Meet the Family Dimple!

We've already introduced Jack to you, so now it's time to introduce his family: Dame Dotty Dimple (his mother) and Simple Simon (his brother), who are as ridiculous as Jack is brave and as doolally as Jack is smart!

Dame Dotty will be played by John Woodford, a well-known face on the Island's theatrical scene, particularly for his legendary Island-wide performances as dame and numerous Isle of Wight Amateur Theatre Award wins.

John, who is also the chairman of the Island Savoyards and a long-standing member of Ventnor Theatre Group, started out with The Wight Strollers in 2014, when he joined the cast of Robinson Crusoe as Camilla Crusoe, whose flirtatious ways landed her a horde of pirate admirers and a husband in the charming Captain Perkins.

The following year, John returned to the Strollers stage as dame to play Widow Twankey in Aladdin, before taking a break from heels to play Smiley the Dwarf in our 2016 production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

This summer, he not only paraded the streets as part of our 'Dirty Dancing' carnival entry, he also played both Levi and Mr Potiphar in our July musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

John is infamous within the company for his infectious laugh, excellent comic timing and his sense of fun, and his turn as Dame Dotty Dimple will prove no exception to this rule...especially when he's paired with the incomparably silly Patrick Barry!

Patch will be playing Simple Simon, the latest in a string of comic roles for Patch within The Wight Strollers, and certainly one of his greatest!

Patch joined the Strollers as Prince Rupert for our 2013 pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, a performance for which he won an Isle of Wight Amateur Theatre Award. He made himself especially memorable for this win when, at the awards ceremony, he tripped up the stairs and flew onto the stage in the brilliantly comic way that only Patrick can!

Since then, he has taken numerous roles within the company, including Robinson Crusoe in the 2014 panto of the same name, Wishee Washee (Aladdin 2015) and Dozy the Dwarf (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 2016), as well as taking on the part of Napthali in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

An accomplished thespian, Patch's skills range from Shakespeare to swordplay, and he has been a member of numerous theatre groups over the years, including Ad Lib and the Isle of Wight Shakespeare Company, playing roles ranging from D'Artagnan to Lysander.

Patch's three daughters also perform in the Strollers as dancers, and he's often to be found having a 'proud Daddy' moment in the wings when he's not on stage himself!

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To see these two create comedy gold, you need to get your tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk on Saturday 18th, Sunday 19th and Saturday 25th February - you can get them online, by phoning 01983 823884 or by visiting Medina Theatre Box Office in person.

The Sweetest Fairy Of All

We are delighted to introduce Shannon Crouch in her debut speaking role with The Wight Strollers. 

She will be appearing in our February production of Jack and the Beanstalk as Fairy Sugardust, the sweet and magical fairy who watches over the village of Old Windy Bottom and saves the day when things turn sour!

So, Shannon, how did you feel when you were asked to play Fairy Sugardust?
Nervous but also very excited!

What's been the biggest challenge so far?
All the words rhyming - if you get something wrong, it's much scarier!

And what are you most looking forward to about the show?
Everything...and the sparkly dress!

Experience tells us that everyone has their own little ways to get into their roles - how have you been getting into character?
Channeling my inner girlies and finding random kitchen utensils to be me wand - a wooden spoon wrapped in Xmas paper with a tin foil star...and now a flowery spatula! It's Cath Kidston!

Well, that's the most important thing, obviously! Let's rewind for a second, Shannon - what was your first pantomime with us?
It was Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood in February 2012 - that feels like a long time ago now!

And what about before joining The Wight Strollers? Did you come to us bursting with stage experience or were you a relative newbie?
In Year 2, I was a Little Red Hen in a primary school production - but that's it! I was a newbie!

Wow! Well, you're not a newbie anymore - this is your seventh pantomime with us! Out of all the pantos you've done so far, which has been your favourite?
Ooh, that's hard! Probably Robinson Crusoe (2014)...apart from the mermaid wigs!

I have a picture of those (see right!)
Oh, good!

Blue hair suits you! So if it's not the wigs, then what is your favourite thing about being part of The Wight Strollers?
Being able to do something that I love with basically a massive group of friends.

And the big question: Why should people book tickets to Jack and the Beanstalk?
Because it's a family friendly fun show and supporting amazing Island charities

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You heard it here, from our very own Fairy Sugardust - tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk are worth every penny! And they're selling fast, so make sure you book in advance to ensure you have seats!

Tickets are available in person from the Medina Theatre Box Office (open weekdays 7am-9pm and weekends 9am-5pm) or by phone on 01983 823884 or online at www.medinatheatre.co.uk.

See you in the audience!