There’s nothing like a dame - Panto preparations gathering pace
Dame Julie Jubilee from the Lowestoft Players spring pantomime, Beauty and the Beast. Dame Julie Jubilee will run from her home in the High Street, Lowestoft to enter the Theatre at the start of each show wearing her fluffy carpet slippers. Credit: Stephen Wilson - Credit: Stephen Wilson
There’s nothing like a Dame - especially one running around the streets of Lowestoft wearing a pair of fluffy carpet slippers.
That's the chosen footwear for Dame Julie Jubilee, who will be appearing in the Lowestoft Players’ spring pantomime Beauty and the Beast, which will hit the stage later this month.
Having sprinted from her home on the High Street in Lowestoft, Dame Julie Jubilee will enter the Theatre at the start of each performance wearing her slippers.
Playing the character will be James Atkin, a member of The Lowestoft Players for eight years.
Although Mr Atkin has appeared in many Lowestoft Players’ productions previously, his last was the role of Simeon in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, he has never before appeared as a Dame.
He said: “This is such a wonderful character to play.
"As well as having some great lines and some very bad jokes, I will also have 10 amazing costumes to wear.
Most Read
- 1 Artist's impression gives glimpse of how £14.7m Cultural Quarter could look
- 2 Chance of a bargain as home goes under the hammer for £60,000
- 3 Retail park nuisance drivers cause misery with 'revving and noisy exhausts'
- 4 New hair salon opens up with its very own puppy on the premises
- 5 Lowestoft woman wanted by police on recall to prison
- 6 New lease of life for former Lowestoft town centre menswear store
- 7 Hospital opens £1.2m eye operation theatre to cut waiting times
- 8 Brickwork students enjoy masterclass at development site
- 9 'Blood rain' could fall this week as thunderstorms move in
- 10 Town mayor and deputy mayor re-elected for the year
"My colourful and rather flamboyant wardrobe has been created for me by our super talented costume team and I just can’t wait to show them all off!”
Dame Julie Jubilee from the Lowestoft Players spring pantomime, Beauty and the Beast. Dame Julie Jubilee will run from her home in the High Street, Lowestoft to enter the Theatre at the start of each show wearing her fluffy carpet slippers. - Credit: Stephen Wilson
So why did James want to play a Dame?
“Dames are always such fun” he explained.
“I’m really looking forward to the reaction to my character from the audience.”
Despite the amusing character James has been taking his role very seriously.
While other cast members have attended rehearsals wearing stretchy dancewear, he has been wearing a hooped skirt.
Mr Atkin explained that wearing the skirt helps him to move around the stage like a ‘lady’.
And carpet slippers for outdoor use?
“That’s not ideal,” he said.
"I’ve already run a few miles around town in them so I’m not sure that they will last for 11 shows.
"I must admit that I have become rather attached to the fluffy slippers
"Sadly they are borrowed so when pantomime has finished I’ll have to return them to my partner Hazel!”
When not performing on stage Mr Atkin is a Customer Services Advisor at East Suffolk Council.
Beauty and the Beast, featuring Dame Julie Jubilee, will be performed at the Players Theatre in Lowestoft from Friday, May 20 to Sunday, May 29.
To book tickets please visit www.playerstheatre.info or contact the Theatre’s box office on 01502 770020.
