Neilston Players to begin three-show run of Aladdin panto

Neilston Players (NP) will be sprinkling some festive magic tonight (Friday, November 24) at 7pm and tomorrow at 2pm and 7pm.

The shows, which have enjoyed impressive ticket sales, are taking place at Neilston Parish Church Hall.

It follows the group’s very successful sold-out run of Cinderella last year as they played to a live audience for the first time since 2019.

Dave Dewhurst, the chairman of the Neilston Players who is playing the role of Dame Widow Twankey, told the Barrhead News: “The young people that we featured last year are back again this year and there was a bigger influx of people who wanted to join which was great.

“Our group has a mix of wonderful actors starting at 17 and right up to lets say 50 plus and they put their heart and soul into rehearsing for around a solid five months.

"This year we are honoured to be working with a director with a wealth of knowledge and experience Ceris Eveleigh, who trained at London Studio Centre, University of London and has brought a wealth of knowledge to The Players this year.

“Ceris has worked all over the world with productions such as Billy Elliot and School of Rock and luckily for us as settled in Neilston, so whilst she is here we grabbed her.”

NP is an inclusive group of volunteer actors, backstage, sound and lighting engineers, who work each year to put on a pantomime for the families of Neilston and the surrounding area.

The lead role of Aladdin is being played by Tracey Nelson, while Emily Mullen, a newcomer last year who took on the role of Cinderella, is playing Jasmine.

“Also a massive thank you to Holly McLellan and her wonderful team of actors and dancers from The “McLellan Dance and Arts Academy” whose girls and boys start at 3 plus and every year take the panto to the next level,” added Dave.

“And not forgetting the wonderful Pentagon Events for our stage, sound and lighting and That Looks Good costume hire for our wonderful costumes.

“Finally our back of house team, Susan, Rosemarie, Lauren, Heather and all others who keep us well and truly grounded.”

Due to not having a permanent home for The Players, the group has had to hire rehearsal space and a show venue plus costumes, sound and lighting equipment, as well as store sets at Neilston Mill.

As a result each show costs around £6000, when all costs are put together, but the group only takes around £2500 in tickets because they want to keep the price down so people are not spending a fortune on bringing their family to a panto.

Fortunately, however, this year they have been “so lucky” with sponsorship and are really grateful to Neilston Windfarm Legacy, East Renfrewshire Participatory Budgeting and Spar Scotland, who have each backed the group to the tune of £5,000, £3,000 and £1,000 respectively.

“This now puts us in a great position to be able to fund this year and possibly next year's,” explained Dave.

“We are starting to buy some equipment and with the new (learning) campus (in Neilston) being built, we may be able to collaborate with the campus to bring next year's panto live from their amazing new theatre.

“Discussions are starting soon and we hope that East Renfrewshire and the team at the campus will greet us with open arms.

“This means that we may be able to do more shows and possibly two weekends.”

This year tickets have been priced at £8 for adults, £5 for children and concessions and £20 for a family ticket (two adults and two children or one adult and three children).

If you still have tickets to be collected you can pick them up between 6.30pm and 8pm tonight at Neilston Development Trust and if not we will have them at the door for you.

To find out more about any left remaining email tickets.neilstonplayers@gmail.com or click HERE.