Students interview panto cast

18 December 2009

STUDENTS took on the role of Michael Parkinson to pose burning questions to panto stars.

Pupils from Weston's Broadoak and Windwhistle schools quizzed the stars of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Playhouse theatre.

The youngsters have been taking part in a five-week programme called Performing for Success to help them engage in learning.

The scheme has a journalism theme and pupils picked up tips from Mercury reporter Emma Wright before meeting the panto cast.

They spoke to stars Peter Duncan and Vicki Michelle and their finished articles and reviews will be on display at the theatre and on websites.

Below are the children's articles:

Pantomime Stars Plea for The Playhouse

Vikki Michelle, the wicked queen in Weston's pantomime 'Snow White', has performed at the Playhouse before but fears that this could be her last time. She had very strong feelings regarding the closure of the theatre and feels that local people should be fighting to keep it open.

'Keep going to the theatre, please!' she urged, when asked to discuss the matter. However, former 'Blue Peter' presenter and this year's Muddles, Peter Duncan, argued that we can only continue to watch plays here if we are going to enjoy what is being shown. They praised the venue saying that, as a mid-scale theatre, it is perfect for pantomimes as it allows interaction, a fact which makes performances child friendly.

The two actors' experience in pantomime should make for a magical musical, something the town needs more of to keep its entertainment industry alive. A family event, pantomimes offer fun for all ages. Without our precious Playhouse, future generations will miss out on the fabulous memories a trip to the theatre can provide. Not only this, but it offers performance opportunities to local theatre groups. This is strengthening our community in many ways. Not only does it help to build confidence but, in the words of Peter Duncan,

'Everything else is included in drama.'

Without The Playhouse, local children would be deprived of the chance to develop. The theatre is not only at the heart of our tourist industry, but the heart of the community and is a local centre for culture. Showing productions varying from the 'Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain' to 'The Tiger Who Came to Tea', visits to the Playhouse are enriching the lives of everyone who makes the most of the fabulous performances.

With only a week to rehearse for long anticipated 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs', the actors were frantically learning lines ready for opening night on Monday 14th December. According to Peter Duncan,

'An actor's greatest fear is walking out on stage and forgetting what you've got to say'.

However, it is almost certain that he is in no danger of this happening. Not only does playing in panto run in his family, but he has starred as many heroes, including Peter Pan, Dick Whittington and Buttons, his favourite character to play. He has never yet taken on the role of a dame. Vikki Michelle also has ample experience having played wicked queens and good fairies in many productions before.

Could this pantomime act as the fairy godmother our local theatre needs? Or will it take all three of a genie's wishes to save this fabulous venue from closure?

Charlotte Downes, year 10

Snow White and the Seven Students

Nothing interesting in Weston? You're having a laugh! I've been and interviewed the former Chief Scout, One of the major actresses in Allo Allo, and seen the whole lot of an all-star cast down the road in the Playhouse this week, and I can tell you, their line up is incredible! I and seven other Broadoak students drove on down to the Playhouse last week, had the VIP tour, and interviewed the two main stars, Vicki Michelle (As the Wicked Witch) and Peter Duncan (As Muddles). These two legends of acting told us what had brought them into the world of drama, and also gave us helpful advice to further our budding careers in the theatre.

Peter Duncan told us that his inspiration was his parents, who had also been in the theatre and who, because of this, showed him the wide world of acting. Peter also said that Buttons was his favourite character because of the sympathy felt for him, and also because he claimed that as he got older; '...I'm a bit old to fall in love with Cinderella...'

Vicki Michelle did her first pantomime at a young age under the watchful eye of her mother (who was also into acting) and played the role of the wicked witch. She loved the experience, and continued and played various other characters, such as the good fairies (fairy godmother), and other various roles. However, Vicki said that when you were doing pantomimes; '...You have to be able to suffer rejection...'

All in all, the day was one that we weren't going to forget for a long time, and we could all appreciate the time that these two acting legends could spend with us.

John McShane 10K

Members of the star-studded cast of Snow White gave Broadoak students some tips on how 'learn your lines'.

For Peter Duncan, acting is in his blood. The star of Snow White said that his Mum and Dad had the most influence on his acting career, as they did plays and shows when he was a boy. He also started his acting career when he was only 15 years old. He is most commonly known for his period on the popular television programme, 'Blue Peter'. Vicki Michelle's background was also surprisingly similar, as her mum was an actress. She soon started training as a dancer but very soon realised that she preferred acting. Vicki said "Certain people just had stage presence so that if you were in the audience then your eye would automatically be drawn to them, even if they weren't the main star". Vicki and Peter also said that you have to be 'a good public speaker' to be an actor or actress. Peter Duncan also said that the best ways to learn your lines was repetition, when you repeat them over and over and over again. Vicki said that the best way she knew was to read them before she went to bed and somehow they just stuck. Peter said that being an actor is a challenge and that he has definitely got more confident his acting skills.

By Lizzie McShane 7w

Putting down his scissors and glue, Peter Duncan returned to one of the theatres reminiscent of his childhood along with the Allo Allo actor Vikki Michelle. Despite being used to fast flowing and large scale productions the two actors seemed quite content in the midscale Playhouse. Comments were made on the wonderful atmosphere of such a small theatre "it's so intimate, everyone gets involved. It's a really cosy theatre."Both stars stressed how wonderful it was that a greatly anticipated and widely acknowledged production is showing at the struggling Playhouse bringing much needed publicity to the well loved building.

The two actors had been brought back to the roots of their career and couldn't help but think back to what brought them to where they are now. Both of them had started their careers in pantos at a young age before moving in to more diverse TV, theatre and film roles. They couldn't stress more how important small theatres such as the playhouse are to young actors as they are the starting blocks to the acting profession. Vikki and Peter continued to say how it is a shame that despite the well put-together performances, the Playhouse is desperately trying to stay afloat. In the current economy people are no longer buying tickets to the traditional pantomimes and consequently places like the Playhouse are perishing. This is a great misfortune as it is not just the buildings that are being forgotten, it's the memories as well.

Ceri Boulton, 16

Katie Boulton, 14

Save our theatres

Celebrities. Normally a group of people we assume are used to the finest, largest and most expensive theatres that are in the country. And yet here we have Vikki Michelle and Peter Duncan performing in our average sized Playhouse.

The stars have both featured on TV and in large scale theatrical productions and films, such as "Allo allo" and "Blue Peter" in past years. And yet they are both involved in work in smaller, more "cozy" theatres, and more importantly, are keen to keep these theatres alive. Both stars expressed how important it was that we keep coming to our playhouse, or we may lose it. Seeing as both have been involved in the performing world for most of their lives, it seems important we listen to their experience.

The fact is, our playhouse is losing money each year and if it starts making an even bigger loss, it will have to be closed in the near future. This would be a tragic loss for our community with children unable to watch pantomimes and aspiring actors without a place to put on performances for friends family and the public to watch. It would also mean we wouldn't attract the big acting names we have throughout the years.

Smaller theatres like ours are the route in for the majority of actors; people don't just spring to TV in an instant. Both Peter and Vikki started on the stage, Peter in pantos and plays, Vikki being more into dancing. Without venues like the playhouse, its possible neither would have made it as far as they have, so its wonderful to see influential names like theirs coming back down to the roots and encouraging young people to go to performances. The stars truly illustrated how important it is we appreciate our playhouse, hopefully it won't be a message we are receiving too late...

Belinda Louise Hill, 15

Wise Words in Weston

Last week, I went, with a group of students from my school (Broadoak) to the Playhouse with the intension of interviewing a few stars of this years Pantomime 'Snow White'. We were fortunate enough to speak directly to Peter Duncan, Blue Peter presenter (1980-1986) and Vicki Michelle of Allo Allo. Both of these celebrities are to play key characters in the roles of Muddles and The Wicked Queen.

We came at an exciting moment as not only the scenery was being set up but also the actors and actresses were in the process of rehearsals. Unfortunately this meant we didn't have much time however, we got some amazing insight from them into the future of small theatres.

Firstly, we asked Vicki and Peter to share with us what roles they have played in the past. Peter said he had played many heroes but his preferred and favourite role was Buttons and he is very much looking forward to this in 2009's Panto. Vicki told us that she had often played fairies but really enjoys playing the 'Wicked' roles.

So, how did they both find fame? Peter Duncan's parents did Panto and this planted a thought that he wanted to do it himself. He starred in his very first Panto at the age of fifteen. After this, he went on to be a 'Blue Peter' presenter and a national role model to young children. Vicki's Mum was an actress. This of course influenced her to follow the path of her mother and she started with small productions. After this came the legendary comedy 'Allo Allo'.

Peter and Vicki then asked us about our school studies, interests and aspirations. They both offered wise words of advice and encouragement. Peter "Actors are committed, rarely ill and don't miss rehearsals- working to deadlines" and "You must have a driven work ethic". Vicki followed this by saying "You have to suffer rejection" and "Pure talent comes, not from your teachers or school but from yourself."

Any one of us can take steps to become a dancer, musician or actor but few of us are lucky enough to find it within.

To finish, we asked them about their thoughts on the Playhouse itself. They both shared the idea that we all must continue to visit the fantastic place it is or we may loose it in the near future. Audiences are getting smaller and therefore, so are the profits. Unfortunately, if people are prepared to spend money at all, they wish to do so for larger shows.

Peter and Vicki handed us all an incredible opportunity regarding our Journalism course and we all left the Playhouse inspired to pursue our aspirations and individual journeys.

Katherine Oakley -Year 10 Student