Dronfield Musical Theatre Group’s panto principal hits the heights

Performing arts student Ellie Ashmore has been getting in climbing practice in readiness for her role in Dronfield Musical Theatre Group’s Jack and the Beanstalk.
She had a go on the climbing wall at Dronfield Sports Centre as she prepares to climb the beanstalk to the roof of the Dronfield Civic Hall stage.
Ellie AshmoreEllie Ashmore
Ellie Ashmore

Ellie is a student at Chesterfield College and hopes to go on to university to study musical theatre.

The show starts at the Civic Hall for eight performances over two weekends from Friday, January 16, and it marks more than 40 years of pantomime for the amateur company, formerly known as Dronfield Light Opera Group.

People still love a real old fashioned pantomime for a family night out, and that’s what we’ve been doing for many years,” said director Andrea Powell. “Our audiences know what they like and we aim to please.”

Like most pantomime stories, Jack and the Beanstalk has its origins in myth and legend. It is certainly known to have a history in English folk tales though the first time it appeared in print was in a book by Benjamin Tabart more than 200 years ago.

Since then it has appeared in many fairy anthologies always with an English hero commonly called Jack.

In Dronfield’s version there are the usual stock characters, and,says Andrea, we are keeping the tradition of having a girl, play principal boy.

“But we have one or two surprises up our sleeve which our audiences won’t have seen before. We might be traditional but we keep it fresh with a nod to current trends,” she said.

Tickets £8 and £7 (concessions). Contact 01246 416364 or email: [email protected]

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