Ellie casts her magic on Bridport panto programme (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)
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Ellie casts her magic on Bridport panto programme
10:00am Friday 11th January 2013 in Bridport By James Tourgout
GLITTERING DESIGN: Jessica Ives, Andrew Callaway and Sarah Pitcher present the prize to Ellie Wellman
TALENTED young Ellie Wellman is looking forward to the Bridport panto – she designed the programme cover.
The Bridport Primary School pupil beat 50 entries to claim the honour for Bridport Pantomime Players’ Aladdin production in February.
Ellie, 11, who lives in Bridport, attended a curtainraiser at the tourist information centre to receive her prize of free show tickets.
She said: “I was excited to win. I looked at other drawings and used my imagination.”
It is the first time the Pantomime Players have held a competition for youngsters to design the programme cover. Ellie, who has a brother Mannie, nine, has a double reason to celebrate – she will also be performing in the panto.
She added: “I was in the panto last year and I will be dancing in it this year.”
Indpendent judge and artist Keith Cast picked Ellie’s design which shows a glittering palace.
Makeda Downes, of St Mary's Primary School, and Charlie Gee, of Thorners School, came runners-up in the contest.
Jess Ives, who plays Wishee Washee, Andrew Callaway and Sarah Pitcher, who will be in the chorus line, presented Ellie with her prize.
Jess said: “There were some fantastic entries. Keith said he liked Ellie’s because of its brightness and its detail.
“We held the competition this year because we wanted to do something to promote the pantomime and get more children involved. We wanted to bring back the tradition of getting all the family along.”
This year is the 49th Bridport Pantomime Players’ panto.
Some of the best entries along with Ellie’s, Makeda’s and Charlie’s are on show in the tourist information centre.
They are hanging on a special 'Widow Twankey's washing line’.
The programme design had to include the title Aladdin and the £1 price of the programme.
The panto is being held on February 6 to 9 at the Electric Palace. Tickets are on sale at Bridport TIC.
Visit Facebook.com/bridportpantomimeplayers for details.
