As part of their 30th anniversary, members of the Whitley Bay Pantomime Society perform ‘Aladdin’ at the Playhouse Whitley Bay. ‘Aladdin’ was also the societies first production back in 1964, and this year will features the first and only appearance by a young Cheryl Tweedy nee Cole as well the first appearance by future Hollywood star Andrea Riseborough who would remain with the society until 2000, becoming Senior Dancer. A darkened auditorium and a brightly lit stage beneath which the...

As part of their 30th anniversary, members of the Whitley Bay Pantomime Society perform ‘Aladdin’ at the Playhouse Whitley Bay. ‘Aladdin’ was also the societies first production back in 1964, and this year will features the first and only appearance by a young Cheryl Tweedy nee Cole as well the first appearance by future Hollywood star Andrea Riseborough who would remain with the society until 2000, becoming Senior Dancer. A darkened auditorium and a brightly lit stage beneath which the musicians performing from the orchestra pit, a light illuminating the music of a pianist. A wrapped body sits on a plinth centre stage. Title: Whitley Bay Pantomime Society presents Title Aladdin. 30th Year 1994 A magician appearing on stage to address the audience. In a puff of smoke, the lights go out and the scene changes to allow the production to begin with a dance routine featuring several dancer appearing on stage via the auditorium. The performance continues with a variety of song and dance routines featuring men, women and children appearing in various costumes including Sandra Laidler as Aladdin, Kathryn Flinn as the ‘Princess’ and Kevyn Gill as ‘Widow Twankey’. The performance ends and as the curtains closes Rowland Maughan comes out onto the stage holding a lantern. He rubs it and a genie appears followed by him singing and chatting with the audience getting them to accompany him in a rendition of the nursery rhyme ‘Hey Diddle Diddle’, the words appearing on a large placard hanging down above the stage. Rowland collects a microphone from someone off stage and begins to thank some of those who have worked behind the scenes on this production. He them speaks to the audience with regards supporting Leukaemia Research and then acknowledge some of the parties or groups who are in the audience that night. Six birthday boys and girls come onto the stage and are interviewed about where they are from and what presents they have received. They then accompany Rowland in a rendition of ‘Hey Diddle Diddle’. The genie escorts them from the stage and giving them each a small present. Roland continues to sing along with the audience, his song coming to an end he waves as he leaves the stage. The lights go out and come on again to reveal another set, a group of dancers begin to perform after which the full cast appear for their encore. Rowland comes forward to give special thanks to some of the cast and crew, some receiving bouquets. One of the founders of the Whitley Bay Pantomime Society Ernie Scorer comes out on the stage and speaks with the audience about their 30-year history. He then presents a trophy to Roland for his 30 years of service to a massive round of applause from both audience and fellow cast members. A rendition of the National Anthem ends the production.