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We recently hosted our press launch for this year’s sparkling family pantomime – Aladdin.

All of our cast members were on hand to chat to the local media, including the Eastern Daily Press, Lowestoft Journal, Radio Suffolk, The Beach Radio and Suffolk Kids Blog.

Along with taking a number of promotional photographs, the cast – including former high-profile MP Ann Widdecombe and A1 boyband star Mark Read – then recorded the video trailer on our historic stage.

Here is the story of how the day progressed – including some exclusive behind the scenes photographs!

11am – Cast arrive and into costume

This was the first time that many of our cast members had met one another – and also the staff at the Marina.

After being directed backstage, they were then asked to change into their costumes – ready for the photo shoot.

Returning stars Terry Gleed (Wishee Washee) and Fenton Gray (Widow Twankey) soon re-familiarised themselves with the theatre.

“I am thrilled to be back – I had such a good time last year,” Fenton commented.

But for Mark Read, Mia Richards and Darren Clewlow-Smith – it was their first visit to Lowestoft.

Mia said: “I am so excited  as it’s my first professional job while I have been training.

“What an amazing way to start with a pantomime at Christmas – the best time of the year.”

Aaron Spendelow – who is playing the Genie in this year’s production – has previously performed at the Marina in a show called The Little Big Club.

“It is a lovely venue and town,” he described to the others.

Meanwhile, members of the local media were arriving at the theatre – ready to document all the fun and games they were about to see.

“I love pantomime and hearing the children laughing – the special thing about pantomime is the audience,” described Ann Widdecombe.

 12pm – Press start to arrive/cast pose for pictures and other press photographs

With our cast ready and in position (and after a few cups of coffee) our guests were invited up on stage to take photographs with this year’s performers.

We were also pleased to welcome Roger Harrod to the stage – and we thank Karpet Kingdom for their sponsorship of this year’s production.

Soon, plenty of colourful images were captured – and camera flashes brightly lit up our auditorium.

 12:45 pm  – Cast interviews with press

Members of the press were then invited to our First Floor Lounge to chat individually with the stars of this year’s show.

“I have had people come from all over the world to see me perform in pantomime, including from Norway, Spain and even Japan,” popstar Mark Read explained.

Mark is known to millions as a member of hit boyband A1 and for their trio of Number One singles Take on Me,  Caught in the Middle and Same Old Brand New You.

Hoping to bring his experience to the table, resident funny man Terry Gleed was on hand to speak about this year’s show – his third pantomime in a row at the Marina!

“I live near Heathrow Airport and to come to somewhere like Lowestoft is just magical.

“As soon as I venture to panto land people recognise me.”

With radio interviews, recorded comments and plenty of notes taken, the press then departed to write up their stories and our cast and staff members could take a brief break for lunch.

This year will be the eighth pantomime appearance for Darren Clewlow-Smith – who will be playing the frightening Abanazar.

“He is the best villain and is so varied to play. I love to get booed,” he said.

2:15 – Video trailer filming – stage

Cast members were called one at a time for their individual segments. This was the time where the fun and games really began – with some one liners, slapstick gags and emotive acting all in the offing.

It also allowed our cast to watch one another –and to gain an insight into their performing styles.

3:30 – Our press launch came to an end – the next time all of our cast will be together again will be for rehearsals!

Aladdin runs at the Marina Theatre for 32 amazing performances full of eastern promise!
Tickets, which start from just £7, are on sale now online or at the box office on 01502 533 200.

Pictures: Mandy Mullender, Mick Howes & Joe Randlesome

The Marina Theatre is proud to bring the UK’s biggest Shakespeare celebration of the year to Lowestoft – with performances from a number of local schools.

It will take place on Monday, November 13 at 7pm, with tickets priced at £9.50, Concessions £7 and Groups of 20+ £6.50.

Click HERE to watch a promotional video for a flavour of what to expect.

The world’s largest youth drama festival sees students from primary, secondary and special schools unite on stage for the celebratory finale of a six month journey.

Cultural education charity Shakespeare Schools Foundation (SSF) has recruited over 1,000 schools across the country to perform as part its annual Festival.

Up to 30,000 students will get the chance to perform in one of 136 professional theatres across the UK with 292 performance nights taking place between October and December. Students have the opportunity to showcase their talents with abridged performances of thrilling Shakespeare plays.

Poppy, a Festival participant, says the SSF experience helped her make friends: “Because of the Shakespeare Schools Festival, I was able to bond with lots of people and make friends with people I never thought I would.”

Actor and comedian Hugh Dennis, a patron of SSF, says he is amazed by the impact of the Festival: “The enjoyment the children who take part show and the sense of confidence they gained from both performing and working with the words in palpable, and will surely help them both now and in later life.”

SSF targets students and communities who stand to benefit the most from engagement with the arts. The unique performances build vital life skills in participants and inspire a lifelong interest in culture and the arts across the whole community.

Shakespeare Schools Foundation Chief Executive Ruth Brock says: “We know that Shakespeare is difficult and off putting for many. But we also know that SSF’s unique process, which culminates in the chance to perform on professional stages, has the power to change this perception and to change lives.”

To book, call the box office on 01502 533200 or click HERE.

Shakespeare Schools Festival – Facts and Figures

Shakespeare Schools Foundation is a cultural education charity that gives young people the confidence to see that the whole world is their stage.

• Its annual Festival, the Shakespeare Schools Festival, is unites primary, secondary and special schools in the world’s largest youth drama project.

• In 2017, over 1,000 schools and up to 30,000 young people take to 136 professional stages nationwide, from Aberdeen to Aberdare, Plymouth to Portsmouth, Carlisle to Clacton.

• Up to 280,000 young people have taken part in the Festival since it began in 2000.

• 292 Festival nights will take place across that time at the hundreds of theatres across the country, with up to 23 performances happening simultaneously.

• Each Festival night showcases a half hour abridged performance of a different Shakespeare play from three or four local schools with one interval.

• The Festival changes lives every year. 97% of teachers report an increase in their student’s confidence and 95% say that their students are better able to empathise withe each other. 84% of teachers report that as a result of the Festival, students’ attainment in English improves and 95% say that their students are more enthusiastic about learning.

It will give audiences an insight into the daily routines of a our theatre – featuring behind the scenes footage and exclusive content.

We will be taking part in #Love Theatre Day –  a social media phenomenon – on Wednesday, November 15.

For the first time, the day will be run in association with The Stage – with a number of other individuals and cultural organisations taking part.

The takeover day, which will be on the social media platforms Twitter and Instagram, will initially take audiences behind the scenes to see parts of the theatre they would never normally see.

There will also be a chance for people to ask questions via social media and see how the theatre operates on a daily basis.

On the same day, the theatre is showing The Mountain Between Us (12A) on the big screen at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.