Features
Oh yes the stalwarts will retire
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| Muriel Grange, Kath Williams and Jean Gledhill |
As Director Kath Williams finalises rehearsals this week for this year's Yeadon Charities Pantomime show week will be tinged with sadness as two long serving stalwarts will be retiring - both for the second time!
Kath said: "Once again it's pantomime season and it is with great pleasure that I am once again at the helm of this production. Over the years Yeadon Charities have always had a good reputation and our aim is always to achieve high.
"Once again our scriptwriters are Peter Long and Keith Rawnsley and with a double act like that you can be assured of an evening of fun and laughter. As Director of Sleeping Beauty' I can assure you all of a wonderful talented cast, complete with wonderful costumes, scenery and make-up. Not forgetting our Musical Director Derek Broadbent and his brilliant musicians who make the audiences sing along and applaud.
"All this makes for another memorable pantomime with maybe some surprises in store but it is with great sadness that after our panto we are to lose our wonderful choreographer Jean Gledhill and our talented accompanist Muriel Grange.
"Jean is a talented lady and a very dear friend and without her the panto will not be quite the same. "Muriel has for many years held our rehearsals together and again she is a very dear friend. I wish them both a happy, long and healthy retirement."
Jean Gledhill is fondly known as Mrs G' to generations of Sunbeams and big dancers' and former members of her dance school.
Jean trained with Jean Pearce, (mother of comedian Billy Pearce who is starring in the Bradford Alhambra pantomime) and opened her own dance school in 1972.
Many of her former pupils have gone on to the professional world of dance and choreography.
Jean became involved in local musical theatre, becoming choreographer for Horsforth Grove and HALO (Horsforth Amateur Light Opera). She became involved with the Yeadon panto in 1974, working with the late Pauline Hey. She lived in Birmingham from 1984 to 1987 and moved straight back to the panto! She retired' briefly for two years but was invited back in 2000 and has continued ever since giving a total of 30 years service with 30 pantomimes under her belt.
Jean said: "The fun thing is seeing the children of my earlier pupils or Sunbeams, now being Sunbeams or dancers themselves. They really do help keep you young!
"It is really pleasing that one of my first pupils Tracy Annal, is to play Principal Girl in Sleeping Beauty', my final pantomime. I would like to say a big thank you to my assistant Alison Topham for all her help. Alison was also one of my first pupils.
"I know there will be lots of tears when the final curtain comes down but I hope that there will be some way I can keep involved. I would like to thank Yeadon Charities and all the people I have worked with for all the wonderful years of enjoyment."
Jean's husband Norman has recently taken on the role of Treasurer for the Charities.
Music appears to be in Muriel Grange's blood. Ever since she was five years-old she has been interested in music. Music came naturally and over the years Muriel developed into a much appreciated and much sought after pianist to accompany singers at concerts and dinners, and to play for rehearsals and in the orchestra for musical societies and theatre groups in Aireborough, Horsforth and Bradford.
She has given up many hours of her time to play at rehearsals for musicals - something which takes a great deal of patience. Fortunately Muriel has plenty!
Muriel first became involved with Yeadon Charities in the pantomime Peter Pan' in 1963. In those early days the Musical Director, as now, was Derek Broadbent. In those days, there was no orchestra - two piano's were used.
Muriel was accompanist for Rawdon Amateur Operatic Society for 20 years, her final show beings in 1976.
"My first show for Rawdon was Ballalaika'when Eric Waterhouse was Musical Director. He helped me an awful lot when I first started. I don't think I would have wanted to play for any more shows.
"Besides playing for Yeadon panto and Rawdon AOS Muriel has played for Ilkley Players, Horsforth Grove, Bradford Players, HALO and the Young Idea Group at St John's Parish Church when the producers were Robert Bashforth and David Norfolk.
For 25 years Muriel was a teaching assistant at Frobelian School, Horsforth. She taught music and piano. Muriel, who is an ALCM for piano playing first took lessons at the age of five.
"My mother used to sit with me for an hour every day while I practised - and it really paid off for me," she said.
A former pupil at Aireborough Grammar School Muriel's first piano playing job was at a dance school in Yeadon Labour Rooms. The teacher was Ester Teisner and she was paid 2s 6d (12p).
"Like Jean I will shed a tear when this show finishes. I have had a very enjoyable time over the years and made a lot of lovely friends. I've always felt part of a large family. I don't intend to sever connections completely - I can always make a nice cup of tea!"
Sleeping Beauty' will be performed at Yeadon Town Hall from January 18-26 (no performance on January 21) with matinees on January 19, 20 and 26. Adults £9, Senior Citizens £7, Children £7. Telephone 01943 874704.
3:35pm Thursday 17th January 2008
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