Dracula the Vampire Strikes Back
Date - 29th October 2014
Society - Vane Tempest Theatre Group
Venue - Seaham School of Technology
Type of Production - Pantomime
Director - Keith Armitage
Musical Director - Ben Wardropper
Choreographer - Kathryn Burnett
Report - Author: Peter Oliver
The Vane Tempest Theatre Group’s interpretation of “Dracula the Vampire Strikes Back” turned out to be a winner for both Hallowe’en and Half Term. This was the group’s final show in their regular venue prior to the closure of Seaham School of Technology later this year, and the group pulled out all the stops, decorating the entrance and with the group’s members dressed in the Halloween costumes to add to the ambience.
I have always been one for traditional pantomimes, so I was a little bit apprehensive about seeing a Hallowe’en Pantomime, but my apprehensions were unfounded as this show had all the traditional panto ingredients, a principal girl and boy, a baddy and a dame, and contained lots of singing and dancing, colourful costumes, a sing-a-long, and a cast full of enthusiasm, much appreciated by the audience, with plenty of boos, hisses and cheers in all the right places.
Director Keith Armitage certainly knows how to get the best out of his cast, supported by Ben Wardropper, as Musical Director, and Kathryn Burnett as Choreographer, who together produced an audience-pleasing pantomime. Susan Antcliff played the part of the Narrator confidently, and ensured that the story flowed. Laura Geary played the part of Sophie Van Helsing, the vampire slayer, whose whole purpose in life is to rid London of evil vampires. Laura is an excellent performer and delivered her musical numbers beautifully and confidently. Her pantomime mother, Coco Van Helsing, played by Steve White who played the perfect dame. He was very entertaining, certainly knew how to engage with the audience, and had some good one liners.
Gemma Parnaby played Lucy Lastic, Sophie’s trusted friend. She is a confident performer and engaged well, especially in the scene with Doctor Renfield, played by Paul Henry, who also gave us a confident performance. Kathryn Burnett played Sheerluck Jones, the evil eyed detective. Again, Kathryn gave a good performance supported by the young talented Ben Southwick (P.C.World) a very talented young man whose name we need to remember for the future. A confident performance from Ben Wardropper playing the love struck Jonathan Harker, the cowardly henchman, who again delivered his musical numbers well. Having arrived at Dracula’s castle in Transylvania in search of the keys to reveal the hidden treasure, the party not only found the hidden treasure with support from the talking wall, played by Suzy Wake, but also discover Professor Van Helsing, Sophie father, and Coco long-lost husband, played by Nick Ancliff. Special mention must go to Rob Urwin in his first role as principal, playing Lord Emo Globin and Dracula.
Rob certainly looked confident, gave a strong performance and delivered his musical numbers well. Special mention must also go to Carolyn Adgar, Tassia Cole and Linsey Southwick as the Andrex Sisters, with their interpretation of the Andrews Sisters singing “Chattanooga ChooChoo”. This number was very entertaining, as was the scene with Dracula’s brides which was well choreographed and costumed.
I loved the three Spanish dancing girls and the Mexican hat dance. Special mention must also go to Jennifer Henry, who played flower seller, and Emily Harrison, Robert Reynolds, Lyn Swinburne and Nick Thompson who played the Bailiff’s men in black style, and finally congratulations to the chorus of Londoners all who added value to the production.
Congratulations must go to the production team who played a vital role in enhancing the work of the cast. This production was filled with high energy and ran at a quick pace enabling the cast to milk the many gags, one-liners and innuendos. The set looked great, and without exception the whole cast worked together, each going that extra mile to deliver a remarkable performance. Well Done Vane Tempest Theatre Group on an excellent performance.
Date - 29th October 2014
Society - Vane Tempest Theatre Group
Venue - Seaham School of Technology
Type of Production - Pantomime
Director - Keith Armitage
Musical Director - Ben Wardropper
Choreographer - Kathryn Burnett
Report - Author: Peter Oliver
The Vane Tempest Theatre Group’s interpretation of “Dracula the Vampire Strikes Back” turned out to be a winner for both Hallowe’en and Half Term. This was the group’s final show in their regular venue prior to the closure of Seaham School of Technology later this year, and the group pulled out all the stops, decorating the entrance and with the group’s members dressed in the Halloween costumes to add to the ambience.
I have always been one for traditional pantomimes, so I was a little bit apprehensive about seeing a Hallowe’en Pantomime, but my apprehensions were unfounded as this show had all the traditional panto ingredients, a principal girl and boy, a baddy and a dame, and contained lots of singing and dancing, colourful costumes, a sing-a-long, and a cast full of enthusiasm, much appreciated by the audience, with plenty of boos, hisses and cheers in all the right places.
Director Keith Armitage certainly knows how to get the best out of his cast, supported by Ben Wardropper, as Musical Director, and Kathryn Burnett as Choreographer, who together produced an audience-pleasing pantomime. Susan Antcliff played the part of the Narrator confidently, and ensured that the story flowed. Laura Geary played the part of Sophie Van Helsing, the vampire slayer, whose whole purpose in life is to rid London of evil vampires. Laura is an excellent performer and delivered her musical numbers beautifully and confidently. Her pantomime mother, Coco Van Helsing, played by Steve White who played the perfect dame. He was very entertaining, certainly knew how to engage with the audience, and had some good one liners.
Gemma Parnaby played Lucy Lastic, Sophie’s trusted friend. She is a confident performer and engaged well, especially in the scene with Doctor Renfield, played by Paul Henry, who also gave us a confident performance. Kathryn Burnett played Sheerluck Jones, the evil eyed detective. Again, Kathryn gave a good performance supported by the young talented Ben Southwick (P.C.World) a very talented young man whose name we need to remember for the future. A confident performance from Ben Wardropper playing the love struck Jonathan Harker, the cowardly henchman, who again delivered his musical numbers well. Having arrived at Dracula’s castle in Transylvania in search of the keys to reveal the hidden treasure, the party not only found the hidden treasure with support from the talking wall, played by Suzy Wake, but also discover Professor Van Helsing, Sophie father, and Coco long-lost husband, played by Nick Ancliff. Special mention must go to Rob Urwin in his first role as principal, playing Lord Emo Globin and Dracula.
Rob certainly looked confident, gave a strong performance and delivered his musical numbers well. Special mention must also go to Carolyn Adgar, Tassia Cole and Linsey Southwick as the Andrex Sisters, with their interpretation of the Andrews Sisters singing “Chattanooga ChooChoo”. This number was very entertaining, as was the scene with Dracula’s brides which was well choreographed and costumed.
I loved the three Spanish dancing girls and the Mexican hat dance. Special mention must also go to Jennifer Henry, who played flower seller, and Emily Harrison, Robert Reynolds, Lyn Swinburne and Nick Thompson who played the Bailiff’s men in black style, and finally congratulations to the chorus of Londoners all who added value to the production.
Congratulations must go to the production team who played a vital role in enhancing the work of the cast. This production was filled with high energy and ran at a quick pace enabling the cast to milk the many gags, one-liners and innuendos. The set looked great, and without exception the whole cast worked together, each going that extra mile to deliver a remarkable performance. Well Done Vane Tempest Theatre Group on an excellent performance.
