New stage group casts its first production

A new local amateur stage group has chosen the cast for its first production.

Llangollen Musical Theatre Group has been formed to complement existing organisations by staging contemporary musical theatre productions at the Llangollen Pavilion.

A Meet and Greet event, held on Tuesday, August 6, was extremely well attended.

Almost 40 people registered their interest in getting involved with the November 2013 production of the jukebox musical Return to the Forbidden Planet.

Auditions for the show, which is set on a spaceship and combines the story of Shakespeare's The Tempest with a soundtrack of 60s and 70s hits, were held the following week.

The show's director, Paul Brown, said: "The auditions highlighted what a wealth of talent there is in Llangollen and the surrounding area.

“Myself and our musical director, Nigel James, faced some agonising decisions. We're delighted with the cast we've assembled for what looks set to be a fantastic production.

"This is a truly rock and roll show, so it seems fitting that several of our cast are singers and musicians in bands that gig locally.

“Captain Tempest will be played by Geth Foulkes, who has performed at the Eisteddfod with his band The Sublimes.

“Bill Hughes, of rock covers band Rain, has previously starred in shows for Llangollen Operatic Society and Tip Top Productions and will be playing Doctor Prospero.

“Jo Potts will be a familiar face to Llangollen audiences, having starred in the Pantomime Group's productions for the past few years as well as playing bass with popular band The Truth. She'll be playing Doctor Prospero's daughter Miranda.

"We're also delighted to have some young up and coming talent on the stage. Lucas Howson has just sat his GCSE exams at Ysgol Rhiwabon, where he starred as Seymour in the school's production of Little Shop Of Horrors. He's studying theatre at Yale College from September, and I know he's going to be fantastic in the role of Bosun.

"Stuart Dillon, known to many as a member of local band The Docktors, will actually be reprising a role he last played 12 years ago. Stuart wowed audiences with his performance as Cookie when Ysgol Dinas Bran staged this show, and he can't wait to don his chef's whites once again! You can expect an incredible guitar solo during the song She's Not There."

The other members of the cast are Justine Bradey (Science Officer), NIco Decourt (Ariel the Robot), Tracey Rawlinson (Navigation Officer) and Jillian Handley and Leonie Anne Kirby (Damage Control Crew).

Return to the Forbidden Planet will be staged at the Llangollen Pavilion on Thursday 28th - Saturday 30th November.

Llangollen Musical Theatre Group will be staging a number of fundraising events throughout September and October, with the first being a walking treasure hunt around Llangollen.

+ More information is available on the group's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/llangollenmusicaltheatregroup, or by emailing llangollenmusicaltheatregroup@gmail.com.