How Many?!?
The NODA District 2 Award nominations are out and Bispham CastAways has received a total of FOURTEEN nominations!! We’re now all looking forward to the awards evening on February 24th… keep your fingers crossed for us!
World Debut Success
The world debut of CastAways own Linda McKenzie’s thoughtful and surprising play, Memories, was a big success across the three performances on the 31st of March and the 1st of April! Audiences were treated to surprising twists and turns with an ending that left some in tears. Linda’s first play was also a directorial debut for Lesley Amos who did a great job with a play that needed restraint. Everyone at Bispham CastAways looks forward to seeing what these two talented ladies do next!
And there’s more!!!
Even more nominations poured in for the CastAways following the release of the NODA North West District 2 nominations relating to pantomimes! A further 5 nominations were announced for the CastAways all from their production of The Wicked Witches Of Oz by Peter Nuttall. They were:
- Best Pantomime – The Wicked Witches of Oz
- Best Director of a Pantomime – Harry Chambers – The Wicked Witches Of Oz
- Best Pantomime Dame – Ian Dodd – Momby/Aunty Em – The Wicked Witches Of Oz
- Best Pantomime Villain – Susan Hope – Edna/Wicked Witch of the West – The Wicked Witches Of Oz
- Best Leading Performance in a Pantomime – Hayley Price – Toto – The Wicked Witches of Oz
This brought the nominations at the upcoming NODA awards to a massive ELEVEN for Bispham CastAways… what an amazing achievement!!
CastAways does Bispham Gala!
On the 16th of July 2022, Bispham Gala restarted after a three year break for COVID. Bispham CastAways took part again, participating in the parade and performing the karaoke finale from Old Boilers. It was a beautifully sunny day and the rose queens and their retinues all looked amazing in their dresses and outfits. The members taking part in the parade met at the gala field for Hayley to glitter up the girls and Sue to stick posters on everyone’s back. Then armed with whistles, bell sticks and our trusty dog mascot, Marley, we took off on the route. There were unfortunate issues with the parade due to the heat but we all made it back and, following the rose queen ceremony, sung our hearts out… despite the fact we are not a musical theatre group. Fun was had by all and we look forward to going into the community again.
What a great night of murder!
There were oooohs, aahs, laughs and gasps as Bispham CastAways performed their interactive murder mystery, Cruise of Carnage by Belladonna Mysteries, across two nights on April 8th and 9th 2022. Everyone had a great time helped by a lovely hot pot supper. There were winners and lots of ”I told you so’s” going around as the killer was revealed. We can’t wait for the next one!
Pantomime Success
Bispham CastAways performances of Cinderella by Ben Crocker went down an absolute treat with two very appreciative audiences! The acting was superb and included onstage debuts from Tara Stott as Cinderella, Emma Jelley as Prince Charming, Jennifer Maycock as Snatch and Adam Smithson as Bispham Bronco. The set and a lot of props had been lovingly hand produced through hours of hard work by the extremely talented Gary Tunnicliffe. An amazing amount of sound, lighting and special effects had taken further hours of dedicated searching, sourcing, building and creating by the fabulous Ian Fleetwood. This was a true group effort for the CastAways who are all extremely proud of the fairytale pantomime they created!
New Winner!
All this happiness for filling out our e-survey following our last production! Well done to Elma.
CastAways does Pride
Some hardy members of Bispham CastAways braved the rain and winds on the promenade to walk in the Blackpool Pride 2019 parade. Armed with rainbow face paint, jingle sticks, rattling hula hoops, bubble guns and huge smiles, they carried the banner for the group in support of the LGBT community from South Pier to The Metropole.
Seaside Success
It was such fun at the “Seaview”, two minutes from the sea, under the hard gaze of Mrs Austin. This play was the first by Bispham CastAways and played to two very appreciative audiences on the 26th and 27th of April. There were laughs galore at the antics of the Blackpool boarding house residents during a typically English week in August in the 1950s. A financial success as well with a great NODA review put the cherry on top of the cake!
We’ve Done It!
Yes, we have had email confirmation from The Charity Commission that all of our hard work has paid off. We have become a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and our Registered Charity Number is 1182404. We would like to thank our case worker for his help during the process and all the trustees and members who have supported this bid. Now the hard work starts!