Dick Whittington, Stockport Davenport Theatre. Cannon and Ball starred as Idle Jack and his Mate Tom. With The Rockin’ Berries and Leah Bell
Characters in Order of appearance
Fairy of the Bells: LAURA COLLINS
King Rat: TIM HORTON
The Captain and His Crew: THE ROCKIN’ BERRIES
Alderman Fitzwarren: GERRY HAGGERTY
Idle Jack and His Mate, Tom: CANNON & BALL
(Tommy Sausage and his little friend)
Sarah the Cook: PAUL HARRIS
Dick Whittington: CAROLE STARR
Tommy the Cat: MONA BARTON
Alice Fitzwarren: LEAH BELL
The Sultan of Morocco: JOSEPH FLYNN
Villagers, Sailors, etc.: The RUSSELL-LEITE PANTOMIME DANCERS
Specialities by
THE ROCKIN’ BERRIES
CANNON & BALL
LEAH BELL
Orchestra under the direction of: KEITH ALLEN
Synopsis of Scenes
Scene 1 CHEAPSIDE
Scene 2 OUTSIDE FITZWARREN’S STORES
Scene 3 INSIDE FITZWARREN’S STORES
Scene 4 THE BELFRY
Scene 5 HIGHGATE HILL
THE THEATRE BARS ARE OPEN DURING THIS INTERVAL
Scene 6 OLD WAPPING
Scene 7 SOMEWHERE IN LONDON
Scene 8 ABOARD THE SAUCY SUE
Scene 9 THE SHORES OF MOROCCO
Scene 10 THE PALACE OF THE SULTAN
Scene 11 THE DUNGEON OF THE PALACE
Scene 12 THE GUILD HALL
Dick Whittington is devised and Produced by JERRY JEROME and ROBERTA PETT
Directed by: MARGOT GAVE
Choreographer: LAURA COLLINS
Stage Director: MARK TAYLOR
Stage Manager: ANDREW EARL
Master Carpenter: PAT WYNTER
Props: JUDITH QUALTER
Wardrobe: JENNIFER MANN
Company Manager: E. M. JUDGES (Director of Jerry Jerome Ltd.)
Costumes and Scenery by: PANTOMANIA LTD.
Additional Comedy Material by ROCKIN’ BERRIES and CANNON & BALL
Programme
THE ROCKIN’ BERRIES
Brian “Chuck” Botfield, lead guitarist
Keith Smart, drummer
Jeff Turton, lead voice and organist
John Dawson, guitarist
Derek Jason, vocalist and lead impressionist
The unsinkable Rockin’ Berries have a special kind of rapport both on and off stage, which indicates that no bombshell will knock them under the water for a long, long time. With this combination of talent they have the ingredients of a top recording act, as well as being the top comedy/impressionist group in the country.
Smartness and true professionalism on stage is what counts for them and this, together with their capacity for creating an aura of warmth with their audiences and their exciting 76 sound of music will keep their entertainment heads above water long after many of their competitors have gone under for the third times.
CANNON and BALL
Tom Cannon and Bobby Ball are two likeable Lancashire lads who, in the last six years, have risen from comparative obscurity to become one of the top comedy double acts in the country.
They successfully “top the bill” at many of the leading nightclubs in the country and in 1975 they were voted the “Top Comedy Duo” by the readers of the newspaper, “Club Mirror,” and were subsequently asked to appear on Granada Television’s “Wheeltappers and Shunters Club Awards Show.” The boys were also featured on B.B.C. Television’s “Seaside Special” programme.
They have toured Australia and South Africa and their Summer Seasons have included Bournemouth Winter Gardens with Rolf Harris, and Jersey’s West Park Pavilion. This year they are appearing with Tony Christie in Cleethorpes. Panto seasons have included the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford with Charlie Drake and Jack Smethurst, and this last Christmas they were at the Grand Theatre in Leeds with Harry Worth.
Tom and Bobby recorded their own TV Special for Granada Television which was shown in May, and this, hopefully, will establish them as regular TV favourites.
The act flows with all the polish of a thoroughly professional job of work and the cries of “Shame” from the audience indicate to Cannon and Ball that the right blend of pathos and humour is as viable a commodity as when the great Charlie Chaplin first offered it..
LEAH BELL
Dynamic Songstress, Star of Television, Cabaret, Theatre and Radio
Started in the business at the early age of nine and never looked back. Winner of Stage Award, Top Female Vocalist of the Year, Bernard Delfont Award, Top Entertainer of the Year. Appeared in Pantomime in Sunderland and Newcastle. Toured Australia and South Africa. Fantastic season in Jersey, Channel Islands, and now looking forward to a great Pantomime in Stockport.
PAUL HARRIS
Paul Harris plays pantomime in this theatre for the first time, but we are sure that the Stockport audience will appreciate his comedy. He has, in the past, played Dame at the Theatre Royal, Norwich; the Opera House, Belfast; Kings Theatre, Southsea; and many other theatres all over the country. Last summer Paul starred in “The Big Laugh-In Show,” presented by Jerry Jerome at Newquay. In “Dick Whittington” Paul plays the part of Sarah the cook, a part that will give great scope to this excellent comedy artiste.
CAROLE STARR
Carole Starr has appeared extensively in all branches of the theatre; and has just returned from a world cruise. She was P.B. at Hunstanton and Ealing in “Mother Goose”, 1975-76; and last year was P.B. at the Civic Theatre, Chelmsford. She has appeared in revue at the Palladium Theatre, London; with Frankie Howerd in cabaret; and was leading lady in summer season at the Cosy Nook Theatre, Newquay, for Jerry Jerome. Her most recent TV appearances have been in “The Life of Shakespeare” and “I, Claudius..”
GERRY HAGGERTY
Gerry Haggerty, who plays the role of Alderman Fitzwarren, is an actor of many parts. With his booming voice he is the ideal straight man and finds himself so cast in many plays. During this Christmas week he could be seen in the ITV play, “Joe and Mary.” During the past summer season Gerry has added to his experience by appearing as Ringmaster in the famous Robert Brothers Circus. Add to this experience his sense of comedy and fun and you have all the essentials for his important role in this production.
LAURA COLLINS
Laura was educated at the Italia Conti Stage School.
She has worked in Rep throughout the country and has had leading roles in various Pantomimes. Laura has also choreographed a number of productions which have been performed in the UK and America as well.
Her television credits are numerous, having appeared in such programmes as “Z Cars,” “Sez Les,” ATV’s “Thriller” series and BBC’s new comedy programme, “The Other One,” plus many TV commercials. Her film appearances include “The Carry On” series, “The Selling Game,” and the Broadway smash-hit, “Applause.”
TIM HORTON
Tim Horton, who plays King Rat, and principal dancer, has appeared at the Edinburgh Festival, at the Thorndyke Theatre, Leatherhead, and at Southwold. He is delighted to be in pantomime at Stockport and this is his first engagement for Jerry Jerome.
JOSEPH FLYNN
Joseph Flynn has a great many television appearances to his credit, and operatic roles, with his superb tenor voice. He has appeared in the “Black and White Minstrels,” “The Fol-de-Rols,” Pantomime at Windsor, etc., and his latest TV appearances have been in “I, Claudius” and “Love For Lydia.” He has played over 12 principal roles for Sadler’s Wells.
MONA BARTON
Mona Barton was the leading light in one of Vaudeville’s famous acts, “The Ethel Barton Fair.” She now specialises in playing pantomime animals. This is her third appearance at the Davenport Theatre where she played the Goose with Hilda Baker and the Cat with Frank Ifield.
THE RUSSELL LEITE JUVENILES
Have been appearing in Pantomime at the Davenport Theatre for the past ten years. This proves an invaluable part of their stage training, having the opportunity of working in first-class productions, with top artists.
Some of the children who were given a start in this theatre, are appearing here as professionals this year.