A pantomime written by

Bruce Gardner

PRESENTS

Any Lambeg Show would be incomplete without music...

From early September last year, our Musical Director, Michael McCormick has patiently guided us through the varied programme of music we present tonight. The long nights spent rehearsing in Lambeg over the last four months, and the effort put in by all of us, have just one aim - to present a great night of entertainment. You be the judge as we ask you to sit back and relax as we present “Aladdin”.

Michael McCormick MUSICAL DIRECTOR

A Message from our Chairman Welcome to this year’s Lambeg Players’ production of Aladdin.

After last year’s somewhat off-the-wall panto which was set in the wild west, we are returning to tradition this year with the evergreen Aladdin. As there is a recession on, we will not be flying in on magic

carpets but we do hope to make your spirits soar with much mirth and merry making. For the first time, we have brought in a professional producer so we hope you enjoy the production and direction by Simon Cunningham.

As always, I would like, on behalf of all the members of the group, to say a particular thanks to Michael McCormick for playing at every rehearsal and co-ordinating all music, to Alastair Dickson for his hard work as stage manager and to Jasper McKinney for the creative work on sets and props. To my wife Catherine and her costume team Joan, Della, Fiona and Roberta, to Laura Kerr and my daughter Karen for choreography, to Henry Brown for being such a great business manager and to Ellen Hillen for her tireless marketing push.

To Karen Webb for looking after the membership and reading in for every absentee at rehearsals!I would also like to thank my brother Paul for his usual enthusiasm, support and going the extra mile in general.

And last but definitely not least – a major thank you to Fiona Dickson for her amazing multi-tasking and huge contribution to most things without ever having to be asked.

We hope you get as much enjoyment out of watching this show as we had creating it. Ian Bennington CHAIRMAN

The ProducerThis year the Lambeg Players welcome Simon Cunningham as producer. Simon is no stranger to the NI stage, both on and off it. In fact, he has over 20 years experience behind him on the amateur and professional stages.

His favourite acting roles include Gerald (Me and My Girl), Production Tenor (Singin

In The Rain), Nicely Johnson, Arvide and Sky (Guys and Dolls), Charlie (Brigadoon), Jacob (Joseph), Nick (Fame - The Musical), Freddie (My Fair Lady), Perchik (Fiddler On The Roof), Dame Trott (Goldilocks and the Three Bears), Marius (Les Miserables), Judas and Peter (Jesus Christ Superstar), Roger (Rent), Bird Seller (Sweeney Todd), Pish Tush (The Mikado), Curly (Oklahoma), Murdoch (Titanic) and Eddie (Blood Brothers). He has also been seen in The Witches of Eastwick, Calamity Jane, Boogie Nights and Chess.

Simon has also had appearances in Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs and Jack and the Beanstalk in the Grand Opera House. Directing and choreographing credits include Joseph, Annie, Broadway Nights, Broadway Fever, Jet Set Go, Cabaret Nights, Blood Brothers and in 2013 ‘Allo ‘Allo, The Full Monty Musical, Dracula The Musical and The Merchant Of Venice. Simon’s film and recording credits include the film Wasteland, cast recording of On Eagles Wing and Celtic Rhythm.

Simon also runs Showcase Productions NI, a Northern Ireland based Production Company producing many shows every year throughout Northern Ireland. 2014 will hopefully see Showcase Productions NI taking workshops and productions to North America and Canada. Simon is absolutely delighted to be working alongside such a talented cast and production team with Aladdin and it has been a lifelong dream of his to work with Lambeg Players.

Simon Cunningham PRODUCER

Welcome from

In the tradition of the company, Lambeg Players have given this well known story a little tweak. However, we have kept the romantic love story between the rich princess and the pauper hero, Aladdin, the constant battle between good and evil, and of course a ridiculously larger than life dame. The story is played out on the streets of Peking, in Widow Twankey’s Laundry, on the foreboding Dragon Mountain and in the Emperor Sang-Wun-Song’s Imperial Palace.

The Plot

Is Abanazar truly a “bad bad man”?

Will love triumph over class differences?

Can our intrepid policemen catch a cold, let alone a criminal?

Will the Genie escape from the lamp or forever be trapped in a LED?

Are there any dragons in Dragon Mountain or just aspiring entrepreneurs?

Can you still get fried rice with number 69?

Will Widow Twankey give you a free tumble dry if you wash your whites and colours separately?

Will the Emperor get a new costume for the finale or will it be like Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy story?

Prepare to cover your eyes!!!

ACT ONE

Scene 1 – Main Street, Old PekingScene 2 – The Imperial PalaceScene 3 – Main Street, Old PekingScene 4 – The North GateScene 5 – Dragon Mountain

ACT TWO

Scene 1 – Widow Twankey’s Wash-A-RamaScene 2 – The Imperial PalaceScene 3 – Main Street, Old PekingScene 4 – The Police StationScene 5 – The Imperial Palace

Abanazar - A cruel greedy warlord ................... Paul BenningtonWee-Keed - Aide to Abanazar ............................ Ian BenningtonHi-Wong - Aide to Abanazar ........................................ Laura KerrMee-Nas-Tee - Captain of Peking Police .............. Gillian CherryWidow Twankey - Owner of local supermarket .. Wilnor TennantWishee-Washee - Youngest son of Widow Twankey ................... ..................................................................................... Sarah BeattieStopie - Police Constable .................................... Patrick BoomerLookee - Police Constable ............................ Christopher CherryLee-Sun - Police Constable ........................... Joshua ColquhounAladdin - Our hero ..................................................... Joanne LawPrincess Li-Chee .................................................. Caroline WebbPhee-Ling - Handmaiden to Princess ............ Karen BenningtonEmperor Sang-Wun-Song ...................................... Winston KerrThe Genie of the Lamp ........................................ Noel Marsden

Chorus – Citizens of Peking, Laundry Workers, Palace Servants, Cave Spirits ....................................................................

Nicola Brown, Nicole Buckingham, Beth Craig Alexandra Dickson, Eve Dickson, Fiona Dickson, Katy Haskins

Ellen Hillen, Beth McCrossan, Sian McCullough, Anna McKinney James Marsden, Jane Morrow, Bethan Pollard, Molly Simpson

Clayton Taylor, Joan Turkington, Rebecca Weir

Behind the ScenesProducer ....................................................... Simon CunninghamMusical Director .......................................... Michael McCormickChoreography ...............................Karen Bennington, Laura Kerr Simon Cunningham, Sharon HendronStage Manager ................................................... Alastair DicksonLighting .......................... Dermott McCurdy, Katherine McCurdyProjection ............................................................. Della McKinneySound ............................................. Geoff Clarke (Soundcraft AV)Costume .............................. Catherine Bennington, Joan Brown .................. Fiona Dickson, Della McKinney, Roberta BenningtonSet Construction .......................... Alastair Dickson, John Clarke .............................................................................. Jasper McKinney Special Scenery & Props ................................. Jasper McKinneyRehearsal Accompanist .............................. Michael McCormickBand ............................................. Michael McCormick Keyboards Kevin Sage Keyboards, Guitar Conor Sage Guitar Des Sage Bass Billy McIlwaine Drums

Programme Design ..................... Ian Bennington, Henry BrownBusiness Manager ................................................... Henry BrownMarkjeting team ............................... Ellen Hillen, Fiona Dickson Ian Bennington, Henry BrownBackstage Team and Front of House ..........................................

Colin Agar, Sandra Brown, Jackie Brown, Joan Brown Andrew Brown, Roberta Bennington, Peter Bennington

Colin Boyd, Liz Boyd, Barbara Carson, Tom Carson John Clarke, Emma Dickson, Angela McCurdy, Tim Webb

Lambeg Players would like to thank the following:Banbridge Musical SocietyBelvoir PlayersChris Hill (photographer)Lakeland Store, Boucher RoadTriplicate Design

Costume Team. Della McKinney, Joan Brown and Fiona Dickson (team leader Catherine Bennington absent).

Gillian and her three incompetent policemen.

Ian and Laura shocked to see a real Genie.

The Cast & Crew

If you cannot sing in tune just sing loud.

It’s rude to point.

The young chorus... ...not so young chorus.

Laura and Ian not off book yet

Karen Webb reading in for yet another part.

The Full Cast and Company of . . .

The Full Cast and Company of . . .

Paul Bennington … Abanazar

Paul is a well known face in Lambeg productions and has taken part in many plays and pantomimes. He has also produced many of our shows over the years. Paul played the part of the hen pecked Patrick Hall in “Family Fever” making the role his own with a strong Ballymena accent and antics on the stage and also played a leading part in last summer’s production “Cupid Wore Skirts”. In the production “Stop it Nurse” he played Sammy McCracken, the obsessive Linfield supporter. He was able to apply a lot of the background knowledge he gains from managing the Banbridge Town Under 16 soccer team. They got through to the Final this year on New Year’s Day and Paul was ‘over the moon’.

Ian Bennington … Wee-Keed

Ian has been involved with Lambeg Players for more years than he, or anyone else, can remember both in an acting and producing role. He is also a member of the Belfast Operatic Company taking part in their epic “Titanic the Musical” production in the ship’s centenary year. His favourite pantomime roles include Buttons, Mr Tickles and Wishy Washy, though this year discretion has led him to pass this role to someone else. He has particularly enjoyed playing the dim witted Willie Beattie in Sam Cree’s hilarious “Family Fever” A keen poet and cook in his spare time, Ian is always showing off his talent to the delight of the Players. Rumour has it he is appearing in the next series of Celebrity Master Chef!

Laura Kerr … Hi-Wong

A longstanding member of both Lambeg Players and Belfast Operatic Company, Laura has played leading roles in musicals, pantomimes and plays for many years and has also produced some of our recent productions. As a teacher in Pond Park Primary School, Laura is heavily involved with the school choir and their musical productions that always receive rave reviews. She also leads the youth choir in the Salvation Army. Laura is renowned for her portrayal of Dolly Levi in both Belfast Operatic Company’s and the National Theatre Dublin’s productions of “Hello Dolly” and also featured in the centenary staging of “Titanic the Musical” by Belfast Operatic Company. One of her greatest unfulfilled ambitions is to star alongside her daughter Lucy. However, she has to put up with Ian in the meantime!

Gillian Cherry … Me-Nas-Tee Gillian joined the Lambeg Players in her late teens and has continued to take on roles in many pantomimes and plays, apart from when she took a break to have her children. The funny thing is Gillian originally thought the Players was a football team and believed that we were going to be an outlet for her passion and undoubted football talent. All was not lost as the Lambeg Players have an annual football match in Portrush where Gillian stars alongside her talented sons. One of Gillian’s favourite roles on stage is that of Emily Beattie in “Family Fever’’, closely followed by the ward sister in “Stop It Nurse”.

Cast Biographies

Wilnor Tennant … Widow Twankey

Wilnor made his debut with Lambeg Players six years ago as tropical island king, Chief Yum Tum in “Robinson Crusoe” but has not played a male character since. He has enjoyed the roles of all the major pantomime dames clocking up yet another this year as Widow Twankey. He has worked with many Christian drama groups both performing in and producing shows put on as far apart as Kenya, Romania and Canada. Wilnor has close connections with the Amazon Outreach Project which works with disadvantaged young people in Brazil, a charity previously supported by Lambeg Players. Wilnor is a man of great energy – as well as rehearsing our show, he has been directing and starring in another pantomime staged before Christmas! Go Wilnor!

Sarah Beattie … Wishee-Washee

Sarah has featured in many of our productions including “Beauty and the Beast” and “Frankenstein meets Robin Hood”, not to mention the role of James the Jessie in last year’s “Panto at the OK Corral”. Play credits include “Second Honeymoon” and “Post Horn Gallop”. Outside of dramatic activities she is busy looking after two children, two dogs, one husband and working as a physio. Hopefully her professional services will not be required during the run of the show!

Patrick Boomer … Police Constable

Patrick has taken part in Lambeg Players’ pantomimes since 2004 ,debuting in “Robinson Crusoe”. For once this year’s role is suited to his 6 foot 6 height! Last year he was part of the pantomime horse and as a result, the constant bending over gave him a bad back. He has been involved in his school’s dramatic productions including several musicals and Shakespeare’s ‘’A Midsummer Night’s Dream’’. He is very keen on rugby, rowing and has a voracious appetite for food. Next year he hopes to row to, sorry, I mean IN, Australia.

Christopher Cherry … Police Constable

Chris joined the Lambeg Players last summer to take on the role of Brian in “Cupid Wore Skirts” and is now looking forward to making his panto debut. He has taken part in his school productions of “Mary Poppins” and “Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory”. In his spare time when not studying for his “A” levels, he is a dab hand at ice hockey.

Joshua Colquhoun … Police Constable

Joshua is a keen exponent of the dramatic arts having taken part in school productions of “My Fair Lady” and “West Side Story”, as well as several Lambeg Players pantos. He has accused the producer of typecasting him this year as a policeman (he is studying criminology at University of Ulster) and last year, as the back end of the pantomime horse!

Noel Marsden … The Genie of the Lamp

Noel only came along to our first rehearsal to bring his son and ended up auditioning. So impressed was the producer that he landed the role of the Genie in his first ever pantomime. However, he has vast experience of performing having played piano, guitar and sung in a band for many years. He also writes songs and nearly penned a chart topper for Westlife!

Winston Kerr … Emperor Sang-Wun-Song

Winston (aka Mr six-pack) has been a regular feature of our pantos for several years, usually without stretching the costume budget too much. He often plays the villain having taken the roles of Jester Sneer in “Wee Willie Winkie”, Sherriff of Nottingham in “Babes in the Wood”, Baron in “Cinderella” and Nicodemus in “Beauty and the Beast”. Last year there was a bit of “typecasting” as he played Running Bear in “Panto at the OK Corral”. Play credits include Mervyn in the “Mating Season” and Walter in “Second Honeymoon”. In his spare time he has been known to kick a mean football but has turned down the overtures from Sir Alex so he can take part in Aladdin.

Karen Bennington … Phee-Ling

Karen has been involved with Lambeg Players from a very early age as she literally followed in her father Ian’s footsteps. This is now her eighth panto and she has had parts in our last two plays, most recently “Cupid Wore Skirts”. She is heavily involved with Methodist College Belfast Chapel and Girls Choir (RTE Choir of the Year & UK Youth Choir of the Year 2012) – and Music Theatre 4 Youth. She has provided choreography for Junior School Musicals and Lambeg Players. However, her real passion is cooking and baking with – she has a burning ambition to win the Great British Bake-Off.

Caroline Webb … Princess Li-Chee

Caroline has taken part in Lambeg Players’ pantos since 2006 and last year formed a successful partnership with Karen Bennington (Buttons & Bows) that has been renewed this year. She has also taken part in HunterHouse College’s productions of “Blood Brothers” and” Dracula Spectacular” and ACTS’ staging of “Moses, Prince of Egypt” and “Prodigal”.

Joanne Law … Aladdin

Joanne has now appeared in four Lambeg Players’ pantomimes with a leading role in her last two shows. Last year she played Calamity Jane in “Panto at the OK Corral”. She has also featured in HunterHouse College’s productions of “Blast Off” (2007), “Dracula Spectacular”(2008), “Blood Brothers”(2009) and “Romeo and Juliet”(2011). When not treading the boards, she follows her sporting interests of hockey and tennis.

Cast Biographies continueed...

For many years Lambeg Players have worked with a variety of groups to raise funds for charity. This symbiotic relationship has raised well over £80,000 in recent years. Initially, we started out helping local churches by performing plays and pantomimes in their church halls. More recently we have diversified to collaborate with other charities, some of whom are listed below.

Salvation ArmyCystic Fibrosis TrustScouting in MalawiThe Tsunami AppealChildren’s HospiceCLIC SargentOasis Village Orphanage in ZambiaOutReach Amazon in BrazilNI Kidney ResearchAsha-IndiaMeningitis ResearchChurch Army

This year the following charities/groups have helped us to sell tickets while raising much needed funds for themselves.

Lisburn Cathedral Building FundHillsborough Presbyterian ChurchOasis Village Orphanage in ZambiaBrookmount Dance RanchPraxis CareMagheragall Church Lads’ Brigade & Church Girls’ BrigadeMitre TrustBallymacash Scout GroupSt. Colman’s Parish ChurchLagan Valley Rotary ClubMasonic Widows’ Charity

Traditionally after our last two evening shows we have an “Orange Bucket” collection for a chosen charity. This year we will be sharing the proceeds between Lupus UK, and NI Children’s Hospice. Details of these two worthy causes are given below. All donations will be gratefully received.

This year we have two families in our cast who have been affected by Lupus. This is an incurable immune system illness which causes joint and muscle pain and can affect the body’s organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys and skin. It is often characterised by a butterfly-shaped rash on the face. Lupus cannot be cured, but it can be controlled by medication. However, it is a difficult illness to diagnose because of the variety of symptoms which are similar to other illnesses (such as arthritis). Quick and accurate diagnosis is essential to prevent long term damage to organs. By donating to Lupus UK, you will help raise awareness of this illness and help with the search for a cure. Thank you.

Children’s Hospice

Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice cares for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and supports their families and those close to them. Care is provided across Northern Ireland. There are over 750 life-limited children and young people living in Northern Ireland. Life- limiting conditions include conditions such as Muscular Dystrophy and genetic disorders such as Batten’s Disease, and life-threatening conditions such as cancer and heart disease. These children have very complex needs, often requiring 24 hour care and many will die before reaching adulthood.

Lambeg Players & Charity

Abanazar Aladdin BowsButtons Cinderella Dance Dragon Mountain Emperor Genie Lambeg Players Laundry Lisburn MusicNew Year PantoPekingPortrushPrincessSnow White Widow Twankey

Z F H U O G J A R Q U B M S A G L I P ZO J L E N Y W I D O W T W A N K E Y Q XG S T F T D A A S S G N I K E P K L O LP S Q W A V A J O C C K A U K L N N N XO E T Y P H C N U I I S D I L Q M S E ER C J J E I H R C M N N X Z L E B A W TT N P O S L M Y R E A T D O I U F D Y WR I C U B V R S D Q G B I E R L A J E FU R M E W D G D J M Q O T N R E P O A FS P X B N M A Z X W Y W O U D E A L R KH F G U T L W I P A J S D L V B L F E IZ R A S A A H K N C E A N D K A Y L W RX L D N I A T N U O M N O G A R D J A RE P O R T D H V G E I P F H J Q L B C AP A F T N M S R E N U M B U T T O N S ZI R O R E P M E N W F G M U S O Z F K AR W I T D G K B I S N O W W H I T E C NL P O F W T B N E J K S M Q I D A L D AY T M S R E Y A L P G E B M A L U T Y BL D E Q U I J N F K O O L A B T Y E H A

Look out for our next production “When We Are Married” by JB Priestley, which the Lambeg Players will take “on tour” in the spring and summer. This season, for the first time, Lambeg Players will be directed professionally in this play by the multi-award winning director Wilfie Pyper so don’t miss it. Catch this classic comedy in Harmony Hill Lisburn, Ballyearl Courtyard Theatre and the Portrush Town Hall.

This year we are again going on tour with our play and will perform as follows:

Harmony Hill Lisburn – in May

Ballyearl, Courtyard Theatre - in August

Portrush Summer Theatre - in August

Watch out for date confirmation at www.lambegplayers.com

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Lambeg Players go on Tour