Panto to help local good causes

Building on the successful performances held over the last 40 years, the group is putting the finishing touches to their next pantomime which organisers say promises to be another blockbuster.

Ryan Stocks, producer and script writer said: “The story of Little Red Riding Hood tells the untold truth about the Big Bad Wolf, who lives in the woods that surround Tomato Town with the wannabe witch Anna Conda.

“Fran, the dame, her son Little Boy Blue and her daughter Little Red find their world turned upside down when Ricks’ amazing Circus comes to town.

“Filled with laughter, slapstick and a mixture of upbeat songs, the pantomime is sure to please everyone who comes to see it.”

Ryan has been producer, musical director or actor in every pantomime since 2002, and has played various parts including the dame and other comical roles. This is Ryan’s fifth time as writer and producer for Ripon Charity Pantomime Group’s shows.

The production this year is being choreographed by Beatrice (Bea) Fawcett who, at the age of 13, is the youngest choreographer that Ripon Charity Panto show has ever had.

She has performed in these shows from the age of eight, starting in the junior chorus and later as a dancer.

Bea joined Ripon Youth Theatre in 2015 and performed in Cats in 2016. Her passion for dance and performance started from her early ballet, tap and modern jazz classes at the age of three and she has progressed to focus on modern dance and performance (studying with Sam Rich “Fresh” seniors group as part of the School’s Out programme. She is also a member of Fresh dance group in Ripon).

Emma Money will be playing the role of Little Red Riding Hood and this is the third year that she has been cast in the leading heroine role.

Emma is no stranger to stage performances having first taken part in a dance show at the Harrogate International Centre at the age of four and since then has performed regularly at Harrogate’s Royal Hall in dance and musical theatre routines, and at York Opera House, including playing the role of Juliet in a mini version of Romeo and Juliet (2014).

In October 2016, Emma performed in a special Pauline Quirke Academy West End Show “The Lazy Ace” at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London where she played the leading lady Angel Applewood. She is also studying ballet, modern jazz and contemporary dance with Chatsworth Dance School in Harrogate.

Ripon Charity Pantomime Group aims to deliver fun family entertainment while raising money for local causes, and last year nearly £3,000 was raised for a range of local causes and charities.

In the last 40 years, Ripon Charity Pantomime Group has raised over £50,000 supporting organisations such as the Ripon Walled Garden, Defibrillators for Ripon, YMCA Ripon, Scuba Diving for All, North Yorkshire West Guides, HAPPY (hedgehog rescue), Saving Yorkshire’s Dogs and Ripon Christmas Market.

The performances this year will be at their new venue of Outwood Academy School, Ripon and will run from Wednesday January 11 to Saturday 14.

Tickets will be available at Ripon Christmas Market on Saturday December 3 and from December 5 at Stuff 4 Offices, 13 Fishergate, Ripon, HG4 1EA (opposite Factory Warehouse). Phone 01765 608122.

Tickets - £8 adults and £6 concessions. (Stuff 4 Offices, pening hours are Monday-Friday 9am-5.30pm and Sat 9am-5pm).

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