The Marlowe celebrates a delightful decade of pantomimes produced by Eastry-based company Evolution Productions.
Last year, Evolution Productions celebrated 10 years of pantomime in Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre. The Eastry-based company, comprising of Paul Hendy and Emily Wood, have produced some star studded productions at Canterbury’s Marlowe in the last decade.
We take a look at some of the most iconic stars who have appeared in Evolution pantomimes at the Marlowe over the last 10 years. Paul, who produces, directs and writes The Marlowe’s pantomimes, said: “I am immensely proud of our long association with the theatre. It has a wonderfully loyal, vocal audience and I’m grateful to the people of east Kent for their support.”
• Continue reading/View the gallery at the Canterbury Times.
Toyah Willcox – Sleeping Beauty, 2012/13 (Browse our Sleeping Beauty 2012/13 news here).
The curtain closed on Canterbury’s Sleeping Beauty pantomime for the final time at the weekend. And crowds still turned up to the show, despite widespread snowfall across the area. Since its first show on 30 November, nearly 84,00 people turned up to see the pantomime, which starred singers Gareth Gates and Toyah Willcox.
Marlowe Theatre director Mark Everett said: “More people saw Sleeping Beauty than any other Marlowe pantomime. I am absolutely delighted that they enjoyed such a wonderful show and my thanks go to the cast, company and all the theatre staff who worked so hard to make it such a success, especially over the last few, snowy, days.”
• Continue reading at Canterbury People.
The Marlowe Theatre have been posting amusing and interesting facts related to their panto, Sleeping Beauty, including: The dramatic costume worn by Carabosse (Toyah) is made from 16 metres (52ft) of fabric and took more than 50 hours to make. (Photo © The Marlowe Theatre)
It’s the first Gallery update of 2013! Sensational photos of Toyah, Gareth Gates and some of the Sleeping Beauty cast. These shots were taken on Wednesday. View larger versions at Dreamscape’s Gallery. (Photos © Brian Marsh Photography | Thanks to Brian)
For those that are still feeling even slightly festive. Toyah’s panto, Sleeping Beauty at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, continues way through until Sunday 20th January. Dates and ticket info is available at The Marlowe’s website. Check out Dreamscape’s bumper Sleeping Beauty news section, and read all the great reviews for the show, and Toyah.
• Sleeping Beauty: Toyah’s 2012/13 panto, at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, continues for another three weeks. The production runs until Sunday 20th January.
• This is Kent: Fairytale romance has happy ending: Love was in the air when panto star Lloyd Hollett proposed to his girlfriend live on stage. The comedian wasn’t joking when he sank to his knees before a sell-out audience of 1,200 to pop the question. She had been called on stage by Toyah Willcox, who is playing the evil queen, to be given a bouquet for helping with costume changes.
• This is Kent: Panto Proposal: It was a magical evening at the Marlowe Theatre on Thursday, December 27 when comedian Lloyd Hollett proposed to his girlfriend Dannii Williams. Before the final song, punk singer Toyah Willcox called wardrobe assistant Dannii onto the stage to present her with a bouquet of flowers, before Lloyd got down on one knee.
• Sleeping Beauty Proposal: View a short video clip of Lloyd proposing to Dannii at ‘You Tube’.
• Canterbury People: Win two tickets to Sleeping Beauty at the Marlowe Theatre: The competition ends on Friday 4 January 2013.
Photos from Sleeping Beauty at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury. The panto and Toyah have received great reviews since opening at the end of November. It runs right through until the 20th January. Details here. Click below to view more photos at Facebook. (© Marlowe Theatre)
… at the fabulous Marlowe Theatre
Following the incredible success of last year’s smash hit pantomime Cinderella, you’re guaranteed a feel-fantastic festive treat this Christmas with a whole host of stars including singing sensation Gareth Gates, pop legend Toyah Willcox, children’s favourite Katrina Bryan.
For your chance to win two tickets to this year’s pantomime at The Marlowe Theatre complete the form here (entry closes 4th January 2013).
Toyah’s panto for Christmas 2012, Sleeping Beauty, opens at The Marlowe Theatre this evening.
A number of the dates have already sold out at the 1200 seat capacity theatre.
The panto, one of Toyah’s longest ever, runs until 20th January and there are over 90 performances in total, including a thigh-slappingly exhaustive three on Saturday 22nd and 29th December.
This is Toyah’s 16th panto (in 17 years) and the third time she has played the Bad Fairy in Sleeping Beauty.
Toyah’s first panto appearance was in the title role of Jack & The Beanstalk at the Theatre Royal, Norwich in 1996. Since then she has played Peter Pan, Aladdin, the Genie, the Bad Fairy and the Wicked Queen in a variety of successful pantomimes across England.
Panto time is always a busy period for Toyah news but this year it has been exceptionally busy. View all of our Sleeping Beauty related news here.
• View further Sleeping Beauty information, show dates & times, and ticket booking details, at The Marlowe Theatre website, here.
A collection of great behind-the-scenes photos from the Sleeping Beauty script read through, costume fittings and rehearsals have been added to The Marlowe Theatre’s Facebook. View by clicking below. (Photos © The Marlowe Theatre/Tim Stubbings)
With just a week to go until opening night, rehearsals for Sleeping Beauty, the Marlowe Theatre’s spectacular pantomime are well underway…
Toyah said her love of pantomime and the shows by Evolution Productions, the creative team behind Sleeping Beauty keeps drawing her back to the theatre.
She said: “I like the history of pantomime, the concept and genre. The production team have brought it back to the original storytelling genre, that sticks to the story of good versus evil, and where good always wins. It is very funny and clever show. I can’t wait to open, I think it is a winner.”
• Continue reading at This is Kent. (Photo © This is Kent)
• All About You: Top 10 Christmas Pantos: Wakey, wakey… and take yourself off to Canterbury’s new Marlowe Theatre to see Gareth Gates and Toyah Willcox starring in this year’s panto spectacular Sleeping Beauty. The lavish musical numbers, comedy and even fire-breathing are guaranteed to keep you wide awake.
• Kent Online: Festive Illuminations: Panto stars on the road: A full rundown of Sleeping Beauty‘s busy fortnight before opening at The Marlowe Theatre.
• WikiNut: Christmas comes to Herne Bay: …The evil queen played by Toyah Willcox cheekily remarked that she hoped to snog Gareth Gates on stage every night. He made a very handsome Prince, who could blame her?
• This is Kent: Singer Gareth is a charmer: It’s A Mystery girl Toyah said: “I feel moved and honoured to be part of the show. It is great fun. Everyone is really well suited and we all like each other. It is very funny and clever show.”
• Dover Community Radio: Dover Christmas Lights 2012: The Grand Switching On of the towns Christmas Lights which will take place at 5.30pm with the Mayor of Dover being supported by the cast of the Marlowe Theatre’s Sleeping Beauty who include amongst others; Gareth Gates, Toyah WilLcox and star of the west end, Faye Brookes (on Saturday 24th November).
• Whitstable People: Pantomime stars with festive cheer: Panto stars from Sleeping Beauty have been waking up Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable. Singer Gareth Gates, actor Ieuan Rhys and former punk princess Toyah Willcox joined the Saxon Stars cheerleaders to turn on the Christmas lights at Herne Bay on Friday. (This story advises that Toyah and Gareth won’t be at the Whitstable switch-on this Saturday!)
• This is Kent: Plenty to do at the festive turn-on: Dover’s Christmas lights will be switched on this weekend during a day packed full of events. Town Mayor Cllr Anne Smith and members of the cast of Sleeping Beauty – which includes Gareth Gates and Toyah Willcox – will illuminate Market Square at 5.30pm on Saturday (24th November).
• Metro: Britain’s worst Christmas tree lights are a turn-off in Kent: A big crowd had come out to watch Gareth Gates and Toyah Willcox switch on a town’s festive lights. (Unfortunately a negative report but quite amusing)
• The cast of Sleeping Beauty switching on the lights in Canterbury on 15th November. View at You Tube.
• Toyah tweeted a great photo of herself and Wongoose (aka Chris Wong) “blatantly advertising” Sleeping Beauty at The Marlowe Theatre. View another photo of the Toyah van, by Brian Marsh, here.
• Sleeping Beauty: Rehearsals Day One: A short video blog from Toyah Willcox and Ben Roddy on day one of the Sleeping Beauty rehearsals. View at You Tube.
• Visit Kent: Deal Christmas Lights Switch On: Deal Town Christmas Light Switch-On to be held on Thursday 22 November 2012 at St George’s Church forecourt. See Toyah Willcox, Gareth Gates and other stars of Sleeping Beauty plus music by Black Catt Disco and The Kingsdown Band.
• Dover People: Panto stars to switch on Dover’s Christmas lights: The cast of the Marlowe Theatre’s panto ‘Sleeping Beauty’ will switch on Dover’s Christmas lights on Saturday.Stars including singers Gareth Gates and Toyah Wilcox are due to turn on the town’s festive illuminations. They will flick the switch along with the Mayor of Dover at 5.30pm in Market Square.
• Kent Christmas: Christmas Lights & Events: Stars of this year’s Marlowe Theatre pantomime Sleeping Beauty, including pop singer Gareth Gates and punk princess Toyah Willcox, will be flicking the switches across the district.
• Sleeping Beauty, starring Toyah and Gareth Gates, opens at The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury on Friday 30th November and runs for almost eight weeks. View full details, including ticket booking info, by clicking below.
A Sleeping Beauty postcard from The Marlowe Theatre. Click to zoom. (Thanks to Michael)
Following the success of last year’s smash-hit Marlowe Theatre pantomime, you’re guaranteed another fabulous, festive treat this Christmas with Sleeping Beauty. Topping the bill are singing sensation Gareth Gates and pop legend Toyah Willcox. With lavish sets, beautiful costumes, brilliant musical numbers, amazing illusions, lots of comedy and even a fire-breathing dragon, this promises to be Canterbury’s most magical pantomime yet. Sleeping Beauty runs from 30 November to 20 January.
Whitefriars has a family ticket for four to give away for this year’s panto, courtesy of The Marlowe Theatre. The tickets are for the special 4 December VIP performance and include free passes to the after-show drinks party with the cast. Closing date is 26 November 2012.
• Continue reading, and enter the competition, at Whitefriars Canterbury.
A new trailer for Toyah’s Christmas 2012 panto, Sleeping Beauty at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, has recently been uploaded to You Tube… Oh yes it has! (Thanks to Paul Lomas)
The Marlowe Theatre certainly know how to promote their panto. This was spotted in Canterbury today. View more info on Sleeping Beauty here. (Thanks to Brian Marsh)
There’s a new photo of the Sleeping Beauty cast in the Autumn 2012 Marlowe Theatre brochure, plus full details of the 2012 panto. This is one of Toyah’s lengthiest, running for eight weeks and a, staggering, 90 performances, between 30th November and 20th January, including a handful of three shows in one day. Download it from the theatre’s website.
