Our next show

We are delighted to confirm that Menston Thespians pantomime will return in February 2024 to Kirklands Community Centre in Menston! We will be performing Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood on Thursday 15th, Friday 16th, and Saturday 17th February 2024. If you’d like to join Menston Thespians, or would like to be added to our mailing list for these announcements, please email menstonthespians@hotmail.co.uk.

AGM

Our AGM will be held at 7pm on Wednesday 13th September at Kirklands Community Centre in the Library along with our Auditions (see below). The AGM won’t take us too long, and is really important for the society. It takes a lot of effort to put on a production, so if you’d like to join the committee please email menstonthespians@hotmail.co.uk (you can always change your mind at the AGM). If you don’t want to be on the committee, but would like to help pick up some important tasks, please just let us know as well. Also, if anyone would like to propose any amendments to our Constitution, please submit them by email by 31st July. Any proposals will be sent to members by 13th August for consideration.

Auditions

Auditions will take place on Wednesday 13th September at Kirklands Community Centre in the Library. Kids 6:30 – 7:00pm (you are all very welcome to stay later), Adults 7:00pm onwards. Like we did last year, all main roles will have an understudy to ensure the show can go on! If you’re unable to attend auditions but would like to take part in the show, please email menstonthespians@hotmail.co.uk to let us know.

Auditions for any of the principal roles are welcome from those aged 9 (or there abouts) and above. Some roles do include solo singing, and all roles will need to have a strong stage presence. The principal role holders will need to attend the adult rehearsals so will need to be available between 7:30pm – 9:30pm Monday and Wednesday nights. Understudies can/will rehearse as part of the Kids rehearsals. Principals will be auditioned during the adult auditions.

Covid-19

As life has now gone back to normal, we just ask that anyone who is meant to attend a rehearsal but does not feel well should not attend and let us know by email. You feeling better and back to your usual self is more important, so rest up! As last year, we will keep an eye on any restrictions being introduced and will notify everyone accordingly. If anyone would prefer to wear a mask at any time however, you’re very welcome to.

List of characters

Robin Hood, a heroic outlaw

Maid Marian, Robin’s betrothed

Little John, Robin’s right-hand man

Friar Tuck, a monk

Will Scarlet, another of the Merry Men

The Sheriff of Nottingham, a black-hearted villain

Hansel, the Sheriff’s ward

Gretel, Hansel’s sister

Nanny Mangle, the children’s nursemaid

Clara Loft, the Sheriff’s servant

Hernia Septic, an unscrupulous crone

Weasel, Hernia’s dim-witted nephew

Fairy May McSquirrel, a forest nymph

Caramella Marchpane, a wicked witch

Sherbet, the witch’s scrawny talking crow

For the list of characters above, any gender can play any of the parts listed so if you fancy a particular character, please let us know. Also some have more lines than others, so if you wanted a smaller part (or no lines at all) please let us know as well. You don’t need to audition for a speaking part however if you’d like to be in the Chorus!

Rehearsal dates and location

Rehearsals will take place on Monday and Wednesday nights 6/6:30 – 7:30/8pm for kids, 7:30 – 9:30pm for adults, starting on Monday 2nd October at Kirklands Community Centre. After the cast has been announced we will also send out a rehearsal schedule. Please can you let us know which rehearsals you know you won’t be able to attend as close to 13th September as possible please so we can work out the best schedule for everyone. There will be other occasions where things come up, so as always, please let us know as soon as you can if you won’t be able to attend.

Chaperones

Under our child protection policy, we require 2 chaperones at every rehearsal (12 children per chaperone). This means that we will require parents of children to apply for a chaperone licence and assist us with rehearsals as well as during the shows. Realistically this is likely to be one rehearsal a month if everyone is able to help. We’ll create a rota for chaperoning as well. If you’re in the show we may ask for help when you’re not rehearsing, but during the show week we know you won’t be able to help. Chaperones are a very important part of our productions, ensuring your children are safe and well cared for. If we’re not able to find sufficient chaperones, unfortunately it may result in a cap on the number of children able to take part. If you have any questions on this please let us know, and if you’d like to read our child protection policy, please click here.

Membership

The membership fees for 2023/2024 will be confirmed at our AGM, but the 2022/2023 fees were:

  • Adults £20
  • Children £12

This covers you for insurance for every rehearsal and the show, and helps us to pay for scripts, rehearsal spaces etc as well. We will have membership forms available via email after the auditions.

Costumes

We may ask you to provide some basic costume elements (trousers, white shirt etc) depending on the character you will be playing. As always we try and keep it to items we think you’ll have readily available. More complicated things our lovely wardrobe mistress Sarah will create or source.

Socials

We will have a few social nights during rehearsals and show week so please keep an eye out for announcements as rehearsals progress.

And finally…

If you have any questions at all, please email us at menstonthespians@hotmail.co.uk or using the contact us form and we’ll come back to you as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you in September!