Dan Bates – Blogs

Monday 20th April – FIRST TAKEOVER 09 STEERING GROUP

 

Well, today we had our first meeting with the Senior staff and the steering group of Takeover 09.

 

For those that don¹t know what I am talking about this is a truly brilliant idea (not mine ­- Damian must take all the credit for this)  of handing over the theatre programming to Young people, and let them programme what they want to see.  This will happen the last two weeks of Sept and the first of October this year. This is also due to the Free Theatre Initiative and rather than us making X number of free tickets available each week ­ allows us to build up to a longer period and give more out etc ­ the idea being that Under 26¹s will be free and adults will pay.

 

The Artistic staff have loads of ideas and am fascinated to see what they actually come up with ­ Robbie – is the Festival Producer and will be working closely with me on the overall organisation, finances (with Janis) and contracts etc ­ he seems very switched on and excited about the opportunity.

 

I am delighted that we did such a wide recruitment for this group of people, as we have managed to find people to work with us, who have not been part of our work before ­ again the whole point of the scheme!

 

After a quick introduction with Robbie (Producer), Sam and Charlotte (Artistic Directors)and Rachel (Associate Director) we met the steering group for the first time ­ again a wide range of ages and backgrounds from 12 years to 25 year olds. 

 

I had to now take a back seat and let it all happen!   Claire (the Take over General Manger) ­ being released for half a day a week from her employers (York St John University) ran the meeting and the first job was to elect a chair and vice chair ­ Anna was voted in as the chair ­ and I think will do a good job of ensuing the views of the group are maintained.  The have worked up their aims for Takeover and again truly brilliant ideas ­ so coherent, considered and very special.

 

I then had to do a dull bit about budgets etc, but again it all seemed to be understood.  The scary bit for everyone is thinking about deadlines and deciding the programme.  The group have to the end of May really for copy ­ and devising the programme.

 

Again did absolutely loads and in an hour ­ a record board meeting I reckon!

 

I left the meeting feeling inspired, and very confident that they will all deliver a great programme and have a good time whilst they do it ­ my challenge is how on earth we tell everyone what they are achieving and how we can make the best of this opportunity for the good of the young people, the theatre, the city and our funders. I hope they are as proud as I feel!

Dick Turpin – Pocklington Post

Returning to the same theatre each Christmas for thirty years is an incredible achievement;  “ Berwick Kaler has woven himself into the fabric of the life of the city of York and gained a very special place in the affection of its people ,” said Professor Michael Cordner, Department of Theatre, Film and Television, University of York on presenting Berwick with an honorary doctorate.

That warmth and affection was evident from the moment Berwick stepped onto the stage, and “bottled ” for safe keeping as part of his pension fund!

It’s no mean feat to keep on churning out such high quality “ rubbish ” every year, but this man’s imagination knows no bounds; Dick Turpin most certainly stands and delivers!

Vincent Gray returned to York to play the title role of Dick Turpin, and demonstrated on  numerous occasions that he was a most appealing and nimble footpad. The Ceilidh Shenanigans featuring Dick, Clod ( AJ Powell ) and Leprechauns was a real highlight.

The choreography by Kay Shepherd was outstanding; numbers such as Invincible and Agothalypse Now were visual feasts.

David Leonard returned to play Dick’s enemy Count Vermin De Vile, with his usual aplomb, celebrating twenty-one years of playing the villain in the York panto. Favourite faces such as Martin Barrass, and Suzy Cooper added to the fun, but the show was stolen by Black Bess ( Jamie Harris and Brendan Lucas ) who won over the audience with her antics.

No surprise then that theYork Theatre Royal pantomime has become the best attended cultural event in York. 

Dick Turpin – Your Reviews

Have you seen Dick Turpin yet? Did you laugh outrageously at Berwick and the Gang? Were you shocked by the silliness of the costumes? Was there any sign of a plot? At all? Even a hint of a plot?

 

Let us know with your own reviews here!