1 September 2011

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

SIAN Taylor O’Hanlon, who has appeared in several Chequer Mead shows produced by the Company of Friends, will be absent from their panto this year because she has been cast in the London production of Shrek the musical.

Sian has also toured recently in The Sound of Music.

Her stage success follows that of Alex Watts, another panto regular, who will be appearing over Christmas in a tour of Oliver! with Brian Connelly.

But Jake Tuesley, who regularly provides the panto’s “aaah!” factor will be back in time to appear in Snow White after his own autumn run in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

“A lot of local young people who have worked both on stage and back stage with us are now professionals,” said CoF’s spokesman Lesley Lowy. “Perhaps it is time we opened an agency.”

*Chequer Mead is offering “early bird” discounts on all panto tickets booked before 1 October.