Scrooge and Pirates all in one night!

The Cast of "Scrooge, a Ghost of a Chance" See all the photos here	"Protocol" from "The Pinafore Pirates" See all the photos here

Scrooge & Jacob Marley

"Snowing" from "Scrooge, a Ghost of a Chance"

The Pirates, Sam & Christopher

Three Determined Ladies

The Fairies

The Music Box's new Musical Theatre Class performed their first musical, "Scrooge, a Ghost of a Chance," at Stewarton Area Centre last weekend. Their production formed part of a double-bill of musical theatre with Stewarton Youth Theatre's performance of "The Pinafore Pirates." Both of the shows were very well received with the young actors displaying a wide variety of theatrical talent.

Energetic and Colourful

"Scrooge, A Ghost of a Chance" featured Jordan Cramond in the title role and his energetic, colourful portrayal of the miser was excellent.

Callum and Oliver Dowden, Megann Ferguson, Teagan Neish, Kirsty and Toby Teesdale and Ewan and Jessica Williamson worked incredibly hard filling all of the other roles and all the chorus parts. With eight songs and dance routines to perform, so many lines to remember and an awful lot of quick changes in the wings, this young cast excelled themselves in their spirited performance.

Stewarton Youth Theatre

The second part of the double-bill was Stewarton Youth Theatre's performance of "The Pinafore Pirates." With 14 terrific songs based on the work of Gilbert and Sullivan, some with complicated harmonies and many with complicated dance routines, along with a fast-paced, witty script, the young people had plenty to get their teeth into and, without exception, the cast rose to the challenge admirably.

The cast was headed by Sarah Allison in the role of Daisy and Kyle Trimble as her beau, Christopher. The band of pirates, women pirates, was led by Pirate Queen, Natasha Bullen and served by Sam O'Nella, the ship's cook, played by Ben Allen.

The pirates were defeated by the combined talents of Iolanthe, Princess Ida, Admiral Sir Joseph Porter KCB, Sorcerer Mr. John Wellington Wells and Major General Stanley played by Shannon Gilchrist, Jenny Morton, Daniel Glasswell, James Hume and Kieran Trimble respectively.

Nanette, the clumsy fairy was played by Sophie Teesdale. The many chorus roles of Islanders, Pirates, Fairies and Policemen were played by Katie Duncan, Robyn Janikowski, Hannah Reid, Cameron Martin and Max Murray with the help of any of the named cast who were available at the time!

Thanks

Director, Naomi Allison, was assisted by Julia Graham for the Youth Theatre production and Eleanor Willis, Sarah Allison and Shannon Gilchrist for the Musical Theatre class production. Linette Penney-Gainham of Penney Lane Studios, Stewarton, provided the scenery.

Naomi would also like to thank Natasha's dad for his expert assistance with sound and lights, Jenny's mum for her sterling work with the teas and Sarah's dad for his photography & video and general assistance.

The next production for The Music Box and Stewarton Youth Theatre will take place on Saturday 10 March at Stewarton Area Centre and will feature two one-act plays and a preview of music from the June musical productions.

Now is a great time to come along and give the classes a try and they enjoy some fun, relaxed sessions before the casting of the next show.

For further information about how to get involved in these or any other Music Box project please telephone 01560 482593, email musicbox@fireflyuk.net or visit The Music Box and the Stewarton Youth Theatre webpages.