The St Joseph’s Players

A relatively new amateur theatrical group is putting on their first pantomime this year and it has been written by Nicola Stewart. Nicola was also responsible for bringing this fantastic group of people together and re-instituting the name the St Joseph’s Players.

The St Joseph's Players

There are two performances of The Lion, The Witch and the Wedding on Saturday 5 December at 7.30 pm and Sunday 6 December at 2 pm. Tickets are £3 each and the show takes place at St Joseph’s Church Hall, Hill Street, Kilmarnock. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

URsTV went to meet the cast recently and not only were the whole group working really hard, they were having fantastic fun too! The above video shows excerpts from their rehearsals and you can see just how talented and versatile these actors are.

Ellen and Moira Fairbairn

Ellen Fairbairn, who plays Maid Marion, is also a member of the Mummers Theatre Group in Clydebank, Glasgow and starred in their production of “Oliver!” in May earlier this year. Ellen’s daughter Moira plays Belle and starred in several productions at the Grange Academy in Kilmarnock when she was younger.  Moira’s version of “I Will Always Love You” is absolutely brilliant and hopefully this will appear on CD at some not so distant time in the future. Theatrical talent certainly runs in this family!

Go and see the pantomime and be the first to send in a review. If you are interested in joining the group on stage or behind the scenes the St Joseph’s Players meet every Sunday at the Church Hall at Hill Street.

Katie Charlwood plays Robin Hood and is also Nicola’s niece. Katie went to school in Ireland and has also taken part in various productions over the years.

Katie Charlwood plays The Wicked Witch

The group’s first meeting took place on 22 February 2009 and they have already produced one act plays in June! They have completed a highly successful production of:

” One Act Comedy Plays”
“A wizard day in Oz”
“I woz on that ship wot sunk”
“The Dramatics of Amateurs”

Steven Wylie

Earlier this year in August, Steven Wylie spotted an article in the Kilmarnock Standard and decided he would like to work backstage for the Players. Steven attended the Royal Scottish Academy in Glasgow and received an HND in Technical and Production Music and Drama. Steven also freelances doing children’s shows in Stewarton. A very busy young man!

Ian Stephenson is from Darlington and has a background in operatic productions. Ian plays Prince Hayver in The Lion, The Witch and the Wedding and has been living in Newmilns for the last 5 years. Ian is also looking for anyone involved in any Gilbert & Sullivan productions so if you know of any please send details into the site and we will let Ian know.

Ian Stephenson plays Prince Hayver

“The Lion the Witch and The Wedding….

an original Panto written by

Nicola J Stewart.

Prince Hayver is having a ball, and decides to invite Princesses from all over the land, including Snow White, Cinderella, Maid Marion, Belle and Alice in Wonderland. After Mrs Busybody cleans the Palace from top to bottom there is a visitor at the Palace doors!

Peter

The Wicked Witch is so angry at not recieving her invitation that she casts a spell on The Prince and gets her two evil Henchmen Igor and Ivor to lock the Princesses in the Tower!

Will Robin Hood, The Lion and the Bandits be able to free the Princesses and turn the Prince back from a beast?”

Peter was easily persuaded to join the St Joseph’s Players by his girlfriend, Tayler and has produced his own movies using a camcorder. Peter also helped with the props at Kilmarnock Academy and is currently taking media studies.

Nicola Stewart

Nicola Stewart contacted Father Latham to request the use of the St Joseph’s Church Hall and told him about her idea to reinstate the St Joseph’s Players. Since then the Players have gone from strength to strength.

Nicola wrote The Lion, The Witch and The Wedding and in true pantomime style it has a little of absolutely everything!