Familiar face returns to Street stage after 15-year break

A familiar mid-Somerset face is returning to the stage at Strode Theatre, in Street, this Christmas for what is expected to be one of the area's most popular pantomimes.

Local photographer Dave Titchener will be donning an array of colourful dresses as he treads the boards once more as Nurse Hettie Harpic – after a 15-year break from Strode.

Dave has been a familiar, local character, not only for his roles on stage but also through his career, with many a local wedding, family and school photograph snapped by the Street-based photographer.

Dave will perform alongside a packed cast of almost 50 performers from across Somerset for Glastonbury and Street Musical Comedy Society's Sleeping Beauty. Some young, some not so, and some new faces will be joining this year's panto.

Among the leading cast are Cherry Lewis as Witch Hazel, Becky Cook as Fairy Lilac, Christian Lockyer as palace handyman Muddles, Elisha Webster as Princess Rose, Lottie Gilby as young Rose, Emma Powell as Prince Alexis, Matt Turner as King Cactus, Jo Turley as Queen Marigold, and comedy duo Matt Wilson as Fetch and Glynn Webster as Carry.

The line-up is joined by a talented cast of dancers and singers who have been put through their paces since rehearsals began in September, by choreographer Shelley Smith and musical director Shaun Rigby.

Director Brian Epps, who has been performing since the 1960s and directing shows since the 1980s, said: "We have a fantastic team behind this year's pantomime, which is packed to the rafters with toe-tapping songs, old and new, energetic choreography throughout and spellbinding fun and laughter.

"We literally haven't given any cast member a rest this year. I've ensured everyone is involved.

"Even watching the rehearsals has been shattering; there's so much going on throughout the whole two-hour show.

"Pantos to me are about energy and connecting with the audience, and this year's Sleeping Beauty has this in spades.

"Trust me, there's only one person who will be sleeping during this show, and that's our Beauty."

Sleeping Beauty tells the story of the arrival in Muddleby-on-Marsh of a new royal princess. While the party gets in full swing to celebrate her 16th birthday, not everything is so rosy.

Still bitter that the palace pages Fetch and Carry failed to deliver her Christening invite, Bad Witch Hazel is set to get her revenge.

Before Fairy Lilac has the chance to bless baby Rose, evil descends on the village when the sinister witch casts her curse on the innocent girl.

And as everyone awaits the stroke of midnight on her 16th birthday, nobody realises that teenager Rose will soon, quite literally, be away with the fairies for 100 years.

The show is packed with 16 songs from chart hits to musical numbers, including tunes from Waitress, Matilda, Everybody's Talking About Jamie and The Wiz, and from singers including Pink, Elton John, the Spice Girls and Pharrell Williams. There is even a chance for the audience to get up on their feet during the disco finale.

Glastonbury and Street Musical Comedy Society, which is famed locally for its award-winning The Addams Family, Witches of Eastwick and Beauty and the Beast productions, has been producing pantomimes at Strode Theatre for almost 10 years, and has raised thousands of pounds for the theatre, as well as funding its annual pantomime and spring musical. Next April's musical is The Full Monty.

Sleeping Beauty is performed between December 27 and January 1, with a 2pm matinee show on most days.

Tickets cost £15 for adults (concessions £14) and £10 for under 16s. A family ticket (two adults and two children) costs £46.

Party bookings get one free ticket in every 10. Tickets can be bought on the Strode Theatre website via the red button below.