Following the recent announcement this year’s production will be the magical tale of ‘Beauty And The Best’, two of last year’s cast have signed to star this year, and you really can say ‘back by popular demand’ as they proved very popular with panto fans.
Multi-talented Andrew Curphey and Rebecca Lake were a hit with theatre goers of all ages, with Brindley staff being told they were two of the performers people would love to see again after the last panto, Sleeping Beauty. So we have made it happen!
Andrew, who will play French Franc, said: “I have loved working at The Brindley for the last couple of pantos. It feels like my second home and I feel honoured so many people want me back. I can promise another glittering show full of fun and surprises!”
Rebecca, who will play Belle, said: “I am really looking forward to playing Belle. It is a role I have wanted to play since I was a little girl. It is like a dream come true. I am already excited.”
The show was also a big hit on social media with more than 500,000 impressions on The Brindley Facebook alone.
People took to Google reviews to praise it last year’s event, Ann Dodd said: “Excellent panto for all the family! Andrew Curphey is the STAR!”. while Kaye Didsbury enthused: “Sleeping Beauty was amazing. My granddaughter loved it, so did I!”
Halton born and bred actor, director, and youth theatre creator Andrew Curphey won rave reviews playing ‘Dandini’ and ‘Chester the Jester’ in the last two pantos.
Having worked extensively delivering theatre workshops and performing for more than 15 years, the multi-skilled Widnes thesp, Andrew, said he was delighted to be returning.
As part of his training, Andrew graduated in 2007 with a BA hons in Drama and Theatre at Chester University and in the years that followed qualified as a teacher.
Over the past ten years the talented former Bankfield and Cronton Sixth Form College pupil has created and continues to manage and direct one of the areas biggest stage schools ‘Andrew Curphey Theatre Company’ with more than 200 children and young people enrolled across evening performing arts and musical theatre classes. The company will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2018-2019.
Each year the company produce three theatre productions that are staged at The Brindley Theatre. Andrew also teaches across many primary schools in Halton.
Andrew also regularly performs his regularly sold out one man show ‘A Mic, Music and Me’ at The Brindley which features song, chat and plenty of humour.
He was also a heat judge in Halton’s Got Talent.
Andrew is super proud to come from Halton and has established himself as a talent the borough can be proud of.
Rebecca is no stranger to Runcorn, playing Cinderella, Princess Aurora and the Slave of The Ring in three years in a row appearing in Halton Borough Council’s panto. She is also a princess in her day job, working in a Disney shop!
The St Helen’s belle is a former Miss British Isles, a title which won her a modelling contract.
A judge on last year’s Halton’s Got Talent, has already packed loads into her short career, having sung with Lu Lu and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees and performed with the English National Ballet, as a lead dancer no less.
A talent from an early age, she started her training at the age of three at the Elizabeth Hill School of Dance, just down the road in St Helens.
At the age of sixteen, Rebecca was given her first professional role as Cinderella in Bolton Albert Hall’s Christmas Pantomime.
While studying Musical Theatre at Pendleton College, she got offered the chance to travel with the English National Ballet as a lead dancer to perform a production of Swanning Around at the Royal Albert Hall in London and represented Great Britain at the World Expo in Shanghai.
Rebecca has always loved dancing but in 2009, she was given the amazing opportunity to sing with Robin Gibb, Lulu and lots of other celebrity singers in aid of The Prince’s Trust.
She has gone on to perform in many different pantomimes and shows both in the North West and down south and graduated with an Honorary Degree in Musical Theatre at Blackpool School of Performing Arts.
She said she was really looking forward to coming to Halton again.
Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for The Arts, Cllr Phil Harris, said: “We are very pleased two of the most popular stars of last year’s show have agreed to sign up again to appear at our Brindley Theatre.
“Why not book early to avoid disappointment and get the best seats!”
Beauty And The Beast, presented by Polka Dot Pantomines, runs from 10 December 2018 to 13 January 2019.