Guess what? It’s officially my favourite time of year! No, not Halloween! Not Bonfire Night! No, not even Christmas (although I do love Christmas, I do acknowledge that it is only just November…) No…. it’s Panto Season!

My name’s Ellie and this week I have the lovely job of letting you know what’s being going on in rehearsals for our next production, a brand new pantomime, Frosted. Being a lifelong panto lover I’m very excited to be part of a pantomime I’ve not performed in/seen performed before, especially as I get to play the role of Princess Ella – our magical ice princess! This is now my fourth show with SMP and, as ever, I’m loving every second.

Monday night saw us in the ever capable hands of choreographer extraordinaire, Miss Fay. Having (mostly) recovered from our spook-tacular SMP Halloween party on the previous Saturday we set about recapping all the dance numbers that have been set so far. This was a real treat for me in particular, as I haven’t been needed for dance rehearsals so far, so it was wonderful to see what everybody has been working so hard on! Needless to say, the dance numbers are all looking spectacular already. The second part of the rehearsal saw some of the chorus ladies dusting off their ballet shoes to set a number to a song I sing in Act 2. We’re lucky to have so many talented members in SMP and, thanks to Miss Fay and our four ballerinas, the finished result was absolutely beautiful. We also had a post-Halloween visit from our mystery black cat, who has already claimed the title of the most popular member of SMP.

Wednesday night was another busy night for all. Our fabulous Director and Chairman Luke continued to work on scenes with principals, which all guarantees a night filled with laughter for all involved. Meanwhile Mikey B, our marvellous MD, went through some of the duet and solo numbers in the show. I had a little sneaky listen in and can confirm that everything was sounding amazing already. Finally, Miss Fay was back, this time as co-costume mistress with her fellows costume magicians, Ellie and Debbie. I always LOVE trying on costumes for the first time, and I was super excited to get my first look at my Princess Ella dress – eeeeeeeeek! Putting together so many costumes for a show is such a mammoth task, and I know we are all eternally grateful for all the hours of work that our costume team put in.

As if all of that wasn’t enough excitement for one week, Saturday night saw lots of us celebrate the most joyous of all events – a wedding! Huge congratulations to our beautiful Stacy – who looked like an actual, real life princess – and her Prince Charming Scott, who we can now OFFICIALLY welcome into the SMP Family as a lifetime member!

So that’s all from me: make sure you don’t miss out on this truly magical pantomime!

Tickets for Frosted are now available to book.

Thurs 19th to Sat 21st January 2017 at 7.30 p.m. & Matinee on Sat 21st & Sunday 22nd January 2017 at 2.30 p.m.

** Sign interpreted performance on Sunday 22nd January 2017 **

£14 Full/£11 Concessions. Please ring 0844 414 2731 Or email SMPTickets@hotmail.com to book.

Online booking and payment is now available via our website smp.snowhosting.co.uk

Dearest Frosticles…or should I say ghouls & ghoulettes,

Welcome back to our blog, cherubs, we do hope you’ve enjoyed hearing about all our backstage antics so far.

This week at SMP HQ we continued to storm ahead with rehearsal joy for our fabulous family panto “Frosted”, it’s brand new and original, and penned by my very own Hubsicle too, eeeeek.

We started our week with another fabulous dance rehearsal under the stupendous supervision of our dance task master, Faybellene, and it wasn’t just a dance I tell you, it was a full on work out too. After recapping all the routines set so far, we got stuck into our latest group number where fabulous Fay introduced some partner work. This caused MUCH fun and giggles for the cast, and once we’ve nailed those moves this number will be just perfect for our “Ball at the Ice Palace”. Well done, as always, to our courageous choreographer and our hard working cast.

The BOO-gieing didn’t end there though, oh no it didn’t, our second rehearsal of the week found us in the very capable hands of Musical Maestro, Mikey B, immersing us in a wonderland of disco classics and resulting in the ultimate mash-up…oooh, our band are going to have a lot of fun with this one, and we can’t wait to hear it.

As the weekend arrived so did our fabulous new promo flier, wahooo. It’s been superbly designed by fab friend of SMP, Mr Ewan Warburton (thank you Ew, it totally rocks) and has already started making its way around, thanks to our Queen Tina and Dancing Delight Lynz, who handed lots out at the The Dugdale Centre this weekend. Thank you very much lovely ladies.

Finally we ended our productive week with a bang, a very spooky one, at the annual SMP Halloween Bash. Our super Social Team did another FANGtastic job as we enjoyed devilish decor, nasty nibbles, pumpkin pong, costume competitions and a deadly disco. So much fun was had by all and a little bit of fundraising made for the group too. Thank you very much to our Social Team and to all who attended. SMP are very grateful.

Well that’s it, peaches, nothing more to report for now, so as we head into another joyous week of rehearsals, we wish you a bootiful & Happy Halloween

XXXX

Tickets for Frosted are now available to book.

Thurs 19th to Sat 21st January 2017 at 7.30 p.m. & Matinee on Sat 21st & Sunday 22nd January 2017 at 2.30 p.m.

** Sign interpreted performance on Sunday 22nd January 2016 **

£14 Full/£11 Concessions. Please ring 0844 414 2731 Or email SMPTickets@hotmail.com to book.

Online booking and payment is now available via our website smp.snowhosting.co.uk

My name is David Bowman, I play The Herald, here is my blog!

This week we have reached an exciting time tin rehearsals, the point where the show is just starting to take shape. We are setting scenes, finding the nuance and humour in our characters, and realising the choreographer’s vison in our dances. It is a time I have always loved in the rehearsal process where anything is still possible but we start to see glimpses of what will become the highlights of the show.

Monday this week was also the day when we found out that our new Monday night rehearsal space is a children’s nursery during the day! There were toys and costumes, and puppets, story books, and a nice note from the staff, and we had so much fun we almost forgot we had to rehearse! See the pictures if you don’t believe me! Once we got going I was pleased to be set in my first dance of the show.

In Frosted I play the supporting part of The Herald. When you have one of the smaller parts in a show you get great opportunities for cameos, but often miss out on a bit of the chorus dance banter. So I was pleased to get in on this one and throw some energetic, but defined, shapes under the expert, and ever patient, guidance of our choreographer Fay.

On Wednesday we were setting scenes, with many laughs to be had, particularly, but not exclusively, in the comedy scenes. With a few people missing I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to play multiple diverse parts simultaneously in colourful fashion.

We always laugh a lot at these rehearsals which is great fun but also good for the show, as for good stage comedy to work it is essential to get the giggles out of the way beforehand. Hopefully come opening night we can leave those to you in the audience!

If this week is anything to go by, it is shaping up to be a great show, with; A script that is original and extremely witty, Music that is catchy and occasionally surprisingly touching, Dancing that is lively and fun, And a cast that are talented, energetic and thoroughly lovely bunch of people!

Booking is now open so why not get that order in, bag those front row seats and I’ll see you at the theatre!

Tickets for Frosted are now available to book.

Thurs 19th to Sat 21st January 2017 at 7.30 p.m. & Matinee on Sat 21st & Sunday 22nd January 2017 at 2.30 p.m.

** Sign interpreted performance on Sunday 22nd January 2016 **

£14 Full/£11 Concessions. Please ring 0844 414 2731 Or email SMPTickets@hotmail.com to book.

Online booking and payment is now available via our website smp.snowhosting.co.uk

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Hello frosticles!!!

So this week you have me aka Lucy aka the BIRTHDAY girl guiding you through the blog!

We began our rehearsals on Monday with a fabulous recap of the dance numbers we’ve set so far. Our wonderful choreographer Fay put us through our paces once again and our two opening numbers are now polished and looking fantastic.

I’m proud to say I suffered for my art at this rehearsal – smacking my hand on a table after performing a dance move a bit too vigorously (sadly it wasn’t even the right move at the time). But other than that it was a scandal-free rehearsal.

Wednesday saw us back at the keys with our epic musical director Mikey B, learning two new songs. The solo for Princess Hannah played by the wonderful Sophie Short, and the solo for Frosty the Snowman, played by the fabulous Jenny Storey. As to be expected, Mike has come up with some amazing arrangements for these songs, and has got us sounding absolutely fantastic.

We even managed to find ourselves a brand new mascot for the show this week (those of you familiar with our last few shows will know that this is an SMP MUST!). Our (nameless/copyrightless) snowman oversaw the entire rehearsal and I have it on good authority that he was extremely impressed with our efforts.

Some of the cast also had a great time this weekend performing for the St Anne’s School Tea Party. I wasn’t there myself, but have heard that they were most welcoming, and the cast loved every minute of the fantastic event!

But MOST IMPORTANTLY this week was host to some VERY important events. Both myself and our choreographer Fay celebrated our birthdays this week. And in true SMP style we were spoiled rotten and sung to beautifully by our uber-talented friends and family.

It may only be early days in our rehearsal process, but with a script, a cast, and a creative team this awesome, I’m confident in saying that this show is not one to be missed! Get yourself online and get those tickets booked ASAP! It’s sure to be a popular one. Miss it and miss out!

Tickets for Frosted are now available to book.

Thurs 19th to Sat 21st January 2017 at 7.30 p.m. & Matinee on Sat 21st & Sunday 22nd January 2017 at 2.30 p.m.

** Sign interpreted performance on Sunday 22nd January 2016 **

£14 Full/£11 Concessions. Please ring 0844 414 2731 Or email SMPTickets@hotmail.com to book.

Online booking and payment is now available via our website smp.snowhosting.co.uk

Hello Panto lovers I’m Andy Jordan, it’s my turn to let you all know how the rehearsals are progressing for next year’s panto Frosted this wonderful production written by the amazing Warren, directed by the magnificent Luke, musically directed by the dazzling Mike and choreographed by the bodacious Miss Fay.

This week we started our 2nd dance rehearsal to the opening number ‘Ice’, original Music and Lyrics by the very talented Mike our very own Musical Director. It’s a great opening number that will set the scene for a great show. Miss Fay’s choreography got us all sweating and looks really good and will only get better.

Although I wasn’t there for Wednesday night’s principal blocking I’m sure Luke did a sterling job.

Well that’s all from me please get your tickets and you will find me on stage I’m the tall one probably lifting people (thanks Miss Fay).

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Tickets for Frosted are now available to book.

Thurs 19th to Sat 21st January 2017 at 7.30 p.m. & Matinee on Sat 21st & Sunday 22nd January 2017 at 2.30 p.m.

** Sign interpreted performance on Sunday 22nd January 2016 **

£14 Full/£11 Concessions. Please ring 0844 414 2731 Or email SMPTickets@hotmail.com to book.

Online booking and payment is now available via our website smp.snowhosting.co.uk