Chairman’s Notes March 2017 We have a lot to get through this evening with the re-election of the committee on the agenda, so I want to be brief-ish. As always it is worth pointing out how much of a success this year’s production of Aladdin was. Another sell out, delighted audiences and a cast and crew that undoubtedly enjoyed putting the show on. Most of you will know, but some of you will not, that we were independently reviewed half way through the run. Continue reading →{"id":784,"date":"2017-04-08T12:22:57","date_gmt":"2017-04-08T12:22:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.standrewspanto.uk\/?p=784"},"modified":"2017-04-08T12:22:57","modified_gmt":"2017-04-08T12:22:57","slug":"chairmans-report-from-agm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.standrewspanto.uk\/?p=784","title":{"rendered":"Chairman’s Report from AGM"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chairman\u2019s Notes March 2017<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

We have a lot to get through this evening with the re-election of the committee on the agenda, so I want to be brief-ish.<\/p>\n

As always it is worth pointing out how much of a success this year\u2019s production of Aladdin was. Another sell out, delighted audiences and a cast and crew that undoubtedly enjoyed putting the show on.<\/p>\n

Most of you will know, but some of you will not, that we were independently reviewed half way through the run. So I thought I would use the words of the review to sum up this year\u2019s show.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been meaning to see the <\/em><\/strong>St Andrew\u2019s Pantomime<\/em><\/strong><\/a> since I moved to Beeston but I\u2019ve always left it too late. I\u2019d heard it was good but my previous experience of amateur dramatics has been mixed. And I have memories of taking part in Cinderella when I was a vicar in Seacroft \u2013 we enjoyed doing it but I\u2019m not sure about the audience\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

So last Saturday night (21 January 2017) I walked down to St Andrew\u2019s not sure what I\u2019d find. Bumping into a neighbour in the Co-op I told her where I was off to. Her eyes lit up \u2013 she\u2019d been that afternoon and praised the performance: wonderful costumes, she added. Good start, I thought.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

And I wasn\u2019t disappointed. The costumes were amazing, but they weren\u2019t the only great thing about this excellent production. A cast of nearly 40, from tinies to significantly older actors, gave us a massively enjoyable evening. The participation and applause showed how much everyone, including the cast, was enjoying themselves, and the audience had an even greater age range. It\u2019s good to see younger ones involved, and there is great potential for future leading actors.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

There were too many good performances to mention them all, though I particularly enjoyed the delightful genie, and the policemen added to the laughter. I commend the choreographer \u2013 the dancing was excellent. I\u2019d like to thank the whole back stage team, musicians, and front of house folk; a production like this is a huge team effort. Your hard work showed in the professionalism of the production.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

If I was to be nitpicking I could mention that some voices were a little hard to hear, but this in no way took away from the enjoyment. The action was fast paced and visual which kept our interest, and the story was easy to follow.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

So my verdict? When does booking open for next year \u2013 I\u2019ll definitely want tickets!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

So all good, and to be honest it\u2019s been good for the past 47 years \u2013 and yes we are 50 years old in 2020, so we need a big celebration then. But for now we need to keep the Group active, enthused and willing to continue putting on such a wonderful community event year after year.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

It is easier said than done, because despite the outcome of our collective effort resulting in a fantastic show that is renowned, and looked forward to by so many \u2026 putting it on is simply down to people. You don\u2019t keep going for 50 years by relying on the same individuals throughout that time. The Group\u2019s continuity is attained by a stream of people in all types of role stepping up to the plate and taking something on.<\/p>\n

So whether it\u2019s back stage where Brian Ferguson was at the helm for so long, but since then we have had Steven Bostrich, Nicky Roddy and more recently Dave George take on those duties, or the hugely important role of Dame where George Poppleton, gave way to Fed Dawson before Mike Lowell and then our current dame, Bill. Each one was seen as irreplaceable when they were doing the job, but, in the past, when time has dictated we always prove that we can indeed move on.<\/p>\n