1 CONTENTS Show Information 2 Synopsis 3 Performance Dates 4 Cast and Creatives 5 Cast Headshots and Bios Production Team 6 Press Releases 9 Contacts 10
2 SHOW INFORMATION Title: Jack and the Beanstalk Writer/Director: Tim Lince Running Dates: Wednesday 2 December 2015 Sunday 3 January 2016 Running Time: Estimated 2 hours and 15 minutes, including interval Age Suitability: This is a family production. Tickets: From 10.50-46 for a family ticket This press pack can be downloaded from the Thwaites Empire Theatre website at www.thwaitesempiretheatre.co.uk For further information please contact Ian Holmes on 01254 449 009.
3 SYNOPSIS The Evil Fleshcreep is collecting taxes on behalf of his master (the Giant) and because Dame Tilly Trott has no money, she must sell her beautiful cow Daisy to pay her rent. Jack is tricked into parting with Daisy for a worthless bag of beans and when Fleshcreep returns, he kidnaps the princess-to-be, Giant Blunderbore s wife. Only Jack can save the day and with the help of Fairy Twinkle and the audience. He climbs the Beanstalk to find Daisy and the Princess.
PERFORMANCE DATES 4
5 CAST Fleshcreep King Bumble Princess Poppy Dame Trott Jack CJ de Mooi Kivan Dene Hayley Russell Ian Hayles Stacey Coleman CREATIVES Written & Directed by T.J.Lince (Tim Lince)
6 CAST BIOS Kivan Dene King Bumble Lancashire born Kivan is relishing his return to Blackburn after playing King Rat in last year s Dick Whittington & Abanazer in Aladdin. His previous credits include: Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet (Worcester Repertory Company) Hawker/Raver in The Ale House (Regal Entertainments Ltd) Fred & Rose (Channel 5, Nine Lives Media) Don John/Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, King Rat in Dick Whittington for Qdos (Civic Theatre, Chelmsford). Hayley Russell - Princess Poppy For Hayley it is a welcome return to Pendle after playing the title role in Cinderella at the Lowther Pavilion, Lytham five years ago. She is currently on a festive break from playing the female lead Roxy in a UK and European tour of Vampires Rock Ghost Train. She also took on the lead role of Pandora in Vampires Rock. Previously, she has worked with artists such as Billy Ocean and Gareth Gates. Hayley explained: I hope you all enjoy the show! Remember to boo and cheer as loud as you can and I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas.
7 CAST BIOS Ian Hayles Dame Trott Ian is overjoyed to be working with Pendle Productions for the third year running and is looking forward to his first performance on the stage of the Thwaites Empire. Credits include Doctor Who, Coronation Street and Flashprank for MTV. On stage he has appeared in many different productions in the theatre from Shakespeare (Hamlet; Polonius, A Midsummer Nights Dream; Quince-Lodestar Theatre Co. Twelfth Night; Malvolio-Pentacle Theatre) to Musical Theatre (The Pirates of Mutiny Bay; Sir Edward England-Alton Towers/Merlin Stacey Coleman - Jack Stacey Trained at The Brian Timoney Actors Studio in London, followed by The Hull Actors Studio in Los Angeles. Stacey has had a busy year working for The Storytellers which has included numerous performances at Blackburn Thwaites Empire Theatre and a summer season of outdoor theatre of well-known stories, including Alice in Wonderland and Wind in the Willows. Stacey is looking forward to returning to work with Pendle Productions for a third Christmas for some thigh slapping fun playing Jack, at Blackburn Thwaites Empire Theatre.
8 CAST BIOS CJ de Mooi - Fleshcreep CJ is a professional quizzer, best known as a panellist on the BBC television show Eggheads. CJ moved into professional acting full time in 2011 and has appeared in plays, musicals and pantomimes. In 2014, he performed in and produced two plays by Harvey Fierstein in London's west end and was then cast in the Lazarus Theatre productions of Troilus & Cressida and Coriolanus. Callum Arnott Simple Simon Callum enters into a glorious 14th year of pantomime shenanigans, 8 of which have been right here at the Empire Theatre. It's become a home from home during the Christmas season, and it's always a warm one surrounded by the fantastic Blackburn audiences. Callum has worked in theatre, television, radio and street performing for over 18 professional years covering a wide range of productions. From Shakespeare to modern comedy, pantomime to Greek tragedy.
9 PRESS RELEASE Thwaites Empire Theatre has teamed up with professional theatre company Pendle Productions for this year s GIGANTIC pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk. The upcoming production sees hapless hero Jack Trott land in a heap of trouble when he trades Daisy the Cow for a handful of beans. But with a sprinkle of magic, he s soon on a crazy quest to climb a beanstalk, defeat an evil giant and to find fame and fortune all in a bid to pay off his debt. The action-packed adventure is magically brought to life by a talented cast of performers featuring BBC s Egghead CJ de Mooi as Fleshcreep and Kivan Dene as King Bumble. Chairman of the Empire Theatre, Michael Berry, said: Audiences should expect everything they have come to love from traditional Christmas pantomimes. This dazzling production is guaranteed to get laughs from the adults as well as the children. It will be a perfect show for the whole family to enjoy. Performances begin 2 December 2015 and run through to 3rd January 2016. Tickets cost 9.50 14 and are available at www.thwaitesempiretheatre.co.uk or from the box office 01254 685 500 Monday to Saturday 10am to 12:30pm. Family tickets are also available and cost 42 (two adults two children).
10 CONTACTS Box Office: 01254 685500 Website: www.thwaitesempiretheatre.co.uk For all press enquiries or interview requests please contact: Ian Holmes Press Contact at Square Cactus 01254 449009 Ian.holmes@squarecactus.co.uk Samantha Blackburn Press Contact at Square Cactus 01254 689949 Samantha.blackburn@squarecactus.co.uk