Strictly stars shine brightly for St. Joseph's Hospice

8 supporters of St. Joseph's Hospice in Thornton performed live at its Strictly St. Joseph's event on Saturday night (25 September) which has raised over ₤11,000. The event, which took place at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool, was the Hospice's 1st mass participation event following the Covid Pandemic which had a massive impact on its ability to raise money.

Strictly St. Joseph's, based on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing show, was supported by Marshside School of Dance in Southport which provided the professional dance partners and training sessions for all 8 participants.

During the evening, Abby Ready (18) performed the Quickstep to Another Day of Sun from LaLa Land with her professional Dancer partner, Megan Hosker. Amanda Fraser (44) danced the Jive with professional Dancer and Owner of Marshside School of Dance, Kaz Leach.

Cathy Cusack (57) performed the Salsa to Conga by Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine with her professional partner Carla Gwynne. Claire Grindley (45) danced the Waltz to Beauty and the Beast with professional partner, Leo Hollinworth.

Jason Maher (52) performed the Charleston with professional Dancer Grace Jones to A Little Party Never Killed Nobody. John Cooney (70) and his professional partner Lucy Brennan danced the Tango to The Phantom of the Opera. However, there could only be 2 winners.

The Audience Award, chosen by the audience on the night, was presented to Liam Marshall (26) and his professional dance partner Eleanor Woods for their Rumba to Wicked Game.

Then, the title of Strictly St. Joseph's Champions 2021 was awarded by the judges to Ellie Williams (24) and her professional partner Lauren Dean for their show dance to Fireball. During the evening, guests enjoyed a 4 course meal and entertainment from singer Scott Chapman on top of the Live Strictly dance show and a disco at the end of the night.

4 judges kindly gave up their time to support the Hospice on the night, including:- professional Dance Teachers, David Beckham Doyle and Jane Barton along with former Everton FC players, Graham Stuart and Ian Snodin.

All 8 contestant have raised thousands of pounds for the Thornton based charity by raising their own sponsorship. Local business, Delivery Network Experts Ltd, generously sponsored singer Scott Chapman's appearance and LeisureTechUK also supported the event.

Maxine Armstrong, head of fundraising and lottery at St. Joseph's Hospice, said:- "Strictly St. Joseph's 2021 was a fabulous success and we are so proud of all our dancers this year. They have worked incredibly hard and have put their heart and soul in to learning and practicing their routines as well as raising an incredible amount of money for the Hospice. We'd also like to thank everyone who bought a ticket for the event for showing such generosity and support to the Hospice on the evening. We raised lots of money from our auction and our raffle as well as from the audience voting on the night. A huge thank you to Marshside School of Dance for helping us to make this event such a great success as well as to our sponsors and judges for giving up their time to support the Hospice. All the money we raised from Strictly St. Joseph's will fund compassionate end of life Hospice care for people from our communities across Merseyside and West Lancashire as well as support for their families during a very tough time."

To see all the photos and videos from Strictly St. Joseph's 2021, please visit :- StjHospice.Org.UK.

St Helens Theatre Royal's brand new Christmas panto has been officially launched with a full cast announcement.

LEADING panto producers Regal Entertainments recently revealed its festive show is Goldilocks And The 3 Bears with Hollyoaks Actor David Tag leading the cast. The spectacular seasonal production promises St Helens audiences a fantastic festive treat complete with madcap comedy capers and all the fun of the circus; including:- circus skills and stunts performed by cast members. The full cast were revealed on Wednesday, 29 September 2021, at a special media launch event, at Liverpool's Shankly Hotel.

Goldilocks And The 3 Bears will run at the St Helens Theatre Royal, from Friday, 10 December 2021 to Sunday, 9 January 2022. Tickets are on sale now starting from ₤16.

The Theatre's Christmas Pantomimes have become a real highlight of the festive season year after year, and Goldilocks audiences are being guaranteed. "the greatest show on earth." The circus comes to town this Christmas in Regal Entertainment's magical Pantomime, Goldilocks And The 3 Bears. It promises to be just right with its mix of unbelievable circus tricks, madcap comedy capers, Regal's high production values, and a smash-hit selection of chart hits to sing and dance along to. Audiences are invited to join Goldilocks this festive season who, with the help of the 3 Bears, tries to save her Big Top from a rival circus owner!

St Helens Theatre Royal has been granted the use of the Society Of London Theatre and UK Theatre's:- 'See It Safely' mark. This certifies that the venue is complying with Government and industry Covid19 guidelines to ensure the safety of staff, performers, and audiences.

Goldilocks And The 3 Bears features a host of St Helens' favourites cast members, who have are training for 6 months ahead of the show to master a number of circus skills and stunts which will feature in the show, including:- aerial skills and hoops.

The Ringmaster is played by David Tag, best known for playing Sylvester 'Sylver' McQueen in award winning Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, where his character has been involved in a number of key storylines. The Manchester born Actor has also appeared in Emmerdale; the 2020 coming of age drama S.A.M, which has been a hit at a host of British Film Festivals; and can be seen as Prince Charming, in a new short film.

David Tag is joined by:- Timothy Lucas, as Baron Von Vippemall; Olivia Sloyan, as Goldilocks; David Phipps Davis as Dame Gertie; Scott Gallagher as Silly Billy; Jenna Sian O'Hara as Baby Bear, Harry Moore as Daddy Bear, and Chantal Amber Rose as Mummy Bear.

The creative team includes:- Director and Producer Chantelle Nolan, Musical Supervisor Callum Clarke, Choreography by Nazene Langfield, and Written by Reece Sibbald.

Theatre manager and show Director and Producer Chantelle Nolan commented:- "Autumn has arrived, the dark evenings are starting to draw in, so it's definitely time to reveal our exciting and wonderful cast for this year's St Helens' festive spectacular. Our pantomimes are a real Christmas highlight and we're delighted to be back in full swing for 2021; this is going to be the greatest show on earth! We're really going for it with Goldilocks And The Three Bears; a classic story but given a new spin, packed with circus fun, comedy capers, and plenty of cracking songs our audiences can all sing a long too. It's been magical bringing our amazing cast together and now really cannot wait to bring the show to life this festive season."

St Helens Theatre Royal will ensure that any Government guidelines still required in December will be in place to ensure the safety of theatregoers, venue staff, cast and crew.

St Helens Theatre Royal has a range of Covid secure measures in place. They include:- increased cleaning, hand sanitiser stations at points throughout the building, and a QR code phone app for audiences to order food and beverages to be delivered to them at their seats.

Customers are asked to continue to wear face coverings (unless exempt) as a courtesy to others, and are being encouraged to take a lateral flow test up to 48 hours before attending a show. People are asked not to visit the theatre if they have Covid symptoms. Meanwhile theatre staff are taking daily Covid tests. St Helens Theatre Royal's Autumn season brochure can be found online by visiting:- StHelensTheatreRoyal.Com.