Debbie Thompson’s column on the Sheringham Little Theater

Posted:
7:00 a.m. on December 18, 2021

After a 2021 drama, the Sheringham Little Theater is hoping 2022 has better times behind the scenes, director Debbie Thompson reports in her regular column.

Panto kicks off at the theater next week – but we’re already looking to plan the action for next spring.

Jack and Beanstalk opens December 21 and runs until New Years Eve, although we generously give the cast off on the 25th. Well it’s Christmas!

The demand for tickets has been so high that we have added additional shows at 10am on December 28th and 30th, which is great news.

And attendance at our school screenings was excellent with over 253,797 young people nationwide and 39,123 from Norfolk signing up to connect.

The cast of the panto Jack and the Beanstalk in action.
– Credit: provided by SLT / Richard Batson

So I hope that Jack and his happy team gave a lot of festive fun to families around the world.

But our thoughts are already on 2022 and what spring has in store for us. And the first buds are encouraging.

We are especially happy to welcome back our local amateur groups with exciting productions, which is an encouraging sign that people are feeling more confident in planning events.

Harry Wyatt as Dame TikTok in the panto Jack and the Beanstalk.
– Credit: provided by SLT / Richard Batson

Welcoming actors and crowds to such shows is a signal that we are once again becoming the community arts venue that we seek to be.

Stage Direct presents the comedy Miss Marble takes a hiatus January 20-22.
Cromer and Sheringham Operatic Society are staging Alan Bennett’s Lady in the Van from February 9 to 12.

The popular Canada Boys from fEAST Theater will return to SLT in March with a play about workers at the Colman factory in Norwich.
– Credit: provided by SLT / Richard Batson

Our Little Theater Players presents JB Priestley’s classic comedy When We Are Married from March 31 through April 2.

And our youth theater will finally feature Guys and Dolls from April 14-16 – two years after it was first planned, then stalled due to Covid.

Folk singer Sally Barker arrives on stage at the Sheringham Little Theater.
– Credit: provided by SLT / Richard Batson

Other spring highlights include:
Captain Calamity’s trio of three different children’s shows on February 26, March 26, and April 6.

⦁ To mark International Women’s Day, Samia Malik will present Songs to Heal and Empower live and recorded, in English and Urdu, in a show supported by the National Lottery and Arts Council on March 4 and ending with a session of questions answers.

⦁ A March 5 return of the popular Canada Boys from fEAST Theater based on a true story about workers at Colman’s factory in Norwich

⦁ Music includes a March 12 concert by veteran folk singer Sally Barker, who finished second on The Voice and has worked with greats from the folk, rock and blues worlds.

And good news for jazz fans.

Our popular Jazz in the Hub sessions resume from the end of January. Featured groups include The Paul Hill Quartet (January 30), Back to Blue Note (February 27), John Whitehead Trio (March 27), The Art of Trio (April 24) and Red Shadow Quartet (May 22).

So there is a lot to write in your shiny new diaries of 2022 when it comes to Little Theater shows.

We are extremely grateful to everyone who supported us through the turmoil and trauma of 2021 by attending shows, donating or visiting the Hub Cafe. If we don’t see you at a panto show, we wish you a Merry Christmas and look forward to exciting things in 2022.

Show details are available on the theater website www.sheringhamlittleheatre.com