Charlie and The Chocolate Factory has been specially adapted in to a family friendly pantomime featuring all your favourite characters, including Charlie, played by Toby Ferguson – a native of Rathfriland, Willy Wonka, played by Stewart Penn and introduces Willy’s long lost wife, Willomena Wonka, a traditional pantomime dame, played by Pat McElhinney. So expect chaos, music and lots of laughs as the story of Charlie unfolds.
E2A is an inclusive theatre group with 40-50% of on stage actors having a physical or learning disability, but all coming together to share their love of performing, resulting in an inspiring and innovative performance. As PR Officer, Laura McKillion explains, “E2A is truly a remarkable concept in local theatre, and having able bodied actors performing alongside peers with a disability is an amazing experience for the cast as well as the audiences. Real life is about people of all backgrounds, abilities and experience co-existing, yet most theatre groups look for the very best dancers and singers, whereas E2A is about providing a shared experience for everyone.”
For the first time we are bringing the show to Portadown Town Hall on 30 November and 1 December with show starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are a very reasonable £10 per adults and £7 for concessions. “We believe in making theatre accessible for all, regardless of income, and always try to make ticket prices affordable and great value for money” says Laura McKillion. We are also delighted to have local band Aces & Eights NI involved in providing musical accompaniment, although usually a Black Sabbath tribute act, the band jumped at the chance to get involved.
Shows in Banbridge, E2A Community Arts Centre are on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 December at 7.30pm with a matinee of Saturday at 2.00pm. Tickets in Banbridge are £8 for adults and £5 for concessions.
Launched in 2011, E2A’s previous shows have included Blood Brothers, Grease, Snow White, Beauty and The Beast, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and many more popular pantomimes and musicals. The group is also provides an important social experience for those who maybe dont get to other clubs or societies and recently launched Banbridge Community Radio, giving people of all ages and experience the chance to broadcast worldwide on the internet. For bookings and more information, see FACEBOOK, www.e2abanbridge.com or email info@e2abanbridge.com.
Get booking soon, tickets always sell out, groups are welcome to attend also so make this your ‘golden’ opportunity to have a great night out.