SOUVENIR PROGRAMME
Welcome to our Show.
“Ah, Aladdin. That age-old story of a lad who got a kick out of polishing his lamp, owned a genie (there is more than one, and you should see her ring), won the heart of a princess. And now ruin…, er, ‘performed’ by the Lavant Players. Well, it takes all sorts. We’ve had (some) fun taking on the tale and giving it a bit of a spin. From batty parrots, mad mothers, crazy camels, power-hungry sorcerers, to sock-obsessed emperors and robbers who hide in bins, the show has been a joy to work on from beginning to end with a bunch of enthusiastic and mostly happy cast. It has taken a great deal of time, sweat and effort to bring our tale to you - not just from the cast, but from the talented lot behind the scenes, painting sets, creating lighting and sonic sounds and the stunning costumes and props that I kept adding to, much to their disgust. I hope that you enjoy the show.” (Guy Evans)
“It has been fantastic over the last five months getting to see just how much the confidence of the cast has grown. At Lavant Players, the community really does come together, in not just our members, but our audiences and committee. I am thrilled to be involved in such a beneficial community organisation and Aladdin is a wonderful example of just how important Lavant Players is. We’ve all put so much into this show and I really hope you all have as much fun watching it as we have putting it together. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here this evening. We couldn’t do it without you!” (Kieran Turnbull)
Guy Evans Director
Kieran Turnbull Assistant Director
Musical Numbers Musical Numbers
第⼀幕 ACT ONE
REACH GET HAPPY ON MY OWN
NINE TO FIVE
EVIL LIKE ME A KIND OF MAGIC SLIPPING THROUGH MY FINGERS A MILLION DREAMS
第二幕 ACT TWO
CHU-CHI FACE
BREAK AWAY GIVE THEM A SHOW POOR ALADDIN
Creatives.
Writer Guy Evans
Director Guy Evans
Assistant Director Kieran Turnbull
Set Design Richard Whincop
Sound Design Mike Richardson
Costume Design Hazel & Malcom Bennett
Props Design Hazel & Malcolm Bennett
Lighting Design Anthony Clark
Choreographer Lottie Owen
Original Music Cheryl Craven
Programme Design Kieran Turnbull
Technical.
Stage Manager Niamh Roberts
Sound No.1 Mike Richardson
Sound No.2 Kieran Turnbull
Lighting Operator
Carpenter Iain Anthony
Painter
Budgeting Rayner Waszkiewicz
Chaperones Andrew & Nicolette Frogley Niamh Roberts Anthony Clark
Cast.
Aladdin Toby Shepherd
Princess Jelli Rebekah Leggatt
Widow Twankey Hollymai Vicary
The Lampseller Liz Goodey
The Emperor Nigel Holloway
Abanazar Maya Jarvis
Stiletto Jasmin Vicary
Queen Shokoti Toni Holloway
Genie of the Lamp Lottie Owen
Genie of the Ring Alicia Goodey
The Camel Sophia Anthony
Ensemble Alicia Goodey
Steph Richardson
Gina Quest
Genevieve Bird
Vanessa Anthony
Cheryl Craven
Lottie Owen
Toni Holloway
Alexia Saplacan
Archie Frogley
Eva Kuchanny
Front of House.
Rayner Waszkiewicz
Charles Carter
Jean
CSherrington
écile Soyer
Ann Vandenbroucke
Game, Set and… Game, Set and…
“The set for Aladdin was a Chinese puzzle, which is truly puzzling, as in the original Arabian Nights the tale was set in Baghdad. But that’s panto for you; and the geographic switch has a long history – Widow Twankey first appeared in a play in 1861 and was named after a cheap brand of Chinese tea! My design journey, began with the intricate lattice patterns of Chinese screens, which inspired the street scene and the palace. Another challenge was Guy’s brief to create an archway in front of the curtains; and for this I looked to the decoration of temples in ancient cities such as Liaoyang and Liverpool (yes, there is a scouse Chinatown!). Iain, our brilliant in-house carpenter, conjured up the panels with ease; and several rolls of masking tape later (not to mention several buckets of red paint) the architectural scenery was complete.
Niamh Roberts
Richard Whincop
Niamh, an amazing young talent, gave priceless assistance, skilfully painting the lion’s head – and the dragons and manic mask on the double-sided mobile ‘spinners’. The cave scene was Chinese geometry gone mad, given a surreal edge and a colourful makeover with complementary parings of blue and orange, purple and yellow –plus red to match the arch. It was a lot of fun, with some of the cast having a hand in blocking in the triangles and cutting out the treasure icons and spooky eyes. Over 100m of turquoise washi tape neatened off the job with glittery lines – plenty enough to drive Aladdin Sane!” (Richard Whincop)
P.S. If you like a puzzle, the Chinese characters in the archway corners mean ‘dragon’ and ‘sock’. Can you guess which is which?
…Matching Colours …Matching Colours
Richard Whincop
Toby Shepherd Toby Shepherd
He is, in his words, ‘elated to be in the leading role’ and hopes he ‘ can do the performance justice’. He also starred as Aladdin when he was just 15 and is thrilled to reprise the role 17 years later!
Aladdin marks Toby’s Lavant Players debut.
Rebekah-Brooke Leggatt Rebekah-Brooke Leggatt
Rebekah has been training in Musical Theatre since she was just two years old and loves spreading the magic of theatre to others. She is currently studying Teaching Musical Theatre at Chichester University and is the Principal of The Theatre Academy, as well as teaching for Italia Conti.
Aladdin marks Rebekah’s Lavant Players debut.
Maya Jarvis Maya Jarvis
Maya has a great passion for performing and is really excited to finally play a villain. Her stage credits include ‘Matilda JR’ and ‘Bugsy Malone’. Maya is really excited to be performing again after studying Musical Theatre at HSDC and as she says in her place of work; “I’m Lovin’ It!”
Aladdin marks Maya’s Lavant Players debut.
““Don’t Don’t You You Wanna Wanna
Hollymai Vicary Hollymai Vicary
Hollymai is really excited to be playing such a “fun and playful character” as Twankey. She has been mastering her accent for months and is keen to finally share it with audiences. Hollymai is currently studying Level 3 Acting at Chichester College. She says that “Lavant Players is a fantastic experience that keeps you coming back for every event they plan”.
Liz Goodey Liz Goodey
Liz has been a member of Lavant Players for more than ten years and still loves the camaraderie of its members. She is proud to have acted, directed and as of this year become the vice-chair of the organisation. She hopes that you enjoy the show.
Nigel Holloway Nigel Holloway
Nigel’s acting career started accidentally after being involved backstagewithLavantPlayersandCAOS.Duetosicknesshewas asked to understudy for the woodcutter in Lavant’s production of ‘Once Upon a Fairytale’ and caught the showbiz bug. As time has gone by, Nigel’s roles have got bigger and become more challenging, his most recent credit being ‘Inspector Brannigan’ in CAOS’ ‘Guys and Dolls’ which has been a favourite of his to date (other than the emperor in Aladdin of course!). He loves to make peoplelaughandhavinganinteractionwiththeaudience!
Be Evil Like Me?”
Be
Evil Like Me?”
Toni Holloway Toni Holloway
Aladdin marks Toni’s 11th show with Lavant Players. Her credits include ‘Sandy’ in ‘Grease’ and ‘Belle’ in ‘Once Upon a Fairytale’. Toni has performed also with CAOS and Chidham & Hambrook Players being a lifelong lover of Musical Theatre. Toni ‘’loves being a part of the Lavant Players Community” and is delighted to be in Aladdin with such a “ warm, friendly & welcoming company ” .
Jasmin Vicary Jasmin Vicary
Jasmin has been a part of Lavant Players for around ten years and has since joined the executive committee. She hopes to be apart of it for many more years to come.
Lottie Owen Lottie Owen
Lottie has been performing since a young age in dancing & figure skating, but, as an adult, really enjoys performing with Lavant Players. She has been in several productions and made many friends she will keep for a lifetime. Lottie has really enjoyed playing Genie of the Lamp because she can be “ an absolute loon” (not much different to usual) and loves throwing glitter at people!
“It’s Been Said The “It’s Been Said The
Alicia Goodey Alicia Goodey
Alicia joined Lavant Players ten years ago. She had a short break to go to University but is ecstatic to be back in the area and able to join the Lavant community once more. She is proud to be a part of the executive committee as social media lead. Alicia is really excited to be playing the Genie of The Ring and is having a lot of fun with the cast and crew!
Sophia Anthony Sophia Anthony
Sophia is 14 years old and loves being a part of Lavant Players. She has been in various Lavant Players productions since 2019, her favourite being ‘‘Robin Hood”. She has also performed in London’s West End at The Shaftesbury Theatre.
Steph Richardson Steph Richardson
Steph joined Lavant Players in 2023 as a chorus member in Robin Hood. Having not done any musical theatre since “Gilbert and Sullivan Society” during her Uni days (many decades ago!). She is really enjoying her roles this year as a Guard and a Robber!
World’s A Stage” World’s A Stage”
Gina Quest Gina Quest
Gina first joined Lavant Players in 1997 for the production of Wind in the Willows. It must have been good because she’s been in every show since! From weasel, to duck, to servant, to time traveller. She says it’s “been a good laugh in a friendly atmosphere like a family”. Gina is really excited for Aladdin!
Genevieve Bird Genevieve Bird
This is Genevieve’s third year performing with Lava Players. She says that “ everyone is so kind and carin and she hopes to be a part of it for many years to come
Vanessa Anthony Vanessa Anthony
Vanessa is delighted to be joining Lavant Players on stage after watching her daughter Sophia perform for years. She’s really enjoyed being in a show with Sophia as well as the rest of the cast. Vanessa’s TV credits include “Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway”.
Aladdin marks Vanessa’s Lavant Players debut.
“Poor Aladdin, “Poor Aladdin, What A Lousy Day” What A Lousy Day”
Cheryl Craven Cheryl Craven
Cheryl is a local musician who has performed in various pubs and music festivals including Bognor Rox & the Southdowns Folk Festival. She is delighted to be involved in Aladdin and wrote our very catchy finale song ‘‘Poor Aladdin” especially for this production.
Aladdin marks Cheryl’s Lavant Players debut.
Alexia Saplacan Alexia Saplacan
Alexia is thrilled to be joining the Lavant Players company another show. She is a drummer who dreams of being famous successful.
Archie Frogley Archie Frogley
Archie caught the acting bug during his school production of Peter Pan, and then, Shrek where he bagged his first speaking part! Archie is overjoyed to be performing with Lavant Players gaining important experience in amateur theatre. In his spare time he loves cycling, swimming, running, football and sailing!
Aladdin marks Archie’s Lavant Players debut.
Eva Kuchanny Eva Kuchanny
Eva is nine years old and lives in Lavant. She is really enjoying being a part of Aladdin. Eva loves all things singing, acting and dancing (and solving tricky maths problems!). In her spare time she can usually be found choreographing new dance routines with her friends.
Aladdin marks Eva’s Lavant Players debut.
IInRehearsals nRehearsals
In
Memory of Our Real Genie In Memory of Our
Richard Ryder Richard Ryder
In 2024, all of us at Lavant Players were devastated to lose the heartbeat of our team. Richard had dedicated endless hours on and off stage over the years to Lavant Players. His presence, sense of humour and his high standards in every project he undertook will be missed. He was a great friend and mentor to many, and is simply irreplaceable. We would like to dedicate this production to the real Genie of our shows. Thank you Richard, Rest In Peace.
