Tag: York Ambulance Service

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Blue Light Theatre Company gives green light to new home at New Earswick Folk Hall for 2026 pantomime Owt O’ This World

Blue Light Theatre Company founder members Perri-Ann Barley, left, Devon Wells and Craig Barley

BIG changes lie ahead for The Blue Light Theatre Company as they announce their pantomime for 2026.

Acomb Working Men’s Club has been home to the York company’s panto since Blue Light was formed by York Ambulance Service staff in 2013, but financial constraints have led to the club’s decision to downsize by building a smaller venue on the existing Front Street site.

“Unfortunately this means that there’ll no longer be the space or facilities for such a large production,” says Blue Light stalwart Perri-Ann Barley. “We do have a new venue, though: New Earswick Folk Hall.  We’re very excited about this new chapter, although sad to leave the club behind after 12 years. They have been so good to us.

“The team at Blue Light express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone at the Acomb WMC; the committee past and present, the bar staff and the members for welcoming us into the club back in 2013 and allowing us to use this wonderful space, for rehearsals as well as the shows.

Blue Light Theatre Company’s cast for Owt O’ This World at New Earswick Folk Hall

“Without this kindness, the company wouldn’t have been able to raise so much money for our chosen charities, the Motor Neurone Disease Association York Group and York Against Cancer. The total now stands at £25,000.”

Perri continues: “For anyone who has previously attended the pantomimes, they would have seen that, even though the club concert room was huge, the stage and dressing rooms were tiny. However, that just made the challenge even more exciting, surprising the audience with creative and technical feats such as flying magic carpets, flying superheroes, disappearance tricks, transformation scenes and, best of all, a levitating witch!”

“But it’s onwards and upwards for the increasingly popular Blue Light Theatre as we announce our new venue as New Earswick Folk Hall. With great facilities, larger stage and backstage areas and fantastic support from the staff and management, the Blue Light cast is very excited for this new chapter.”

Blue Light Theatre Company’s poster for Owt O’ This World, next January’s intergalactic pantomime

The first panto at Blue Light’s new location will be Owt O’This World! – An Intergalactic Giant Yorkshire Pudding Filled Family Panto, written by Perri with additional script material by Steven Clark.

“Directed by Craig Barley and choreographed by Devon Wells, this Yorkshire vs Space-themed offering is ready to launch and take our audiences on an exciting new journey from January 28 to 31 2026,” says Perri.

Tickets for the 7.30pm evening shows and 2.30pm Saturday matinee are on sale on 07933 329654 or via ticketsource.co.uk/thebluelighttheatrecompany

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Blue Light Theatre Company on alert to stage Cinderella prequel Where The Magic Begins! at Acomb Working Men’s Club

Sylvie (Aileen Hall), centre, demonstrates her skills to friends Amelie (Perri Ann Barley), left, and Helene (Devon Wells), right, in rehearsal for Blue Light Theatre Company’s Where The Magic Begins!

BLUE Light Theatre Company cast members are taking a year out from their annual pantomime, but the talented team of York Ambulance Service staff will do something completely different instead: a prequel to Cinderella entitled Where The Magic Begins!

Penned by York playwright and actress Perri Ann Barley and directed by Craig Barley for a run at Acomb Working Men’s Club from January 29 to February 1, the brand new origin story is based on characters from the original Charles Perrault version of “everyone’s favourite fairytale”.

“Telling the enchanting beginnings of Cinderella, it’s allowed us to really push the boundaries of what we can achieve on such a small stage but also showcases the brilliant writing talent of Perri,” says Craig. “It’s a really cleverly written piece with something for everyone and we can’t wait for everyone to see it.

“Within the story we meet many beloved characters in their younger days, such as a young Fairy Godmother, who is about to discover her ‘gift’. We follow her journey as she struggles with a secret that could put her life, and that of her family, in grave danger.

“We witness a young woman who becomes so consumed with jealousy that she allows her whole soul to be overtaken by Wickedness!”

Devon Wells’s Helene and Kristian Barley’s Francois rehearse a scene from Where The Magic Begins! as Chelsea Hutchinson’s Delphine looks on

Perri’s story also tells of a future King who must fight to change outdated laws and Royal customs to pave the way for a future Prince to be able to choose his own bride.

“The show is packed with drama, comedy, emotion, magical moments and a jukebox of classic songs and show-stopping numbers, plus a big ‘reveal’ that needs to be seen to be believed!”

Assorted Blue Light cast members had decided to take a year’s break from panto after ten years, “but when they heard what we had planned instead, some suddenly didn’t want to take that break after all,” says Craig.

His cast comprises: Aileen Hall as Sylvie; Brenda Riley as Aunt Celeste; Glen Gears as The Town Crier; Kristian Barley as Francois; Devon Wells as Helene; Perri Ann Barley as Amelie; Craig Barley as Prince Louis; Chelsea Hutchinson as Delphine; Simon Moore as Remy; Richard Rogers as King Phillippe; Linden Horwood as Queen Eleanor; Kalayna Barley as Margot/Ella; Pat Mortimer as Estelle and Audra Bryan as Romily.

“Blue Light Theatre are known for always doing something original and different and this is no exception,” says Craig. “In fact, this production goes above and beyond anything we have ever done before or attempted on the Acomb stage and we can’t wait for our audiences to see it.

When Sylvie (Aileen Hall), right, struggles with her ‘gift’, she looks to Aunt Celeste (Brenda Riley) for help in Where The Magic Begins!

“Acomb Working Men’s Club is a brilliant facility that very kindly allows the company to use its space for free, which means we can raise even more funds for our chosen charities: the Motor Neurone Disease Association York Group and York Against Cancer.”

Since the company began 11 years ago now, Blue Light has raised £25,000 for the charities. “We would like to thank everyone who has supported us to achieve this,” says Craig.

Blue Light Theatre Company in Perri Ann Barley’s Where the Magic Begins!, Acomb Working Men’s Club, York. 7.30pm, January 29, 30 and 31; 2pm matinee, February 1.

Tickets: adults, £10; concessions/children, £8, on 07933 329654, at bluelight-theatre.co.uk or on the door. As a special treat after the Saturday matinee, a Meet and Greet with Cinderella will take place.

Blue Light Theatre Company’s poster for Where The Magic Begins!