Preview: Wendy the Witch and the Long Lost Spell at South Shields Customs House

SPOOK-TACULAR SHOW FOR YOUNGSTERS THIS OCTOBER

Wendy the Witch and the Long Lost Spell

South Shields Customs House

Monday 23^rd - Wednesday 25^th October 2017

Wendy the Witch is flying back into action to get little ones ready for Halloween.

The plucky witch’s tales have become a firm fixture in The Customs House calendar and she returns in Wendy the Witch and the Long Lost Spell this half term.

Sara-Jayne White as Wendy the Witch

Sara-Jayne White, from Newcastle, will perform at The Customs House for the first time as Wendy, while The Voice’s Melissa Cavanagh, from Sunderland, is joining the cast as her jealous sister, Winnie.  The pair have to work together when Wendy finds herself trapped in the family home as a result of The Goblin King’s curse. The only spell that can free her was lost many full moons ago. Can she find it and escape? Steven Stobbs, from Sunderland, will complete the line-up, playing Father Wizard.

Wayne Miller

Writer and director Wayne Miller said: “I love returning to Wendy the Witch, she’s such a fun character to bring to life. She’s not like a Disney princess, but she’s someone young girls and boys can look up to and learn from. This year, as always, Wendy is in a bit of a pickle. She’s been placed under a curse, but also has family issues to deal with. Adding a little sibling rivalry into the script seemed like something a lot of the audience might just be able to relate to.

“The cast features The Customs House newcomer Sara-Jayne White and two faces seen at The Customs House before, Melissa Cavanagh and Steven Stobbs. I’ve worked with Steven many times and he’s always a quality safe pair of hands, so I’m looking forward to seeing what Sara-Jayne and Melissa bring to this year’s Wendy the Witch.”

Sara graduated from The Manchester School of Acting in 2015 and recently appeared in 1867, by 27 Productions, at The Tyne Theatre and Opera House and the UK tour of water education project Super Splash Heroes for Gibber. She said: “It’s an honour to play Wendy this Halloween and be part of memories made with families and friends. It’s such an exciting time for children to get creative, use their imaginations and play dress up. I’m thrilled to be performing at The Customs House for the first time, under the direction of Wayne and with a stellar cast. I’m sure it won’t be the last!”

Melissa Cavanagh

Melissa, who made it through to the Battle Round of BBC1’s The Voice on Team Boy George last year, appeared in Zipp! One Hundred Musicals for Less than the Price of One, at The Customs House last month.  She said: “I am so excited to be performing at one of my favourite theatres again. I’m looking forward to letting out my mischievous side for the role of Winnie.”

Tickets:

Wendy the Witch and the Long Lost Spell runs from Monday, October 23, to Wednesday, October 25, with shows at 2pm. Tickets, priced £7.50, are available from the box office on (0191) 454 1234 or online at www.customshouse.co.uk.

Other half-term family shows include Dick and Dom Live! on Saturday, October 21, at 2pm and 5pm, and Harry Panto and the Chamber Pot of Secrets on Thursday, October 26, at 1.30pm and 6pm.