PRESS PACK ORIGINAL - jerminproductions.co.uk · Dick Whittington and his Pantomime friends will be paving the streets with GOLD at a theatre venue near you this Christmas and New

#DickWhittingtonSouthWales

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ContentsIntroduction from Mark and Nia Jermin 4

Show Information 5

Box Office Information 6

Synopsis 7

Performance dates 8

Cast and Creatives 9

Cast Headshots and Bios 10

Press Releases 12

Contacts Us 13

Sponsors and Charity Partners 14

Our Dick Whittington Cast visiting Tata Steel

‘Save Our Steel’ Our cast are 100% behind the

cause!

Presenting… Our Dick Whittington Cast for 2016!

#JerminProductionsPanto

Dick Whittington and his Pantomime friends will be paving the streets with GOLD at a theatre venue

near you this Christmas and New Year!

The Lyric Theatre, CarmarthenTel: 0845 226 3510

http://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk/en/

Penyrheol Theatre, SwanseaTel: 01792 897039

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/penyrheol

Theatr Brycheiniog, BreconTel: 01874 611622

http://www.brycheiniog.co.uk

Princess Royal Theatre, Port TalbotTel: 01792 763214

http://www.nptartsandents.co.uk/en/princessroyal/home

Dick Whittington Pantomime will run at:


https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/penyrheol


http://www.nptartsandents.co.uk/en/princessroyal/home

Introduction from Co-Directors of Jermin

Productions, Mark and Nia Jermin:

Mark and Nia Jermin


Welcome to our 2016 / 2017 Pantomime Season! We are so excited to take you on the wonderful journey across 4

South Wales theatre venues this Christmas and New Year following the story of the brave hero Dick Whittington and his Panto-tastic

friends. Its an Olympic year, and we are really going for GOLD in every sense on this year’s production! We are so excited about the expansion of the Company by adding Theatr Brycheiniog Brecon

and the Princess Royal Theatre Port Talbot to our existing Pantomime Tour and are delighted to be returning to The Lyric

Theatre Carmarthen and Penyrheol Theatre Swansea (the Theatre where we produced our first ever Pantomime Production.) We are

thrilled to host more performances than ever before in our Pantomime schedule including audience accessible performances

including Signed and Relaxed Performances. 2016 is a spectacular year to celebrate our British heritage with the Queen turning 90, the huge British success at the Olympic Games as well as the every day triumphs all over our country. Our chosen title of Dick Whittington

has been voted as the most British classic Pantomime tale of all, taking you on a journey from the streets of South Wales to

London and we eagerly look forward for all our audiences to step into the Pantomime world and see this year’s production.

Title: Dick Whittington

Writers: Mark and Nia Jermin

Directors: Mark and Nia Jermin

Choreographer: Nia Jermin

Running Dates: Friday 9th December 2016 to Sunday 22nd January 2017

Running Time: 2 Hours 10 Minutes

Age Suitability: This is a family production and is aimed at viewers of all ages

Accessibility Performances: Signed Public Performance Carmarthen: Saturday 10th December at 1pm

Relaxed Performance Carmarthen: Friday 16th December at 5pm Signed Public Performance Port Talbot: Sunday 15th December at 2pm

Signed Schools Performance Port Talbot: Wednesday 18th January at 10.00am

Senior Citizens Performance Port Talbot Wednesday 18th January 2017 at 2.00pm

Relaxed Performance Port Talbot: Saturday 21st January 10am.

Wheelchair spaces available for every performance.

Tickets: Ticket price will depend on your chosen venue and performance. Please contact your nearest Box Office for more a more specific price guide.

For further information please do not hesitate to contact us on 01792 458855 or [email protected]

Show Information


mailto:[email protected]

Theatre Box Office Information:


The Lyric Theatre


Box Office: 0845 2263510

Penyrheol Theatre

http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/FHIGFI

Box Office: 01792 897039

Theatre Brycheiniog


Box Office: 01874 611622

The Princess Royal

http://www.nptartsandents.co.uk

Box Office: 01639 763214

SynopsisThe streets are paved with Gold - Or at least that’s what Dick Whittington

thinks!

Join Dick Whittington in this “ purrfect" family Pantomime… There’s hilarious antics, sword fights, exotic trips to Morroco, rat infested vermin and even a navigating Cat. Our tale begins when our hero, Dick Whittington sets sail on a voyage to London where he is determined to seek his fortune! Along the way he meets a cat called Tom Tom who soon joins him on his travels and

becomes his closest friend. When Dick finally reaches his destination he is surprised that the big city is not quite what he imagined, now in search of a job he sets out to work for a wealthy shop owner. Before long Dick falls madly in love with his boss’ daughter Alice Fitzwarren but is too poor to ever marry her.

When money goes missing in the shop it is Dick that is accused of the crime and is banished from the land.

On his long journey back to South Wales Dick and faithful pal Tom Tom are suddenly stopped by the sound of the Bells of Bow, this is a sign from the magical Fairy Bowbells who encourages Dick to turn around and clear his

honest name. Returning back to London he joins Alice and workers Idle Jack and Sarah the Cook on a overseas Voyage where an evil storm is brewing.

A vicious storm is sent to wreck the ship evil villain King Rat and accidentally redirects the ship to a foreign land where there is an infestation of RATS.

Finally the Rat Army come head to head with our hero and his feline friend… Will dick and Tom Tom be able to save the day?


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Dick Whittington: Miles Braithwaite

King Rat: Billy McCleary

Sarah the Cook: Marc Skone

Alice Fitzwarren: Lucesca Walters

Idle Jack: Adam Byard

Fairy Bowbells: Laura Phillips

Tommy the Cat: Robyn McDonald

Cast

A behind the scenes look at Our Dick Whittington Cast

at our Photoshoot Launch which took place on

Monday 6th June 2016.

A quick stop off at The Guild

Hall in Brecon.

Our very own Bun on the Run checking our

ticket sales at The Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen.


MARC SKONE (SARAH THE COOK):

Loveable MARC SKONE, an avid actor, director and natural comedian will once again be taking audiences by storm as he steps out as Sarah the Cook with a larger than life personality, and the costumes to match! Returning for his third consecutive Jermin Productions Pantomime Marc is a jack of all traits and is able to lend his hand to any role on stage and screen. Marc, is familiar to viewers of Pobol Y Cwm after portraying the role of Rhodri along with appearing in stage shows in and around Wales including the Full Monty, Evita and Les Miserables. Last year Marc was set his biggest challenge yet as he transformed from Prince Charming to Nurse Nellie from Kidwelly. This year, with the role firmly under his belt he will be pulling out all of the stops and is guaranteed to have you rolling in the isles.

ADAM BYARD (IDLE JACK):

Returning for a FOURTH year is our favourite Pantomime star ADAM BYARD who will be once again putting his stamp on our brand new comedy character Idle Jack! With the firmly established reputation of being a crowd's favourite this enthusiastic, energetic and completely bonkers character will be taking to the stage to once again become the King of Comedy. Adam has appeared in BBC One's DOCTORS and played alongside Minnie Driver in feature film HUNKYDORY. Adam is also scheduled to film a brand new feature film in the summer of 2016 before causing mayhem on our South Wales tour this Christmas.

LUCESCA WALTERS (ALICE FITZWARREN):

Young, local actress LUCESCA WALTERS will be stepping into Jermin Production's leading lady shoes as she takes on the role of the beautiful Alice Fitzwarren. Having previously worked on each Jermin Productions Pantomime since 2013, Lucesca has experienced a variety of roles both on and off stage including dancer and assistant choreographer but is set to make her leading lady Pantomime debut this year. With a history full of stage credits this actress is no stranger to the spotlight and has appeared in productions including Les Miserable, Songs for a New World and most recently LEGALLY BLONDE which saw her perform to sold out audiences with her portrayal of blonde bombshell and ultimate diva vocalist Elle Woods at The Grand Theatre, Swansea.

Meet the 2016 Dick Whittington Cast


Miles Braithwaite (DICK WHITTINGTON):

Recently graduating with 1st Class Honours from the BA Hons Acting Programme at Liverpools top drama college LIPA, this London based actor will be taking the trip over the bridge to spend his Christmas in our four South Wales Venues. In true Dick Whittington style Miles Braithwaite will be making the long journey to South Wales to embark on his latest adventure in his first ever Jermin Productions Pantomime. Through his extensive three years of training Miles has gained a series of theatre credits including ‘Seymour’ in The Little Shop of Horrors, ‘Claudio’ in Much Ado About Nothing and ‘William Barfee’ in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Following his graduation from the prestigious Liverpool drama college Miles has been touring with a Shakespeare company in Manchester and Nottingham performing in multiple roles. Continuing his time on the road this Welsh actor is excited to be returning home for the festive period and performing to Welsh audiences across South Wales.

LAURA PHILLIPS (FAIRY BOW BELLS):

Laura is thrilled to be joining Jermin Productions Team for her first professional pantomime! Since graduating from Cardiff University in 2014 with a degree in Law and Criminology Laura has leant her hand to performing and hasn't looked back since. This diva vocalist is currently living in Cardiff Bay and actively seeks new musical theatre projects throughout South Wales. Laura can be seen performing around Cardiff as part of her acoustic jazz duo, Jazz on the Covers, and is also a regular performer in variety shows, cabarets and musical revues - she featured in the launch of Hello Cabaret, Cardiff’s new musical theatre cabaret night, and has also performed for several years at Cardiff Bay’s Norwegian Church Arts Centre as part of Broadway By The Bay.


ROBYN MCDONALD (TOM TOM THE CAT):

Stepping out on to the stage for her first touring pantomime is our lovable, feline friend Tom Tom. Performed by local, up and coming dancer Robyn McDonald this young, playful character is sure to come to life this Christmas with more twists and turns than any Pantomime adventure. Robyn has gained a number of medals, awards and titles through her involvement with many local and national dance competitions and will be finding a more permanent home with the Jermin Productions pantomime this December. This rising star has taken part in many Jermin Productions Pantomimes and has grown and developed within the company, progressing from a younger dancer to a senior dancer last year, Robyn is thrilled to be adding yet another theatre credit as a lead cast member.

BILLY MCCLEARY (KING RAT):

Making his professional pantomime debut with Jermin Productions, BILLY MCCLEARY will be transforming into the classic pantomime villain, King Rat. After graduating from Gower College Swansea with full distinctions Billy was awarded a full scholarship for the 'Young Actors Studio' at The Royal College of Music and Drama. This young, up and coming actor has been a consistent member of West Glamorgan Youth Theatre Company for the past 6 years and is excited to return home to his South Wales base for the Christmas period. Billy has performed in various plays and musicals including 'I love you, you're perfect, now change', 'Metamorphosis' and 'A Midsummer Nights Dream'.

Official Press Release

With plans up and down the country surrounding the 90th birthday for the longest reigning Queen with a series of Royal celebrations, there is another Royal spectacular in South Wales at not one, not two but four South Wales venues! Jermin Productions

will present their annual Pantomime in the form of Dick Whittington from this December on a Pantomime Tour of South Wales, which will visit Swansea,

Carmarthen, Brecon and Port Talbot.

Due to the reoccurring and ever-growing success of the brother and sister collaboration the company by Mark and Nia Jermin, Jermin Productions, is soaring to

new heights as it picks up not one, but TWO new theatre venues to complete their 2016/17 tour of DICK WHITTINGTON. This royal and British inspired theatre

spectacle will aim to bring hope and good cheer to its participating areas including the communities with a number of discounted performances, added number of signs performances and newly introduced Relaxed performances making the production

accessible to all.

This Pantomime will be a new take on this theatrical art form and will aim to be the ultimate and most classic British pantomime of all time that the audiences of South Wales has ever seen!! With a first class mix of chart topping songs, cheeky comedy

gages, ultra local references and outstanding value for money the Jermin Productions pantomime has become a cemented, unmissable festive treat for families across the

South.

Jermin Production was set up in 2013 by both Mark and Nia Jermin who combined their vast experience and knowledge of the creative industry to produce a new, fresh and incredibly local pantomime right on their very door step. With Mark accountable

for a professional acting agency and over 12 stage schools across Wales and Nia performing in West End Shows and UK Tours across the country it seems the two are

a perfect pair. This year the uniquely magical pantomime DICK WHITTINGTON will run for a total of 49 shows between Friday 9th December 2016 and Sunday 22nd

January 2017. During this festive period the annual pantomime will visit FOUR South Wales venues starting off by returning to both The Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen

and Penyrheol Theatre, Swansea.

This brilliant rags to riches story follows the journey of Dick and his cat, on an exciting quest to seek their fortune. It is clear that the support of the local venues was

and still is crucial to the success of the Jermin Productions pantomimes. Mark explains.

“I have always loved working with the theatres in the Swansea and Carmarthen areas as they have always been a huge support for us right from the small and humble

beginnings of Jermin Productions. We look forward to returning to both venues as we have created a well established brand and tradition in the areas thanks to the

wonderful support of returning locals each year”

Adding to the previous run of last year’s much loved and much celebrated Sleeping Beauty, the company are spending their Christmas holidays at Theatre Brycheiniog in Brecon before moving on to Port Talbot’s greatly established Princess Royal Theatre

for the New Year.

After submitting a successful tender application, Neath and Port Talbot council have welcomed the new company due to their savvy approach and success on their past

productions and have welcomed the Jermin pair with open arms to reinvent the pantomime brand within Port Talbot. Jermin productions have grabbed the opportunity with both hands

and are determined to have an impact on the area. They have introduced extra school performances, reduced ticket prices and Port Talbots very first Relaxed performance. They have also worked closely with the Chief Executive at Theatr Brycheiniog, Martyn Green

who has been extremely welcoming and hands on with this year’s dazzling production. Mark discusses how this year they are extending their invite to ALL.

“This year our focus was on making our production accessible to all.. This means both financially and physically. As a strong supporter of the arts I belive that every child should have the opportunity to experience live theatre first hand and be able to experience a trip to the theatre. To do this we have added a wider range of show times, extended our run, added two more theatre venues to the tour as well as introducing relaxed performances to South

Wales Theatres.”

A relaxed performance focuses on welcoming children with special needs (including Autistic Spectrum Conditions and/or learning disabilities) and, crucially, their families to a

performance where those needs are accounted for and the production itself altered if necessary. This allows anyone and everyone to have the opportunity of experiencing first

class, live theatre. It seems that it is full steam ahead with planning and preparation for this year’s pantomime as tickets are already on sale and selling fast!

The company were eager to open the box offices to the public to allow them to plan ahead and pre book their tickets for this December.

“We both know what it is like during the Christmas period, financially everyone is effected” admits Nia Jermin, co-director of Jermin Productions and West End act

“We wanted to give audiences the opportunity to plan ahead and get tickets earlier. This allows people to plan and save for that special family friendly, affordable treat at Christmas

and New Year.”

As always the company are heavily focussed investing into the local community, with this in mind Jermin Productions will be holding open auditions for junior dancers across South

Wales to join the company of Dick Whittington this christmas. The duo are welcoming any young, talented, aspiring performers in the area to audition for the chance to perform in a full scale, professional, touring pantomime. Nia discussed the importance of providing

young performers with professional opportunities.

“We have always used local performers and it has always been a success, it not only provides the young performers with a money can’t buy experience but it also allows them to

perform night after night in multiple venues.”

Auditions for the juvenile dancers will take place in Carmarthen, Port Talbot and Brecon for all theatre venues. This year Jermin productions are seeking FOUR teams of Juvenile

dancers.. Could that be you?

Tickets are NOW on sale for this year’s spellbinding production of Dick Whittington brought to you by Jermin Productions.


Published June 2016

Contact Us:

If you have any further enquiries please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] or our general office number 01792 458855.

As a forward thinking company we pride ourselves on keeping up to date with all current trends and keeping our finger well and truly on the pulse.. To keep up to date

with all of the announcements, news and big reveals as well as Behind the Scenes footage please find the links to our Social Media profiles below:

www.facebook.com/JerminProductions

www.twitter.com/@Jermin_Prod

Our 2016 website has also undergone a new year make over and now features our latest blogs which keeps you up to date with all of the ‘Behind the Scenes’ thoughts of both our Cast and Crew. As of September we will be posting weekly blogs covering all of

the latest promotional events, photoshoots and other seasonal events. To read our 2016 blogs and also see our brand new site follow the link below:

www.jerminproductions.co.uk


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.facebook.com/JerminProductions

http://www.twitter.com/@Jermin_Prod

http://www.jerminproductions.co.uk

Our Dick Whittington Cast visiting the staff and Team at The Evening

Post HQ.

A trip over the Brecon Beacons brought us to the Brecon and Radnor who we are

excited to work with this year during our stay at Theatr Brycheiniog.

And not forgetting the oldest running paper in Wales.. The Carmarthen Journal, back on

board for a third consecutive Jermin Production Pantomime.

Jermin Productions are proud to be working alongside new

and returning media partners for this year’s Dick

Whittington Pantomime:


South Wales Evening PostSwansea / Port Talbot

The Carmarthen JournalCarmarthen

The Brecon & Radnor ExpressBrecon

Jermin Productions would like to say ‘Thank You’ to all sponsors of the DickWhittington

Pantomime 2016

Jermin Productions Charity Partnerships for 2016/17:

This year Jermin Productions are teaming up with FOUR local charities across the South Wales ares to help raise awareness and donations for the variety of causes that

are close the company’s heart. This year we have been approached by a number of charities and have made the very difficult decision of narrowing it down to just four

partners. We have selected the following South Wales Charities to support on our 2016/17 tour:


Penyrheol TheatreSwansea

The Lyric TheatreCarmarthen

Theatr BrcyheiniogBrecon

The Princess Royal Theatre

Port Talbot

PRESS PACK ORIGINAL - jerminproductions.co.uk · Dick Whittington and his Pantomime friends will be paving the streets with GOLD at a theatre venue near you this Christmas and New

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