About Broadstone Pantomime
Information about Broadstone Pantomime Productions, the history, committee members and behind-the-scenes members.
Information about Broadstone Pantomime Productions, the history, committee members and behind-the-scenes members.
Broadstone Productions (Broadstone Pantomime Society) are a fun and friendly amateur pantomime society dedicated to providing the best possible family experience. The original aim of the society was to put on shows involving and for the community; also to give something back by donating some of the proceeds to local good causes. That tradition has continued and many charities have benefitted over the years.
An annual pantomime is produced over two weekends each January in the War Memorial Hall, Tudor Road, Broadstone.
The society was founded in 1979, 40 years ago now. Early productions included ‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘Good King Wenceslas’ and the first pantomime was ‘Cinderella’ in 1981, which raised money for Monecute School. During the 1980’s, winter pantomimes were produced alongside summer choruses and one act plays. Since the 1990’s the main emphasis of the society has been putting on an annual pantomime, sometimes traditional, such as ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, or something completely new, such as ‘Wonky Wellard the Wizard’ and ‘The Master of Toxcity’. Most have been written by existing members of the society, introducing up and coming script writers in the latter years. In 1996 the society won an achievement award for ‘Services to the Arts’ and other awards have been received from Dorset Pantomime Productions.
One of the founding members of the society, Mally Tieche, has acted, directed, produced, wrote scripts and acted as chairman, was involved right up to 2010. She only escaped by emigrating to Australia! Despite a blip in 2007, when it was decided not to put on a show, renewed enthusiasm coupled with new members has meant the society is now in a strong position and recent productions and recent productions have been very well received. Katie Bavington, took over as chairman and Director in 2010 till 2016.
A good number of other people working in specific and general areas ensures a ‘good’ show for our judges, the audience. At the end of our Pantomime, Treasure island in 2016 katie announced that she wished to move on and pursue other interests and resigned. Michael Rustici was voted in as the new Chairman of Broadstone Productions and has remained in that position since. Having tried his hand at directing in 2017, Mike handed over the directorial reins to Emma-Louise Pottinger, who has been our company director 2018 onward and continues in that position, for what we hope will be some time to come.
The current committee is:
Michael Rustici – Chairman
Emma-Louise Pottinger – Vice Chairman
Hannah Swan – Treasurer
Jenny Tarrant – Secretary
Helen Tucker, Jenny Davidson, Terry Madge and Lesley James.
The society is run in the same way as many others by a committee elected at an Annual General Meeting, held usually in April. They meet as necessary, usually on a monthly basis, to organise all of the forthcoming shows both on and off the stage, any fundraising events and the continued existence of the society by deciding future productions.
The rest of the behind the scenes members, the unsung heroes:
Company Director: Emma-Louise Pottinger, Stage Manager: Hannah Swan, Prompt: Jenny Tarrant, Set painting and construction: Michael Rustici, Tech Lead: Olly Bennett, Sound & Lighting: Will Lowbridge, Toryn Smith & Don Sherry, Front of House Manager: Jenny Tarrant, Costumes: Joanna Cracknell, Makeup: Emma-Louise Pottinger, Backstage Crew: Derek Tarrant & Joanna Cracknell, Marketing: Emma-Louise Pottinger, Photography: Steve Knight - Knight Vision Photography, Website: Darren Swan.
The very talented Jan Mizen Dancers, a separate dancing school, have appeared in Broadstone Productions pantomimes for many years, performing 3-6 dances in each show. This adds another colourful dimension to our productions.
Many members have given long and loyal support. A particular mention must be made to Sylvia Rogers-Fowle, another founder member who passed away, she was a truly inspirational professionally trained set painter and make-up artist able to produce 3D looking flats and backcloths, whose skill enormously added to the quality of the productions.
Open auditions are held in September to cast the next show and we are always pleased for new people to come along and join the society, whether they want to appear on stage or help back stage. All talents are welcome; actors, singers, dancers, musicians, scene shifters, set painters, make-up artists, costume makers/designers, prompts, front of house and anyone who makes a mean cup of tea!
Annual membership of Broadstone Productions is £25 and we do have an age restriction which means those wishing to join must be at least 13. At the other end of the scale, our oldest member is 70+.
Rehearsals usually follow a pattern of Wednesday evenings, with the occasional other evening and Saturday and Sunday day time rehearsals as the show dates approach. We have a two week break over Christmas and the New Year. All rehearsals are held around the Broadstone area, with the latter ones in the War Memorial Hall.
For our performances we will be selling our tickets through Ticket Source and there are links to their site on our web site and our Facebook page. There will still be tickets sold by Hillier Wilson Estate Agents, they will be able to access the Ticket Source web site and book your tickets and they should be able to print your ticket off for you or arrange for Ticket Source to email your ticket to your home.
Ticket prices for the first performance are £4.00. All other performances are £8.00 for adults and £4.00 for children/seniors. Show tickets are available from Hillier Wilson Estate Agents, 188 The Broadway, Broadstone. There are also limited tickets available on the door at show time – but shows, particularly matinees, have been fully sold out in advance previously – so don’t chance it!