Spotlight's panto plans

THE Beccles Spotlight Musical Theatre Group are establishing quite a reputation these days for working with local playwrights, musicians and directors to produce original stage shows.

Hot on the heels of the musical, Heavens Below!, written and directed by Stephen Picton and composer, Mark Willment, the company has turned to two other local creators of musical theatre for their forthcoming Christmas pantomime offering, Sinbad the Sailor.

Bob Bishop, whose first novel A Tickle Amongst the Cornstalks was published by Authorhouse UK earlier this year, was for over 20 the driving force of the Fossick Theatre of Laughter and the associated fringe group, The Fossick Valley Fumblers.

Bob is the author of more than 20 stage plays, and his collaboration with Suffolk musical maestro, Bob McNeil Watson, goes back more than years to when they were both dynamic young teachers at the Stalham High School in Norfolk.

Together the duo have written and staged many successful pantomimes and musicals, and this new production reunites them after a working separation of several years.

Mr Bishop said of Spotlight “They're a dynamic company with a wealth of acting and singing talents, a good balance of ages and a strong group identity. I was spoilt for choice when casting the show, and think they're going to be a rewarding company to work with.”

Casting of the main roles for the show, which will run from December 7 to 11 at the Public Hall, is now complete, but rehearsals do not start until early September, when the company would be delighted to welcome new members for the chorus, and especially anyone who would like to help out in the wardrobe and back-stage departments.

Rehearsals are normally held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Quaker Hall in Beccles, and anyone who might be interested in joining the company is invited to come along to the Quaker Hall, or visit the website www.spotlightbeccles.org .uk for further details.