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Roald Dahl’s The Witches performed by Nineteen12 Productions

The Dixon Studio, Westcliff on Sea

Tuesday 17th - Saturday 21st February 2015
From the company that brought The Ladykillers to The Dixon Studio last year, Nineteen12 Productions are now full steam ahead for their next show, Roald Dahl’s The Witches.  The play, adapted from Dahl’s classic tale about a heroic Boy-Mouse and his wise Grandmother up against a frightsome gaggle of witches, is being staged from 17th to the 21st February and has already begun to sell extremely well due to its popularity.

The witches really are a detestable breed.  They disguise themselves as lovely ladies, when they secretly want to squish and squelch all the wretched children they despise.  Luckily one boy and his grandmother know how to recognise these vile creatures but can they get rid of them for good?

Claire “Pinkie’ Brooks who is directing the 13 strong cast says that the show will appeal to all ages and thinks that this will be a something that the whole family can enjoy together.  They have been rehearsing since October and they had such a good turn out for the auditions for this show, that they even had to turn 6 people away.  Cast members Sam Thomas along with Harry Neal, Ben Smerdon and Leah-May Keeble, who all gave outstanding performances in Nineteen12’s last production of The Ladykillers, will be returning for this show.  

Ben and Leah will be playing a married couple in the play which, says Pinkie, is quite apt as they recently became engaged.  Naturally, being part of a group who perform at The Palace Theatre, this occasion was made into a huge event as Ben secretly arranged to propose to Leah on the main stage of the theatre.  This was cunningly planned without Leah’s knowledge by the rest of the company and Leah was so shocked, she immediately burst into tears.  Fortunately, she said yes and now the happy couple will be performing as the parents of Sam, who plays Bruno, in The Witches.

Harry Neal, who is playing the Boy, is completely submerging himself into the part 100% and has agreed to wax his legs for the show, since he's meant to be playing a 10 year old boy!  Now that’s what I call committing to a part - and so the company have decided to use this opportunity to raise some money for charity.  All the money raised will go to Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity and if you would like to donate, please go to the following link https://www.justgiving.com/nineteen12 

Being aimed at a younger audience, I ask Pinkie whether it may be too scary for the smaller ones. “It is a little bit scary but it’s silly scary really.  Children will be able to laugh at the witches as they are very daft.  There’s also a lot of visual stuff that the children can look at, such as puppets and moving scenery.”

The company has also introduced a Relaxed Performance during the week.  This performance has been specially adapted for people who may have special needs or who are on the autistic spectrum.  Producer, Michael Rowley, tells me, “I’ve seen other companies providing these performances and I thought it would be a great opportunity for families to attend who perhaps don’t usually get the chance to come and see live theatre.  We will make alterations to the sound volumes and if people feel they need to get up and leave at any time, they can feel perfectly free do so.” “Also,” he adds, “there will be the opportunity to have a small tour of the stage before the show begins.”

There will also be a Signed and Audio described performance and, again, there will be an opportunity to take a tour of the stage, with the chance to hold and touch the props such as puppets and parts of scenery.  

Pinkie’s very good friend, Amberin Huq, has been drafted in to help with the production.  She has been illustrating promotional pictures for the show and has also helped to design two of the puppets.  Pinkie has certainly been a very busy lady; not only is she directing she has also been making costumes for the cast and designing and making puppets.  “There are two mice puppets, a frog and a seagull,” she informs me.  This is as well as the ones she’s making with Amberin. 

Pinkie is one very busy lady and her enthusiasm rubs off on you. In fact she’s recently arranged a trip for the cast.  They have just returned from a trip to the Roald Dahl Museum, where they were given plenty of photo opportunities which they have kindly allowed us to share with MyTownSouthend readers.  

Pinkie tells me that she’s not really a morning person and with rehearsals that have been starting early on a Sunday morning for this show, she imagined that it would be somewhat of a struggle; however, such is the energy and enjoyment of her cast, she says that she is always raring to go and is very much looking forward to getting them on to The Dixon’s stage and in front of an appreciative audience.  Book your tickets quick!


Click here fore The Witches Review   

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