Senior Solicitor Adrian Samuel Takes Centre Stage In “Jack and the Beanstalk” Pantomime – Oh Yes He Does!

Katie Appleby February 12, 2024

We are thrilled to announce that Adrian Samuel, Senior Dispute Resolution Solicitor at the Jonathan Lea Network, is stepping into the spotlight as Dame Dolly Dribble in the upcoming production of “Jack and the Beanstalk” at Westfield Community Centre, in Hastings. This family-friendly pantomime promises to be a giant of a show, packed with laughter, excitement, and plenty of audience participation.

Adrian’s passion for the theatre

Adrian’s passion for musical theatre spans an impressive 30 years, and his versatility as a performer shines through as he takes on the role of the Dame, a highly engaging character beloved by audiences of all ages. Adrian is typically known amongst musical am dram luvvies in Sussex for his tenor voice. He has taken on a diverse range of roles over the years even performing with the Treorchy Male Voice Choir at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on London’s South Bank and the prestigious Koninklijke Schouwburg in The Hague, Netherlands.

Adrian’s involvement

Adrian has written and produced this year’s pantomime organising every aspect of the performance from coordinating with the wardrobe mistress to arranging lighting rigs, sound and visual effects. “It has been amazing to get my ideas down on paper and then to galvanise a team of 25 performers to deliver a finished product which brings laughter and enjoyment to my community”, he says. This is the second year of pantomime in the village, Adrian having put on Cinderella last February. “From a standing start with two people and a dog at our first meeting to be able to put on a fully-formed show and then to repeat that this year, has been a great personal achievement. There have been plenty of headaches and sleepless nights worrying about all the intricacies but when the lights go on and there is a buzz in the hall as the audience awaits….it is quite a thrill”.

The community and giving back!

“Jack and the Beanstalk” isn’t just about entertaining the community—it’s also about giving back. Proceeds from the run, which is set to sell 600 tickets, will support two deserving charities: The Bright Foundation a local charity curated by the highly-regarded costumier, John Bright and Chestnut Tree House. This charitable aspect adds an extra layer of purpose to the show, highlighting the power of theatre to make a positive impact beyond the stage.

Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of volunteers from the Westfield community is working to ensure that every aspect of the production runs smoothly.

As Adrian takes to the stage, we at Jonathan Lea Network wish Adrian all the very best with his performance.

Want to go?

Don’t miss your chance to catch “Jack and the Beanstalk” at Westfield Community Centre, with shows running from Wednesday 14th February to Saturday 17th February at 7:30 PM nightly. It’s sure to be a magical evening for the whole family!