Treasure Island was performed in 2010 for the first time ever in the Company’s long history. This production was perfect for a cold and snowy February in Abergavenny, where the Borough Theatre transformed into a tropical island in the sun. The show was slightly different to the original by Robert Louis Stevenson but contained many of the characters including Long John Silver, who was played by Len Lane with great stamina for one leg walking. Heaving chests, a secret map, beards and a seafaring yarn made up this traditional pantomime for all the family.
Download a copy of the programme for the production of Treasure Island in PDF format.
Half Term in February saw the stage of the Borough Theatre sparkle with the production of Puss in Boots. Staring Mollie Brickley-Clark as the delightful Puss. Also heading the cast as Dame Dumpling was the always popular Ken Jones, whose ever increasing eccentricities bring a new dimension to the role year after year. Supporting him as Big Mac and Little Slack were company newcomer Colin Lewis and comedy stalwart Stephen Clark, who also directed the production with his customary gusto. The large and energetic chorus grabbed everyone’s attention, under the guidance of musical director & choreographer Jaci Brickley-Clark, delighting with their every appearance, with I’m a Believer, Pack Up, Michael Jackson’s Thriller and the rafter-raising finale helped make this a truly memorable evening. This was traditional pantomime, purr-fect for all the family!
Download a copy of the programme for the 2011 production of Puss in Boots in PDF format.
With Abergavenny Pantomime Company celebrating its landmark 80th anniversary it was only fitting that it made it a memorable one by performing Peter Pan. For the second time in the Company’s long history, cast and chorus members took to the air to fly high above the Borough Theatre’s stage with the assistance from ‘Flying by Foy’ who provided the flying effects. Just like in 2003, when APC last staged Peter Pan, the Production Team led by Stephen Clark and his wife Jaci Brickley-Clark deserved credit once again for ones of its best ever shows. Colourful, lively and packed with great music and fun Peter Pan had the audience gripped from its dramatic piratical opening to its 60s style finale. With APC investing much energy and money into the flying scenes, ticket prices were increased by a fraction. However with the tremendous reviews from sell out audiences and from the local press the end result was well worth it... ...something which Abergavenny audiences have known for the past 80 years.
Download a copy of the programme for the 2012 production of Peter Pan in PDF format.
In 2013 we were flying again on a magic carpet to the orient in Aladdin. Our Producer and writer Stephen (Snowy) Clark has again put his own interpretation on an old favourite. Set in old China several hundred years ago (probably before many of the cast were born) it was colourful and traditional.
Our Pantomime cast was possibly the youngest we have had with Peter Holder, Ken Jones and Snowy bringing the average age to at least 50 years. As ever, there has been a turnover of some of our younger members who seem to grow up so quickly and move onto their future adult lives and careers.
So dust down the magic carpet, we’re off on a half-term trip to meet Aladdin, Widow Twanky, Wishy-Washy and the evil, cunning Abanazar in this traditional fun-filled family pantomime.
Download a copy of the programme for the 2013 production of Aladdin in PDF format.
In half term 2014 it was Rumpelstiltskin, a show that the Company has not performed before. A tale by the Brothers Grimm, which is a little bit grim, a little darker than we normally perform. We managed to retain more or less the same ensemble as in previous years with perhaps some new performers in the animal skins (don’t worry no animals were hurt in this production) - you have to be fairly young and fit to perform in these.
We had to say a few goodbyes this year - Derek Symonds sadly passed away. Derek performed for many years in our productions and even when he retired he still came to support us. Thank you Derek it was a pleasure to know you.
Secondly a local businessman by the name of Arthur Alan Long passed away and although no one in the Company can recall this gentleman, he kindly left us £2,000 in his Will. Mr. Long apparently did the same for other amateur societies in the Borough Theatre area.
And last but not least, Ioan Wynne, the Borough Theatre’s Technical Manager left us for a new position with a neighbouring authority - Merthyr Tydfil - all together now - BOOO!!! Although permanently employed by Monmouthshire County Council, Ioan gave us a lot of voluntary help with sound, lighting and stage management over the years.
Ruby, a poor miller’s daughter, is forced to spin straw into gold when her drunken father boasts she can. Help comes from an unexpected source in the shape of an evil and crafty gnome, but at a high price. Find out what happens next in this traditional half-term family pantomime.
Download a copy of the programme for the 2014 production of Rumpelstiltskin in PDF format.
In 2015 it was everybody’s favourite Cinderella, a Pantomime we last performed ten years previously. The script for the show was written by ace reporter and editor of The Abergavenny Chronicle, Liz Davies. Then, as this time around, the ugly sisters were played by the same duo but after ten years they are even uglier, however their frocks are prettier and Botox helps.
Sadly one of our members prematurely passed away. Nigel Clark produced the artwork for our posters and programmes and will be greatly missed. Nigel was very talented and won several NODA awards for the design of our programmes and posters. We used the same one for this year’s show as we did ten years ago as a tribute.
It’s always pleasing to think that every new show brings in a new generation of theatre goers, to enjoy what may possibly be their first experience of live theatre. This may hopefully act as a catalyst in encouraging them to become theatre regulars or to even take to the stage themselves. This has been the case for two of our past members Alex Clarke (John in Peter Pan) who at a young age has recently made a big screen appearance. Likewise Rhiannon Wallace who has taken up the stage as a professional career.
It’s half-term and Cinderella invites you to join her in the chaos and magic that is traditional pantomime suitable for all the family. Meet the ugly sisters, the mean stepmother, a fairy godmother and Buttons as this most well-loved of stories is retold.
Download a copy of the programme for the 2015 production of Cinderella in PDF format.
In 2016 we performed Sinbad the Sailor, which we last performed in 1992.
In 2017 we again performed Snow White, for the second time in our 85 year history. Last put on in millennium year (2000 in case you forgot) it still retains some of the cast, the ‘older’ ones, but there has been a major turnaround of junior members. Every year we lose quite a number to university or who go on to do exciting things and we have to start all over again, but I think you will all agree that this corner of the world is never short of talent.
Once again we were well served by the Brickley-Clark family in their capacity as Producer, Musical Director and especially Choreographer, Molly, who was just a tiddler when we last did Snow White and had a crawl on part. We were also grateful to Liz Davies for writing the script free and gratis, as well as being quality it helped us to keep our costs down.
Snow White is one of the best known fairy tales, based on folklore and myth. The story was made even more popular when it was chosen by Walt Disney as the subject for his first animated film in 1937. Snow White was first published in 1823 by two German Brothers, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. The book ‘Grimm’s Fairy Tales’ is still popular throughout the world.
Our story sees the beautiful Snow White take refuge in the house of Seven Wharfers. Wharfers are slightly different to that of the original seven dwarfs that were miners, the Wharfers are men that work hard shifting boxes on the wharf day in day out.
Download a copy of the programme for the 2017 production of Snow White in PDF format.