, a talented stand up comedian as well as Writer, Producer and Director. Haydn has produced the acclaimed short, The Dark Room (starring David Mitchell) and has directed many stage plays (including Harold Pinter’s ‘The Home-coming’)

Eris is brought to life by the astoundingly talented Jahannah James who, as well as being a fantastic actress is linked to her interviews with Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton. Her comedy videos on Facebook have reached an audience of up to 80 million and she now has 360,0000 registered fans. Jahannah also co hosts a weekly radio show with Noel Clarke on Fubar Radio. The combination of Jahannah’s talent and the innovation behind Eris has already created an online buzz. The Eris mini episode, Eris and the Futile Tin of Mystery, reached 35,000 views within 24 hours of its release. 

Eris is directed by award winning Indie helmsman, Brad Watson, who has also composed and performed the projects epic synth score. Brad’s latest feature, Hallows Eve, premiered at Frightfest and was previewed a the BFI before being shown around the world. As well as being an expert with working with low budgets Brad is also a complete sci-fi obsessive which makes him the perfect to choice to deliver Eris to the world.

Creative Effects are essential to the Eris universe and they don't come much more qualified than John Schoonraad. John has worked on Return of the Jedi, Indiana Jones, Gladiator, Saving Private Ryan and Troy. He was also part of the Oscar winning creature crew for The Wolfman, working with Rick Baker.

When was the last time you really laughed with a truly funny sci-fi comedy? Time to change all that because #HereComesTrouble

https://www.facebook.com/ErisTV/                                                       https://twitter.com/Eris_Series

Amazing perks and become part of British Sci-Fi legend //www.kickstarter.com/projects/1215118718/eris/

Press Release: Audio Cascades- The Copper Cascade Chronicles by Kneel Downe

*Feed Starts...

Are they evil, or just trying to help? This question has plagued the City since Dark Deliverance, Captain Photon and the rest of The Vengeful Squad first appeared. Quickly removed from sight and now housed in Mental Rehabilitation Centre Alpha, known locally as The Copper Cascade, no word reaches the populace of their meaning or their reasoning.

Thanks to the work of investigative journalist Roach Monroe though, we have been receiving audio leaks from within the facility itself and we can now publicly release the interview tapes of Doctor Paul Nyman, the psychologist who is overseeing the treatment and further investigation of the individuals in The Squad. These tapes are not an easy listen and the information contained within will be as divisive as it is shocking. You have been warned...

*Feed Ends

Kneel Downe's take on the superhero genre is already well known and was recently collected into the chart-topping chapbook The Copper Cascade, however everyone involved realised that this was never going to be enough for the Vengeful Squad. The transcripts of Doctor Nyman’s audio interview notes from the book were just begging to be realised in their original format – as audio files. DreamCage Media Group, in conjunction with Kneel, approached renowned voice artist RJ Bayley for some thoughts on how we could accomplish this and discovered in RJ a huge fan of Kneel's work who passionately threw himself into the project. The possibility of bringing superheroes to audio is a task that not many would undertake. There's an almost cinematic reason that this genre of pop culture remains within the pages of comic books and on our screens.

Until now.

On 4th July, Audio Cascades will be unleashed upon an unsuspecting world as The Copper Cascade audiobook through Audible, Amazon and iTunes. You HAVE been warned...

World Refugee Day: Citizens Of The World Choir

I spent the evening in Westminster and came away having been moved to tears and profoundly inspired, this is my account of an evening which powerfully effected me...

She Has A Name- A Film That Has To Be Seen

A Water Tanker, left abandoned. Inside the bodies of 50 dead girls. A conspiracy of silence that has to be broken because it hides the global network of the most horrific evil known to mankind. The sex trafficking industry...

Wheatus- Probably The Hardest Working Band In The World

"So what did you do last night? Oh I hung out with Wheatus and saw them perform live"

London Film Festival: Prevenge

Prevenge is released on DVD/ Blu Ray on Monday. Here is a reminder of my thoughts

Alice Lowe's first feature as a Director is an astounding example of how very right a horror/comedy can feel. Prevenge makes Shaun of the Dead feel inferior in comparison....

I'm Only Human After All

Take a look in the mirror,

And what do you see

Do you see it clearer

Or are you deceived

In what you believe

'Cause I'm only human after all

You're only human after all

Don't put the blame on me

Don't put your blame on me 

Lyrics from 'Human' Rag'n'Bone Man

In Memory of My Bond, James Bond

I remember my first ever outing to the cinema to watch Bond on the big screen. I remember every detail about that first experience. It wasn't like it was my first experience of Bond or even Roger Moore as Bond but your first ever cinema experience of 007 is important. John Glenn said that he thinks who you count as 'your' Bond is guided by who you first see on the big screen. So I queued up excitedly with my Dad at Bournemouth ABC cinema in the summer of 1985 and staring at the film poster. Dad and I always see new Bond films together and it is a tradition that we still honour today, but it started on that day. Roger Moore was fantastic, as always, sophisticated and wise cracking. There was no doubt in my mind that this was going to be the best Bond film ever. View To A Kill gripped me from its opening moments to the, now iconic end action sequence with Christopher Walken's chilling bad guy. I will never forget that moment and I owe it to Sir Roger Moore and his portrayal of my favourite spy of all time. I will be honest and say he isn't my favourite Bond but he will always be MY Bond.

So, I am saddened by today's news that Roger Moore has passed away and, even though he had long since re holstered his Walther PPK, Moore was always a strong and outspoken in regards to the need for future actors to keep to the character that Fleming himself created. I always found this ironic as the wise cracking Bond that Moore portrayed was somewhat removed to the Bond of the novels. What was Moore supposed to do? He couldn't out Connery, Sean could he? Moore was a talented actor with a huge range at his disposal and so his portrayal of the iconic Spy was always going to be radically different to what had gone before. Moore's portrayal of Bond reminded me very much of his role as The Saint in the TV series of the same name. I do recall watching re runs of The Saint but Moore was always Bond for me!

Roger Moore was a British Icon and embodied everything that is loved and respected from the British Film Industry of yesteryear. Well spoken, self effacing and with the sparkle in his eyes that will never ever be forgotten. Today, we learnt of the loss of an amazing actor who delivered many great film performances but for me, I have lost My Bond!

Sir Roger Moore 14th October 1927- 23rd May 2017