Performance Dates
18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 27th, 28th, 30th & 31st December 2009;
1st & 2nd January 2010
Performance Times
Evening performances will begin at 7.30pm.
The matinée performances (Sunday 20th, Sunday 27th December, and Saturday 2nd January 2010) will begin at 3:00pm.
Saturday 2nd January 2010 will have a matinee and evening performance.
Location
Beckenham Theatre Centre
46 Bromley Road
Beckenham
BR3 5JD
Price
Tickets are £8.00 (£6.00 concessions).
Box Office
Please contact the Box Office on 07905 744991
Press Text
Following on from the success of last year’s Cinderella, Alexander Vail has been commissioned to write his third pantomime exclusively for Beckenham Theatre, which premieres this Christmas, with a fantastic cast, directed by Tim James (who also directed this year’s award-winning The Rise and Fall of Little Voice)
The famous tale of Dick Whittington - the boy who travelled to London to make his name and his fortune - has been popular in England since the fifteenth century. Part true story (he really did exist, he really did fall in love with Alderman Fitzwarren’s daughter; and he really did become one of the richest and influential men in London), part Persian myth (which may explain the cat!), his adventure has survived the ages through the magic of pantomime.
This exciting, fast-paced, modern production of one of the best-ever pantomime stories opens at Beckenham Theatre Centre on 18th December 2009.
Ed - This text is taken from the newsletter for December.
More Press Text
Following the huge success of Alexander Vail’s previous commissions for Beckenham Theatre: Snow White and
the Seven Dwarfs (2004) and Cinderella (2008), the director of this year’s pantomime, approached Alexander
Vail to write a modern script for Dick Whittington and His Cat.
Director Tim James, 49, said “Having agreed to direct the panto, I couldn’t find a script that was strong or
current enough to appeal to a 21st century audience, so I asked Alexander to creating a new script for us. His
writing is so sharp and engaging, the resulting script has been an absolute delight to work with.”
Playwright Vail, 29, whose powerful drama That Stocks Will Stand was produced at the same venue in August,
says “pantomime is one of the great British art forms. For most children, pantomime is their very first foray
into an auditorium, so it is essential to put on a stunning show for them. Beckenham Theatre produces
excellent shows throughout the year, and the panto season is no exception. It was an honour to be asked to
write another show for them, and I can’t wait to see it on opening night!”
ABOUT THE PLAY:
The famous tale of Dick Whittington - the boy who travelled to London to make his name and his fortune - has
been popular in England since the fifteenth century. Part true story (he really did exist, he really did fall in
love with Alderman Fitzwarren's daughter; and he really did become one of the richest and influential men in
London), part Persian myth (which may explain the cat!), his adventure has survived the ages through the
magic of pantomime. This exciting, fast-paced, modern production of one of the best-ever pantomime stories
opens at Beckenham Theatre Centre on Friday 18th December 2009 and runs until Saturday 2nd January 2010.
[Complimentary tickets for press reviews are available from Fleur Buckley (details above).]
Please contact Fleur Buckley: 020 7957 4709 (daytime);
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
ABOUT BECKENHAM THEATRE CENTRE:
• Beckenham Theatre Centre Ltd is a registered charity, staffed entirely by volunteers, which has been
committed to serving, involving and delighting the local community for over 60 years. Registered number
236434 (England & Wales).
• Beckenham Theatre is a member of the Bromley Theatre Guild.
• Situated in the heart of Beckenham, this unusual Victorian building houses one of the smallest auditoria in
the country - with just 47 seats - and the unique charm of the venue delights all who enter.
• Address: Beckenham Theatre Centre, 46 Bromley Road, Beckenham, BR3 5JD
• BTC is a traditional community theatre and membership is open to anyone interested in the dramatic arts,
either as an audience member or as an active participant. Joining costs just £20.00 per year – more
information is available on the website: www.beckenhamtheatre.co.uk.
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT:
Alexander Vail is a playwright based in south London, and has been writing for the last eight years. His debut
Parisienne Ladies was performed to acclaim at Beckenham Theatre Centre in 2002. Since then, he has had
several further plays performed by various companies both in the UK and America: In Vino Veritas, Help the
Aged, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, The Moirai, Broadway Baby, Cinderella and That Stocks Will Stand. He
writes for stage, television, radio, film and digital platforms and currently has a number of scripts under
consideration with the BBC, Soho Theatre, Richmond Theatre and independent production companies. More
information can be found at www.vailplays.co.uk.
BECKENHAM THEATRE PRESENTS THIRD PANTOMIME COMMISSION FROM LOCAL PLAYWRIGHT ALEXANDER VAIL
Embargo: 00:01hrs Tuesday 15th December 2009
Opening night: Friday 18th December
Press enquiries: Please contact Fleur Buckley: 020 7957 4709 (daytime);
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
SOME GENERIC PANTO PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS BTC PRODUCTIONS
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