Auditions... Talented leading lady sought for St Helens Theatre Royal's Christmas Panto Snow White. could it be you?

TAKE NOTE.... St Helens Theatre Royal is searching for the perfect Snow White to star in its Christmas panto... "Oh YES, it IS!"

Regal Entertainments Ltd, which stages the hugely popular seasonal shows at the theatre, is throwing open auditions next week for talented:- 'triple threat' performers.

The successful Snow White will join an all-star cast in Snow White and the Seven Dwarf which is due to run at:- St Helens Theatre Royal between:- Saturday, 30 November 2024 and Sunday, 12 January 2025.

Would be panto heroines must be able to act, sing and dance and to be available for rehearsals from:- 18 November 2024, as well as for the entire panto run.

They should also be based in the City Region or have accommodation in the area and be aged 16 and over.

Auditions will be held at the theatre from:- 10am, on:- Friday, 12 July 2024.

Actors will be required to perform a ballad and an up-tempo song of their own choice and also a monologue which will be emailed in advance.

Regal Entertainments Ltd has been bringing top quality and star-studded productions to the North West for more than 20 years. It is run by the theatrical powerhouse mother and daughter duo of Jane Joseph and Chantelle Nolan who produce top quality drama, comedy and panto productions which continue to break box office records.

It produces four pantomimes' at February ½ term, Easter, Christmas and in the October ½ term, with tens of thousands of theatregoers enjoying the fantastic family friendly fun each year.

Panto director and St Helens Theatre Manager Chantelle Nolan says:- "We know there are lots of hugely talented actors right across the City Region and we want to be able to give someone the chance to become the:- 'fairest of them all' this Christmas and star as our very special Snow White. We're proud of Regal Entertainments' long history of employing the very best local performers and supporting talent from the Liverpool City Region is very important to us. We’re excited to offer this opportunity to a talented future star and we can't wait to potentially add a new name to the Regal family. We're looking for a triple threat performer' 1 who is equally brilliant at acting, singing and dancing' to join a fantastic all-star cast who will be staging what is going to be the best panto in the Region. As a company that is committed to diversity and believes in the power of inclusive storytelling we welcome applications from actors of all backgrounds. I’m excited for the auditions and I'm confident we’ll find our perfect panto heroine.”

Female identifying actors interested in auditioning for the role of Snow White should register for a time slot by emailing:- Chantelle@StHelensTheatreRoyal.Co.UK.

6 exceptional people to receive honorary doctorates at Edge Hill University graduations

EDGE Hill University will honour six notable names with honorary doctorates during this year's graduations week.

More than 3,500 graduating students will be joined by public figures who are leaders in their field to celebrate their achievements; the honorary doctors have been chosen in line with the University's mission and values.

The 2024 recipients are:-

Chris Kirkland, former professional goalkeeper, a Liverpool FC player and winner of an England cap.

• Dame Louise Ellman, former Leader of Lancashire County Council and former Member of Parliament for Liverpool Riverside.
  

• The Right Honorable Lord Justice Holroyde, Court of Appeal judge and Vice President of the Criminal Division.
  

• The Lord Shuttleworth (Charles) KG KVO, who served as Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire until 2023, and Lady Ann Shuttleworth, who was High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1999.
  

• Steve Igoe, former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Edge Hill University who recently retired after 28 years service.

The week long celebration of learning and excellence will run from:- 15 July to 19 July 2024, with each honorary making a speech to a packed lecture theatre of graduands, and their supporters, excited to collect their hard-earned qualifications.

Chris Kirkland is best known for his career as a professional goalkeeper, he fulfilled a childhood dream of playing for Liverpool FC, in addition to Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday, and he won a cap for England playing against Greece.

Chris has been open about battling mental health issues and beating addiction to painkillers and has become an inspirational advocate to young people for being open and honest about mental wellbeing; he has worked in this area with the LFC Foundation and Edge Hill University.

During her political career Dame Louise Ellman has been a strong advocate for devolution and regional regeneration. She worked tirelessly to overturn miscarriages of justice, including securing new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster.

Lord Justice Tim Holroyde was leading counsel for the prosecution in the trial relating to the deaths of more than 20 Chinese cockle pickers caught by the incoming tide and drowned in Morecambe Bay in 2004, and has heard the appeals of those prosecuted and convicted based on evidence arising from the Post Office Horizon scandal.

Lord and Lady Shuttleworth have devoted their time to public service; Lord Shuttleworth has been chairman of the Association of Lord-Lieutenants for 10 years and patron to charities including The Prince's Trust Lancashire while Lady Shuttleworth is currently Lay Canon for Blackburn Cathedral and has held more than 20 positions of a charitable nature since becoming President of the Royal College of Midwives for Lancaster.

Steve Igoe first joined Edge Hill University in 1996 and has been instrumental in numerous initiatives that have shaped Edge Hill's growth and success. Under his leadership, the University has seen a marked transformation including more than £350m invested in award-winning facilities over the last 10 years, most recently a £53.4m investment in a new Life Sciences facility, Students' Union and accommodation providing 232 en-suite rooms.

Dr John Cater, Vice-Chancellor of Edge Hill University, said:- "We feel privileged to be welcoming Chris, Steve, Dame Louise, Lord Justice Holroyde, and Lord and Lady Shuttleworth to our Edge Hill community. Graduation is a wonderful moment for students and their supporters, and we hope that collecting their certificates alongside such inspirational people will encourage our departing students to pursue their ambitions with enthusiasm."

Edge Hill's Academic Board awards honorary degrees in recognition of the highest levels of personal achievement in academic, professional or public life.

Previous recipients include:- BBC journalist Clive Myrie, comedian Michael Pennington, better known as Johnny Vegas, actor David Morrissey, screenwriter and playwright Heidi Thomas, and Wally Brown CBE, ex-college Principal and community leader in Liverpool.