Marina Theatre LowestoftAwash with swash and buckle!
Some of British television’s best-known faces will lead the cast of Lowestoft’s first professional pantomime in almost half a century.
Ken Farrington, best known for his role as Tom King in the popular drama Emmerdale will be joined on stage at the town’s Marina Theatre by Jamie Rickers, presenter of GMTV’s top rating Toonattik in a spectacular production of Peter Pan running from December 11.
Ken Farrington on set of Emmerdale with his screen ‘King’ family (playing Tom King)– photo credit ITV/Yorkshire
Farrington a stalwart of British theatre and also known to millions as Annie Walkers’ wayward son Billy in Coronation Street and Rickers who regularly attracts vast audiences to his popular children’s television show will head the cast which is being produced by the team behind the stage version of Disney’s Beauty & The Beast.
Ken Farrington (on set of Coronation Street in 1978 – playing Billy Walker)– photo credit ITV/Granada
Taking the role of the villainous Captain Hook, Farrington said this week, “After over 45 years in the business I’m am absolutely delighted to be making my pantomime debut at the Marina Theatre and very much looking forward to trying out my evil Captain Hook on the people of Lowestoft. They’d better watch out!”
Jamie Rickers – photo credit GMTV
Jamie Rickers said: “I am thrilled to have been invited to appear in Lowestoft especially in a town that hasn’t staged a full scale pantomime for many years. It is not only a great honour but an exciting challenge. I have many friends in the area and am really looking forward to making lots of new ones over my time with you all”.
Hollyoaks regular Sarah Jane Buckley takes the role of Mrs Darling and the company will be further enhanced by the Nitwits Acrobatic Troupe, live musicians and dancers.
Peter Pan will be the first resident professional pantomime in the town since the early 1960s and marks a dramatic turnaround in the fortunes of the Marina which in recent years has seen audiences treble as its management has brought in major touring musicals, high profile artistes, professional drama, ballet, opera and since 2005 the venue has been the regional residence of the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Tickets for Peter Pan are now available and start at just £5 each with concessions available for the over 60s, children and students. Family tickets and generous party rates are also available. In addition a number of shows have been specially scheduled to allow for school parties and on December 30 there will also be a sign language interpreted performance.
Marina Manager Martin Halliday said “We are delighted to announce such a strong cast for our first pantomime, the company behind the production have an excellent reputation and we believe our ticket pricing offers great value for money, we have come a long way over the past few years and see a major pantomime as the final piece of the jigsaw in our audience development. At last people will no longer have to travel hundreds of miles in the search for high quality, affordable family entertainment”.
Martin Dodd for producers, UK Productions added “UK Productions are delighted and extremely honoured to have been chosen to bring professional pantomime back to Lowestoft. We are looking forward to working with the management of the Marina Theatre to present an exciting and lavish production of one of the greatest stories ever told – Peter Pan, which will not only contain all of the traditional pantomime production values, but will also make use of our high tech CGI (computer generated imagery), to really bring to life those flying sequences. Star names, lavish sets and costumes, 21st century technology, and a rip roaring swash buckling adventure…don’t miss it!”
Waveney District Councillor Stephen Ardley, portfolio holder for health and well being with responsibility for the Marina said, “I am particularly delighted that the Marina has been able to attract such a strong cast together with such a prestigious production company for its first pantomime. Peter Pan will be a huge boost to both the economy of the town and wider district and assist greatly with tourism in the area”.
