Pocket picks up 6 Curtain Call Noms!

 

Pocket Theatre is delighted to be recognised with six Southern Daily Echo Curtain Call Nominations for shows in 2013. The "Oscars of the South" will be presented on January 31st next year.

The Pocket nominations are:

Best Choreographer - Natalie Thorn for Fame, Pocket Broadway - Superb ballet duos. Superbly choreographed numbers, encompassing various styles.

Best Actor in a Musical - Nick Rew as Schlomo in Fame, Pocket Broadway - His talent knows no bounds.

Best Performance in an Opera - Natalie Thorn as Lady Sophy in Utopia Ltd, Pocket G&S. A star among a very talented cast.

Best Performance in an Opera - Mark Ponsford as The Judge in Trial By Jury, Pocket G&S. He stole the show, perhaps taking Ronnie Corbett as his inspiration?

Best Performance in an Opera - Mark Ponsford as Scaphio and Shaun Dodimead as Phantis in Utopia Ltd, Pocket G&S. They had the audience rocking with laughter.

Yes, you did read that correctly – after 15 years Shaun Dodimead has actually been nominated for a Curtain Call Award. It’s like Christmas Day for the dear old chap.

 

 

 

 

 

Grand Duke Cast Announced

A full cast has now been announced for Pocket G&S's production of The Grand Duke which opens at Hanger Farm next summer before transfering to the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Harrogate via Lockerley Village Hall. The show will be set in 2014 and centres around a company of actors performing a Shakesperian musical comedy.

Directed by David Tatnall with Martin Paterson as MD the show will feature Pocket regulars Mark Ponsford as leading comedian Ludwig, Adrian Hickford as Grand Duke Rudolph, Anne Croudass as Baroness von Krakenfeldt, Shaun Dodimead as The Notary and Matthew Sturgeon and Lisa Axworthy as The Prince and Princess of Monte Carlo respectively.

Emma Press will make her Pocket debut in the role of theatrical ingenueLisa, Abygail Miller makes her first outing in G&S colours as Bertha whilst Annie Tatnall returns to play prima donna Julia Jelicoe. Lucy Whiteman and Louise Hodson play Gretchen and Martha with David Putley bringing his own unique touch to the classic cameo role of The Herald. David Tatnall also plays theatrical manager Ernest Dummkopf.

Sweeney Cast Announced

Pocket favourite Matthew Sturgeon will star in the title role of Katherine Evans's production of Sweeney Todd which takes to the stage next April. He will play opposite Annie Tatnall as Mrs Lovett who returns to the Pocket stage following a break of eighteen months to concentrate on her own special little production.

Other Pocket regulars in the cast include Shaun Dodimead, who will play Judge Turpin, David Putley as Beadle Bamford and director Katherine Evans, who will also appear as Joanna. There will be several Pocket debuts including Andrew Morgan as Anthony, George Lambourne as Tobias, Abygail Miller as Pirelli and Alison Bradley as The Beggar Woman. Eve Lethbridge, Chris Morgan and Chris Evans make up the ensemble.

Trial by Jury and The Zoo Next Week

The next show by Pocket G&S is just one week away! Trial by Jury and The Zoo combine many of Sullivan's best tunes with a host of Gilbertian characters and bonkers storylines that will have you laughing all the way to the bar.

Cast includes Adrian "Grinder, it's Grinder" Hickford, Louise "I broke my leg" Hodson, Mark "double bogey" Ponsford, Shaun "where am I?" Dodimead, Anne "Dumbo" Croudass, Owen "was that a wig?" Perring, Lucy "here on my kneel" Whiteman, Vicky "simple little child" Dodimead, David "somebody just kick the chair" Tatnall, Chris "burglary" Evans, Keziah "what are the black notes for?" Jacombs, Dave "the lionheart" Turner, Michael "just like a father" Cooper, Lisa "spank me" Axworthy and Katherine "Gaga" Evans.

Don't miss your chance to see it by booking now on http://www.totton.ac.uk/hanger-farm/whats-on-at-hanger-farm/trial-by-jury-and-the-zoo.aspx

2014 Season Announced!

 

The 2014 Pocket Season will feature productions of Sweeney Todd, The Grand Duke and Cinderella, the first Pocket Panto.

 

Pocket Broadway begins the season with a production of Sweeney Todd, Stephen Sondheim's darkest and most popular musical comedy, from April 8th to 11th at Hanger Farm Arts Centre. The show will be directed by Katherine Evans with Martin Paterson as Musical Director. This new production by Evans will be an innovative reimagining of the classic musical with a very small cast in the intimate setting of Hanger Farm. This concept draws on the author's original intentions for the show as a chamber piece when it was first conceived in 1979.

 

The ever popular Pocket G&S return in the summer with a production of the very final collaboration between the immortal partnership, The Grand Duke, from July 22nd to 25th at Hanger Farm Arts Centre. This production will also be toured to several other venues including a performance at The 21st International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival at The Harrogate Theatre, Harrogate on Sunday 17th August. Gilbert’s outrageous characters and Sullivan’s sumptuous score will be brought bang up to date in a modern day setting. Director David Tatnall promises an evening of jovial Germans, egotistical Englishmen, fabulous Frenchmen, showbiz, sex and sausage rolls!

 

Pocket Panto will be arriving on the Pocket scene next Christmas with Cinderella, a traditional family pantomime that fits into your Pocket, at Hanger Farm Arts Centre on December 13th and 14th! Come along and meet Cinders, Prince Charming, Buttons and the ugliest sisters this side of Woolston! Written and directed by David and Richard Tatnall this show will feature everything you need for the perfect seasonal theatrical treat for all the family!

 

More information, including casting for all three productions, will be announced very soon.

 

Additional information