The magic of pantomime has transformed a team of Norfolk care workers into stars
Care workers take to the stage in Goldilocks pantomime
Emma Knights Wednesday, February 20, 2013
8:30 AM
Goldilocks and the Three Bears panto performed by a team from NorseCare at Poringland. Goldilocks, Helen King, with the three bears, played by Liz Lockwood, Charli Sauire, and Laura Pearson. Picture: Denise BradleyThe magic of pantomime has transformed a team of Norfolk care workers into stars of the stage for a very special production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
And the team from NorseCare have shown they can put on a great show –oh yes they can! – with their version of the classic children’s story that they are taking on a tour of the county to entertain care home residents, their friends and family.
The cast and crew are made up of staff from different NorseCare care homes and the organisation’s head office.
After starting their tour on Monday at Magdalen Methodist Church, in Gorleston, yesterday they performed at Poringland Community Centre to an audience that included residents of Rose Meadow, in North Walsham, Philadelphia House and Mountfield, in Norwich, Beauchamp House, in Chedgrave, and the Housing with Care scheme at Green Lane View, Aylsham.
On Friday they will be heading to Gaywood Community Centre in King’s Lynn.
Helen King, an activities assistant at Mountfield, in Norwich, is playing the title role of Goldilocks.
She said: “It’s brilliant doing the pantomime. It has really brought everyone together, and it is a really nice outlet to have a bit of fun and entertain people.
“Our show is basically Goldilocks with a twist. It has got a few more characters, and has lots of laughs and songs.”
NorseCare regional director Jason Parker is playing the pantomime dame Gertie Glitter.
He said: “Being involved in the show is a really nice opportunity to spend good quality time with staff from different areas and build team morale.
“Playing the dame is certainly very different from my day job – I oversee the management of 13 of our residential homes and housing with care schemes so playing Gertie Glitter is extraordinarily different!
“The pantomime is a lot of fun and there has been lots of laughter from the audience, which is good!”
The idea to take to the stage came about after the NorseCare staff took part in a training day run by Helen McDermott at the Seagull Theatre in Lowestoft last November.
At the workshop they worked as a group to gain skills and build confidence, not only to perform and produce a pantomime, but also for their everyday roles working within the care profession.
Karen Knight, managing director at NorseCare, said as well as giving staff the chance to learn new skills the show also provided great entertainment for residents of the NorseCare homes.
She said: “It is lovely to be able to do something for the residents and tenants who live in NorseCare homes across Norfolk.
“We offer lots of shows and activities in our care homes but we thought it would be a nice idea to go out into the community and for different homes to mix together. Equally, it is a great opportunity for staff from some of our different homes to meet.
“We have held workshops before around team building activities for staff as well as activities for residents but this is a little different.”
Helen McDermott’s company Ohyesitiz Productions donated the costumes for the shows and she will be watching the pantomime at King’s Lynn on Friday.
