Back legs are strong in Keighley panto! (From Keighley News)

Back legs are strong in Keighley panto!

8:41am Thursday 28th January 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share

A pantomime horse will this weekend boast the most powerful back legs in showbusiness!

The rear end of Napoleon in will be occupied by Riddlesden's long-distance swimmer Garry Vilmans.

He'll canter around the stage of Victoria Hall in Keighley Amateurs' family show Puss in Boots.

Gary swam the 10.5 mile length of Windermere last September and this summer plans to swim more than 21 miles along Loch Lomond.

It's no surprise he's playing a horse after his Windermere swim raised £804 for Haworth Riding for the Disabled.

Keith Marsden, who is producing the show with Patsy Peacock, urged people to turn up and cheer Garry.

He said: "The horse is always a favourite with the kids and this one should be well worth backing.

"Many an actor has started his career as the back legs of a horse but most of them stuck to dry land to prove their prowess."

The other animal on stage -- the title character of Puss -- will be played by Emily Priedavs.

Emily takes the role following success in the Amateurs' last two autumn musicals Summer Holiday and Fiddler on the Roof.

Keith said: "Puss is one of the classic characters of fairy tales and boasts a pair of seven-league boots in pursuit of the wicked ogre.

Tony Howley takes on this villainous role with help from his lawyer Slime, played by Martin Ripley in his second Keighley panto.

There is a new principal boy and girl pairing for the Amateurs: Jane Steadman playing mill owner's son Colin opposite Lynne Howell as Princess marigolds.

Playing Marigold's mum and dad, the King and Queen, are Peter Whitley and Steven Clark.

Also providing comedy are Tim Steere and Sam Chipman combining thickness with incompetence as Colin's dim-witted brothers.

The cast of principals is completed by David Brett as the Count Chamberlain, Jess Rowley as the Good Fairy, Kath Richardson as the Queen of Catland and Danielle Davies as Whiskers the mill cat.

Keith said there was a young and enthusiastic company of 35 dancers, kiddies and ensemble.

The choreographer is Judith Chapman and musical director is John Sunderland.

Puss in Boots is performed this Saturday at 1pm and 5pm, this Sunday and February 6 at 2.15pm, and from Tuesday to Saturday at 7.15pm.

Book tickets at Reids bookshop in Cavendish Street, Keighley, or by phoning 08450 170718.

Listings January 28

• Print
• Email
• Share