Courtney Brown – charleshutchpress

October 10, 2025October 11, 2025

Courtney Brown directs Pickering Musical Society for first time in My Favourite Things – The Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein

Courtney Brown: Directing Pickering Musical Society for the first time in My Favourite Things – The Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein. Picture: Robert David Photography

PICKERING Musical Society opens an exciting new chapter in its history when staging My Favourite Things – The Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein at the Kirk Theatre from October 15 to 19.

For the first time, long-time member Courtney Brown takes the reins as director, while society stalwart and theatre manager Luke Arnold steps into the assistant director’s role to support and guide her in this transition.

Next week’s production marks an inspiring milestone for both the society and Courtney. After serving as assistant director for 2024’s sold-out Wonders Of The West End, she moves centre stage creatively, shaping a production that promises to be vibrant, polished and heartfelt .

Courtney is relishing the challenge: “It has been such a joy to step into the director’s role and watch this production grow from the rehearsal room into a fully staged concert,” she says.

Poppy Coulson-Arnold, left, and Ruby Featherstone in My Favourite Things – The Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein. Picture: Robert David Photography

“The cast has been incredibly supportive, and seeing everything come together – the music, the costumes, the choreography – is just magical.

“I feel so grateful to have Luke by my side, offering his experience and encouragement. It’s a true team effort.”

Luke, who has directed many of the society’s productions, has embraced his mentoring role with enthusiasm. “Courtney has a wonderful eye for detail and a real passion for musical theatre,” he says.

“It has been a pleasure to guide her through the process and watch her flourish as a director in her own right. I’m proud of what she and the whole team are achieving. This is going to be a very special show.”

Members of the Pickering Musical Society Junior Chorus with Susan Smithson. Picture: Robert David Photography

Running for six performances, My Favourite Things – The Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein will showcase the very best of Broadway’s most iconic songwriting partnership.

Audiences can expect a glittering selection of much-loved numbers, from the cheeky charm of Honey Bun and the playful fun of The Lonely Goatherd to the rousing barn-dance energy of The Farmer And The Cowman.

Alongside these highlights, the evening will feature songs from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most famous shows, including The Sound Of Music, Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King And I and more.

The concert brings together the heart, humour and sweeping romance of the golden age of musicals, ensuring there is something for everyone — whether you know every word or are discovering these timeless songs for the very first time.

Will Smithson, left, and Jack Dobson in Pickering Musical Society’s My Favourite Things – The Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein. Picture: Robert David Photography

The company of singers will be accompanied by an orchestra under the baton of Clive Wass, who has reassembled the musicians who wowed audiences at Hello, Dolly! earlier this year.

Adding sparkle and spectacle, dancers from the Sarah Louise Ashworth School of Dance will light up the stage with elegant and vibrant choreography. Their energy and artistry will bring a dynamic, visual flourish to the evening, complementing the glorious Rodgers & Hammerstein score.

The production will feature a minimalistic but striking set, built by the society’s dedicated Saturday morning volunteers, led by Rob Thomas. This clever design provides the perfect canvas for the music and performances to shine, while still delivering visual impact.

The society’s team of skilled technicians will transform the stage with lighting, special effects, and even a spectacular video wall, creating an immersive concert atmosphere.

Verity Roffe in Pickering Musical Society’s My Favourite Things – The Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein. Picture: Robert David Photography

Courtney reflects on the rehearsals: “The first time we put costumes, lights, and music together, everything suddenly came alive,” she says. “It felt like we’d stepped into the Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals themselves. That’s the moment I realised how special this production is going to be.”

Luke adds: “Our society has always been about giving people opportunities, whether it’s new performers on stage, new musicians in the pit, or new directors stepping forward. Seeing Courtney grow into this role has been a privilege, and I know audiences are going to be amazed by what she and the whole team have achieved.”

Pickering Musical Society presents My Favourite Things – The Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein, Kirk Theatre, Pickering, October 15 to 19, 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Saturday matinee.

Tickets update: selling fast. Box office: 01751 474833, kirktheatre.co.uk or in person at Kirk Theatre box office (Tuesdays, 11am to 1pm).

January 10, 2024January 11, 2024

Extra! Extra! Pickering Musical Society adds two more Aladdin shows at Kirk Theatre

*John Brooks’s Abanazar, left, Stephen Temple’s Wishee Washee, Marcus Burnside’s Widow Twankey and Danielle Long’s Aladdin in Pickering Musical Society’s Aladdin*

PICKERING Musical Society has added extra performances to this month’s pantomime run of Aladdin at Kirk Theatre, Pickering.

This winter’s spectacular show, charting Aladdin’s rise from humble beginnings to riches beyond his wildest dreams, now opens with a 7.15pm performance on January 18, while a Sunday matinee on January 21 is a new addition too.

“With the success of ticket sales this year, it looks like an additional night will have to be added next year too,” says director Luke Arnold.

Setting out on his quest with a magical lamp, a trusty genie and wishes aplenty, only Aladdin can take on his evil uncle Abanazar. Can he conquer the magical cave and who will win the heart of the princess in the most spellbinding battle of good versus evil?

*Jack Dobson, Danielle Long, centre, and Millie Fisher in a scene from Pickering Musical Society’s Aladdin*

The 2024 cast features Pickering panto favourites such as Marcus Burnside as the dame, Widow Twankey, and Stephen Temple as simple son Wishee Washee.

Panto regulars Danielle Long and Courtney Brown reunite as the principal boy and girl, Aladdin and Princess Lotus Blossom, while Paula Paylor and Rachel Anderson play comedic double act Minnie Wong and Winnie Wong. John Brooks, a relative newbie to the society, reprises the villain’s role, this year playing Abanazar.

The principals will be supported by a large chorus of society members, along with students from the Sarah Louise Ashworth School of Dance, accompanied as always by a live band, directed by resident musical director Clive Wass.

*All in for Aladdin: The full cast for Pickering Musical Society’s 2024 pantomime*

“Last year’s pantomime broke all box-office records and was a real high watermark for us,” says Luke. “This year we took the decision to add an extra performance to our production run and amazingly, with the support we have received already, we are once again on track to beat last year’s record!

“Working with a combined cast and production team of over 100 people, it really has been a joy to direct, and audiences can be assured of a fantastic, fun-filled production.”

Pickering Musical Society in Aladdin, Kirk Theatre, Pickering, January 18 to 28. Performances: 7.15pm, except January 22; 2.15pm, January 20 (four tickets left), 21 (sold out), 27 (six tickets) and 28 (nine tickets). Box office: 01751 474833 or thelittleboxoffice.com/kirktheatre.

*Pickering Musical Society pantomime’s principal boy and girl: Danielle Long’s Aladdin and Courtney Brown’s Princess Lotus Blossom*

December 21, 2023December 21, 2023

Pickering Musical Society to stage Aladdin panto at Kirk Theatre from January 18 to 28

*Stephen Temple, who will play Wishee Washee, in rehearsal for Aladdin with Imogen Smith and Poppy Coulson-Arnold.* *All pictures: Robert David*

PICKERING Musical Society cast members are deep into rehearsals for next month’s pantomime run of Aladdin at the Kirk Theatre, Pickering.

Once more the production will be directed by resident director Luke Arnold, who has teamed up again with musical director Clive Wass and welcomes a new choreographer, Leah Nichols, to his production team.

Leah is no stranger to the Kirk Theatre, having performed with the Sarah Louise Ashworth School of Dance in many of the society’s pantomimes.

“It’s been an exciting few weeks, welcoming Leah to our team,” says Luke. “We’re all really enjoying working with her and the energy she has brought to the production.”

*Comic duo Rachel Anderson, left, and Paula Paylor: Playing sisters Minnie and Winnie Wong in Aladdin*

As in previous years, the society has chosen a script by Ron Hall, who was a life member of the society and who wrote many scripts over the years. This one follows the usual tale of Aladdin, transporting audiences to Old Peking, where the story unfolds.

One of the most popular pantomimes of all, the thrilling story of a boy, a lamp and a genie has kept panto-goers spell-bound for generations. Families visiting the Kirk Theatre next month can look forward to a fun-packed show full of comedy, singing, dancing, slapstick, dazzling special effects, beautiful costumes and audience participation aplenty.

The cast will feature society regulars Danielle Long as Aladdin, Courtney Brown as Princess Lotus Blossom and Millie Fisher as Slave of the Ring. Linda Tester will return to the stage as the strong-willed ruler, the Empress of China; Will Smithson will play her bodyguard, One Long Pong; comic duo Paula Paylor and Rachel Anderson will appear as sisters Minnie and Winnie Wong and Jack Dobson will be the Genie.

*Pickering Musical Society cast and crew in rehearsal for Aladdin*

“We’ve got everything that you could wish for in our spectacular production of Aladdin,” says Luke. “A fantastic script by the fabulous Ron Hall; the most boo-able of baddies in the form of John Brooks, and dame extraordinaire Marcus Burnside returning to the Kirk Theatre stage.

“Oh and of course, the one and only Stephen Temple himself as Wishee Washee. With lavish sets and costumes, sensational song-and-dance numbers and lamp loads of laughs, your wish is our command!”

Pickering Musical Society in Aladdin, Kirk Theatre, Pickering, January 18 to 28, 7.15pm nightly except January 22; 2.15pm, January 20, 21, 27 and 28. Box office: 01751 474833 or via kirktheatre.co.uk.