A ground force of festive fever is set to sweep through the Connaught Theatre in Worthing this Christmas when the nation’s favourite gardener swaps her spade for a magical wand and sprinkles fairy dust over this year’s action-packed pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.
Charlie Dimmock became a firm favourite along-side Alan Titchmarsh and builder Tommy Walsh in the BBC flagship make-over programme Groundforce, which regularly attracted over 12 million viewers every week. As well as transforming the gardens of viewers, Charlie also worked on a memorial garden for TV presenter Jill Dando, a garden for the New York Restoration Project near Ground Zero, a children’s garden in New Delhi, and, in perhaps one of the programme’s most memorable moments, a garden for the former South African President, Nelson Mandela.
Since then, Charlie has presented The Joy of Gardening, Charlie’s Garden Army, The Chelsea Flower Show and appeared on Celebrity Master Chef and The Games. She’s no stranger to the toils of live theatre either, having toured in the hugely successful play Calendar Girls along-side Sue Holderness, Letitia Dean and Gemma Craven, and played Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at Windsor Theatre Royal.
Charlie will be bringing her home-grown style of Organic Fairy to this traditional pantomime battle of good over evil, as she takes on the might of the evil Fleshcreep, Giant Blunderbore’s villainous side kick.
Pantomime producer Paul Holman said: “This will be the third time Charlie has played Fairy Organic for us. I think what has always left a lasting impression for me is Charlie’s willingness and enthusiasm both on and off stage. She gives 100 percent all the time and can often be found meeting and greeting audiences after the show. She’s instantly recognised wherever she goes and always engages with people.”
As with all good pantomimes, comedy and audience participation will play a huge part and serving up giant helpings of laughter will be funny man Tony Rudd, returning after his comedy-infused Connaught Theatre pantomime debut last Christmas. Having tickled and teased audiences in Sleeping Beauty, Tony Rudd will be back, as Simple Simon, to pepper his panto performance with a who’s who of voices from Daleks to Dame Edna, Spiderman to Louie Spence, and has promised a surprise appearance in Cloudland from Mrs Brown!
Making the move from a two year residence at the Pavilion Theatre, Heart Breakfast DJs Tom and Jack tread the boards at the Connaught for the first time and stepping into the shoes of Dame Trott is the talented Ian Mowat. Allan Jay, plays the title character, with the delightful Janine Pardo as the beautiful Princess Amelia, both of whom will charm audiences with their fabulous voices.
Paul Holman Associates and Worthing Theatres are also making this year’s Connaught Theatre pantomime open to even more groups and families within the community with a designated ‘relaxed performance’ for children and people who may not be comfortable in a traditional theatre setting. Theatre lighting, special effects and sound levels can sometimes be unsettling so the performance on Thursday 2 January 2014 at 2pm will be adjusted to reflect the needs of the audience.
Producer Paul Holman said: “We will be working closely with the team at Worthing Theatres to create an environment where our new audience feel safe. The house lights will be left on as darkness can often be frightening and we will be removing any special effects, such as strobe lighting and noises that could be too loud and alarming.”
“Theatre can sometimes be perceived as a ‘stuffy’ experience when people have to sit still and be quiet during the performance but this is the complete opposite at a relaxed performance. If anyone needs to move around or react vocally they are free to do so and should the performance become too much, they’ll be a safe zone where people can go to unwind until they’re ready to return to the auditorium.”
Families and groups may have avoided a trip to the theatre in the past because the experience may have been too stressful but with the introduction of ‘relaxed performances’ providing a whole new experience, in a safe and accepting environment, it is hoped that even more people can now enjoy live theatre.
Tickets are on sale for all performances of Jack and the Beanstalk, from December 6th 2013 to January 4th 2014, by contacting the box office (01903 206 206) or online ( www.worthingtheatres.co.uk ) with extra discounts available for early bookers.
