Sapper the dog’s starring role
A new star will be born when Peter Pan flies into Grimsby Auditorium – and it has four legs!
Sapper, a nine-year-old golden Doodle, will make his acting debut in the Academy’s production of the classic tale, with two public performances on Thursday and Friday, 16th and 17th July (7pm).
Co-Director of Arts and Head of Drama Gemma Carter said it was a case of ripping up the old adage of never working with children or animals.
"We decided to go for it," she said. "We wanted to have an actual dog playing the role as part of our family. We thought it would be more effective than a child in costume.
"We knew about Sapper because his owners are Performing Arts teacher Cathryn Hadley and husband Mark.
"We did have a lot of dogs in the running across the team.
"I went to do a little trial run at Cathy’s house. We then had a rehearsal with some of the children in the family who will be with him on stage.
"He is such a lovely, calm dog and I’m sure he’s going to be fantastic."
Mark, formerly in the Army, hence Sapper’s name, thinks he will love it.
"It is the first time he will have been on stage but I think he will be fine," he said.
"He always gets excited about a new environment but he quickly settles down. Once he’s walked through it a couple of times, he will be okay.
"He loves to be the centre of attention."
Sapper met the principal cast at the first full costume fitting at the Auditorium on Cromwell Road in Grimsby.
Gemma said: "Just on the costume front, it has been a huge job to get us to this point.
"We’ve bought some but others have been made. Between us, we have sowed and cut out more than 1,000 leaves to go on all the costumes. Even Sapper has a costume.
"It’s been a long process but worth it."
Rehearsals were on schedule.
"We are really happy with where we are. We’re less than a month away to the opening show and it’s now about polishing the performance, fine tuning the singing and tightening the choreography.
"There’s a real buzz about rehearsals. We’re at that stage where you can tell we are on the final countdown and the excitement is building."
The title role is being played by Leah Gibson, who has the time of the first performance counting down on her phone.
"I am just excited now that we are 30 days away," she said. "I think the rehearsals are going well. Now we’re running it together, you can see how each part fits.
"I like my costume and it’s really comfy. It’s also different to everyone else’s and you can see that I’m playing Peter Pan."
Executive Principal Philip Dickinson "could not wait" for audiences to see the show.
"People were blown away by last year’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and some told me it was like a West end production," he said.
"I think it will be even better this year.
"In addition to the public performances, I’m delighted that more than 1,200 primary children will see matinees across the two days.
"I hope they will feel inspired about the opportunities offered at Waltham Toll Bar."
Tickets, priced online at £13 for adults and £11 for children, are on sale from the Auditorium. Please follow this link or go to www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk
Sapper with Archie Spence, who plays Michael, and Amy Appleyard (Liza) on the Grimsby Auditorium’s stage.
Peter Pan, played by Leah Gibson, is accompanied by Tinkerbell (Talia Fox) ahead of the school production at Grimsby Auditorium.
Peter Pan (Leah Gibson) with lost children (left to right) Ben Stevenson, Andrada Ivascu, Savannah Rose, Shayana Rose, Sofia Reeves and Jude Pearson.
Captain Hook, played by Jasper Barnbrook, and his pirates (left to right) Freddie Gardner, Lizzie Williams, Niamh Gardner, Alyssa Harber and Emma Hammil.
The cast members in their costumes, together for the first time, for Waltham Toll Bar Academy’s production of Peter Pan, which performs two public shows in July.
