By ROBERT GIBSON rgibson@cngroup.co.uk

Last updated at 09:05, Monday, 01 October 2012

SINBAD the Sailor is coming to Prudhoe.

The town’s renowned Dragon Tale Theatre group has chosen the farcical tale as this year’s pantomime and will be putting on four performances at Prudhoe High School’s arts centre.

The panto, written by Damian Trasler, David Lovesy and Steve Clark, tells the story of the boastful eponymous character, who arrives in the port of Al Haveanother, bragging about his adventures at sea.

Immediately, he falls for the Sultan’s daughter, who alas is spirited away by the evil sorceress Halapena, leaving Sinbad, who’s perhaps not all he seems, to lead the rescue mission.

“It’s very much a typical panto – full of intrigue and visits to different lands,” said Caroline Warburton, who coordinates ticket sales and fund-raising for Dragon Tale.

“There will be a lot of audience participation, the chance to sing along to some well-known songs and the usual local in-jokes can be expected.”

Rehearsals have been ongoing since April, with full scenes now coming together nicely.

Production, as always, will be the responsibility of Wendy Neal, who recently gained local fame after being selected as an Olympic torch bearer.

Doug Younger, meanwhile, will lead the live band and costumes will be under the control of Violet Bewick.

“We’ve a huge cast this year,” Caroline added.

“Well over 200 people are now involved, ranging in age from eight to their 80s.

“There are a lot children in it this year and in the largest scene 70 people will be on stage.”

Performances will run between Wednesday, October 31, and Saturday, November 3, with evening shows beginning at 7pm and the Saturday matinee at 2pm.

Tickets, which cost £8 for adults, £6 for those aged over 60 and £5 for children up to the age of 16, are available from Caroline or Ian Warburton on (01661) 833614, 07792 566344 or warburtonsuk@hotmail.com

Dragon Tale will also be hosting a public meeting on October 8 for groups keen on getting involved in plans to create a new community arts centre in Prudhoe.

This will be held at 8pm at St Matthew’s Church hall on South Road.

Caroline, who is working to gauge the views of residents about the project, said: “There’s been a lot of enthusiasm and a great deal of support, including from Prudhoe Town Council.

“The main concern now is finding a suitable site for it and, while there are one or two possibilities, it’s still at the drawing board stage.

“The meeting will be very much an informal gathering as we now need to get a committee set up.

“Then we can get charitable status and move things on to the next level.”

First published at 09:03, Monday, 24 September 2012
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk