24 youngsters to appear in Hanley panto after audition success
A TOTAL of 24 youngsters will appear in this year's pantomime at The Regent Theatre after wowing judges with their dancing skills.
The chosen few will star alongside Potteries stage star Jonathan Wilkes and former Brookside actress Jennifer Ellison in Robinson Crusoe And The Caribbean Pirates at the Hanley venue after battling through auditions yesterday.
-
The youngsters, aged between six and 16, were whittled down from nearly 200 entries as part of the Search For A Star campaign run by Robinsons and First Family Entertainment.
Choreographers taught the hopefuls a dance routine – incorporating the tap, ballet and street dance needed in the show – in a matter of hours.
The youngsters then performed the dance, in groups, to a panel of judges.
And 24 children were selected, 12 boys and 12 girls, as well as a further four reserves.
Head judge Kevin Wood, First Family Entertainment chief executive, said the children would star in the chorus of the show.
He said: "It's been brilliant throughout and everyone is having a great time.
"The biggest problem with 200 is looking for just 24.
"We weren't looking for the best dancers, but for the best performers.
"Sometimes kids with character win the places rather than the accurate dancers."
Mr Wood said the standard of auditions in the Potteries was always high and he hoped to push as many locals into the panto as possible.
"It's Stoke-on-Trent's pantomime and as many Stoke-on-Trent people as possible should be involved," he said.
"To be successful, any pantomime needs to be bespoke to the city and including local children is a guaranteed way of achieving the celebration of the local culture."
Mr Wood said no other panto company carried out its auditions in the same way.
And he said: "The standard is always high in Stoke-on-Trent because there's a lot of good dance schools.
"There's a lot of opportunity for people in the city and we all love coming here."
Choreographer and judge Joanna Taylor, who is originally from Newcastle, is currently starring in West End show Sweet Charity with former EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite.
She has also starred in The Producers alongside comedian Peter Kay.
She said: "Some of the kids here have never danced before, but they could have a natural flair for it.
"This is also a good chance for kids to make friends and train with professionals, so it's a really good opportunity for them."
The panto will run from December 9 to January 9.
For tickets, call 0844 8717649.
Like this story? Share it with friends
14 Comments
View all
by auditionee,stoke, stoke on trent
Monday, September 20 2010, 1:17PM
“i was at the auditions, i am 13 years old and i also saw the list that was being checked by mr wood. i have gained a place but will not be taking it due to the unfair way that the auditions were carried out, both me and my mum who stayed at the auditions saw it first hand so we cant be accused of lying or trying to take away from other children who were successfull as i was to.there was no chance for other children to get a place apart from a couple as all the places were first filled by wilkes academy and then stokes top talent children. we really hope that the production company get in a new sact next year or dont hold open auditions as theres nothing open about the audition that was held.i feel really sorry for the talent in stoke as its really not given a proper chance by the wilkes at all”
by parent...stoke on trent, stoke
Friday, September 17 2010, 12:23AM
“i would like to say WELL DONE to all the children who got through..u all deserve it...truly deserve it!!! i agree with the parent from longton couldnt of put it better myself...to the its all a fix hanley....u should get your facts right before u write,the child that got took out as u call it was also from the wilkes acad!! i just cant believe some of the comments that some of u had wrote on here...i know there are two sides to every story but.not only are u upsetting the parents of the children that got through,u are upsetting the children...youre not thinking about them are u!!!!!! i would also like to say i think the wilkes acad is brilliant...its helping the kids and leading them to where they want to be in life,it gives them hope and a willingness to do well and to live maybe their dreams one day!! and all some of u can do is to put it down in some way...i think its terriable!! all i ask is to think alittle but u write...children can READ and i know my daughter for one would be very upset to be reading this.....i am really sorry for the kids that didnt get through...but i always say to my daughter u cant win them all...”
by Parent, longton
Thursday, September 16 2010, 2:47PM
“Just like to say all the children who did get through the auditions well done to you all, you all deserve your place in the panto as you are all dedicated to what you do. It is a shame for the children who didnt get through but unfortunatly there is not 200 hundred places!!!! My daughter applied last year and didnt make it, but this year she was successful, so I would just like to say dont be negative as children should not give up on their dreams. Whether the children attend the accademy or not why should they be punished for doing so well at the end of the day they are only children!!! Is it the children that are upset or the parents??? You just have to keep trying for your dream, you cant win everything that is what we should be teaching our children.”
by christine clarkson, snyed green
Thursday, September 16 2010, 9:32AM
“Well bring on the stoke on trent knockers what you are doing with all your negativity is putting down all the hard work of CHILDREN yes CHILDREN who train hard work for their dreams so what if they attend this academy or that dance studio these children deserve OUR support and encouragement i say WELL done to Jonathan wilkes and his Wife and a GREAT BIG THANK YOU from the people of Stoke who can see beyond the bigoted opinions all the performers are very lucky to have you as their ambassadors and i hope you will not let all these negative comments sway you from believing in all the talent in stoke on trent, OH and if you dont like it dont go idiots you will not be missed the rest of us will have a ball.”
by parent, longton
Friday, September 10 2010, 11:09PM
“my daughter aditioned for the panto on sunday and was prepared for the judges decision whatever they were to be but i am very proud to say that she gained a place and she DOES NOT attend the wilkes academy or studio 1!!!!!!!! i find it shocking that someone could say that the people of stoke on trent should not buy tickets for this years panto when 24 children worked hard to gain their place!!!!!!”