A teacher from Rooftop Studios’ Pop School and Stage Academy’s (PSSA) in Stone is set to make his professional directorial debut in a production of a self-penned pantomime at the Sherringham Little Theatre in Norfolk later this year.
Entitled ‘Robin Hood and His Merry Crew, The Panto’, the production was written by Nick Earnshaw and is an hilarious reimagining of the classic tale concerning the Nottinghamshire rogue and his band of supporters, with performances running later this year from 9th December through to January 3rd 2015.
Born and raised in Stafford, 33-year-old Nick has been Head of Drama Rooftop Studios for several years – nurturing a wealth of talented youngsters and steering them through their London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) exams. As a former pupil of Walton High School, Nick honed his acting skills in performances for the Youth Theatre – in addition to the Outdoor Shakespeare Festival – of Stafford’s Gatehouse Theatre, before going on to carve out a diverse and fruitful acting career following completion of his degree in Documentary Making at King Alfred’s University, Winchester.
Despite this being his first time directing a professional theatrical production, Nick has directed before, including a popular amateur version of this very pantomime starring students from Rooftop, at the Mitchell Arts Centre (MAC) in Hanley two years ago. Indeed, inspired by its successful run at the MAC, Nick jumped at the chance to see it performed to a wider audience.
He said: “I’ve loved panto since I was really young – the anarchic atmosphere and interaction with the crowd is unlike any other performance. It’s also a unique opportunity in that a Panto will probably be most people’s first experience of theatre; so it’s essential that they are done well and are thoroughly enjoyable. Over the years I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of some brilliant Pantomimes as a performer – I was in the last amateur panto performed at the Gatehouse before they turned professional, and played a Babe in Robin Hood; so panto versions of Robin Hood have followed me throughout my life. However, I’ve always harboured ambitions to direct professionally someday.
“We had a fantastic time with the show at the Mitchell Arts Centre with the students at Rooftop Studios a few years ago, so when the Sherringham Little Theatre offered me the chance of a professional run of an adapted version I quickly accepted and am eagerly counting down the days until rehearsals start.”
Studio Director at Rooftop Studios, Laura Keeling, said: “Nick is a real inspiration – his skill in not only writing a thoroughly entertaining pantomime in the first instance, but also being appointed director of its professional production at an established theatre, offers the perfect retort to the old saying: “those who can’t do teach.”
“We have a fantastic team here at Rooftop – all staff are performers in their own right and know the commitment and enthusiasm required to ‘make it’ in the industry – so they are perfectly placed to nurture talented youngsters seeking to pursue a future career in the arts.”
PSSA offers intensive performing arts training for 3-18 year olds through age-specific classes on Saturdays at its Stone branch, Rooftop Studios. Rooftop Studios, meanwhile is also home to Stagecraft Dance and Drama School and the Stone Youth Theatre; offering a comprehensive programme of musical theatre, drama and classical dance training. Upon enrolment in PSSA, students are given the option to sign up to the Brown and Mills Actors’ Agency which offers opportunities for career progression in their field of choice.
For more information telephone 01785 761233 or visit www.rooftopstudios.co.uk
