Dreams can come true – and just weeks after appearing in the 70th anniversary tour of The Mousetrap, Lighthouse is delighted to announce former EastEnders and Grange Hill star Todd Carty will play King Tucker this Christmas in our family pantomime Sleeping Beauty.
“I had a great time here in April,” says Todd. “It’s lovely to come back to this wonderful theatre and, more importantly, it’s lovely to be asked to come back.”
From the same team that delivered the award-winning in-house productions of Aladdin last year and Cinderella in 2022, Sleeping Beauty is being written and directed by CBeebies star Chris Jarvis, who will also play the zany Dame Nanny Nutkins. Also returning are Poole-based Production Designer James Smith, Choreographer Daniel Donaldson Todd and Musical Director Adam Tuffrey.
“Lighthouse is well known for keeping it local and keeping it topical, which I think is a lovely touch,” adds Todd. “And Chris has a real mind for this – we’ve not worked together before, but I’ve run into him a few times on the circuit and he’s a lovely chap, very clever.”
As for his character, King Tucker, Todd says it’s in the very early stages of development, but he can’t wait to get started…
“Funnily enough, I bumped into a few old friends who came to see The Mousetrap in Poole having moved to Dorset in recent years. They showed me around the area and I can see why – it’s a beautiful spot. So, I’m sure to see lots of familiar faces and, of course, family will come down for Christmas.”
Sleeping Beauty follows the traditional story about the beautiful Princess Rose who, at her christening, is cursed by Carabosse the bad fairy to prick her finger on a spinning wheel before her 18th birthday and drop down dead. That horrible spell is changed by fairy godmother Sunbeam so that if Rose pricks her finger on a spinning wheel, she will fall asleep for 100 years unless kissed by a handsome prince.
Rose is sent to live on Brownsea Island only returning to the castle on the eve of her 18th birthday when the curse will expire, but Carabosse has a terrible plan to spoil the day…
As the story unfolds, we meet the bumbling King, wacky Nanny Nutkins, and court jester Happy Harry, who’s actually the most sensible of them all.
“I’ve done quite a few pantomimes and I like to have fun in panto,” says Todd. “I know lots of people involved with panto on both sides of the curtain. We all want to put on a show that everyone enjoys – grandma, grandad, mum, dad and the children, of course.
“I can’t wait to get started!”
Tickets for Sleeping Beauty are available now at https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/ or on 01202 280000.
(NC)