<![CDATA[SAME DIFFERENCE - SD Blog]]>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 16:06:45 +0000Weebly<![CDATA[something wicked this way comes]]>Fri, 31 Oct 2025 18:54:07 GMThttps://www.samedifferencearts.com/sd-blog/something-wicked-this-way-comes​We’ve been all over the place this spooky season — from witches and scarecrows to ghost stories and zombies! It’s been a whirlwind of frightful fun, and we’ve loved every eerie minute of it. 👻​

Thank you so much for having us again — we absolutely loved bringing our brand new Witches of Oz act to Leicester Haymarket this Halloween! 🧙‍♀️✨Are you a good witch… or a naughty witch?
(We promise, no flying monkeys were harmed in the making of this show!)

While our witches were casting their charms, three of our talented team were busy giving audiences chills of a different kind over at the National Railway Museum in York, performing original ghost stories written by the wonderful Spencer Wood. Among them was Neha Eapen, who you’ll also see on stage this Christmas in Jack & The Beanstalk! 🌟

Meanwhile, our Scarecrows have been down in Crewe, and our Intellectual Zombies are heading to Spooky Con at Stanley Square — ready to terrify (and educate!) anyone brave enough to approach. 🧟‍♂️📚

From all of us here at Same Difference Arts --
Have a frightfully fun and magical Halloween! 🎃💀🕸️
]]><![CDATA[behind the scenes]]>Fri, 10 Oct 2025 16:34:38 GMThttps://www.samedifferencearts.com/sd-blog/behind-the-scenesWe’ve been busy behind the scenes this week, devising and developing Jack and the Beanstalk with our brilliant cast. Here’s a sneak peek into the creative process,  a glimpse of the laughter, teamwork, and imagination that make our pantomime magic come alive.
]]><![CDATA[Meet the Cast of Jack and the Beanstalk!]]>Sun, 05 Oct 2025 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.samedifferencearts.com/sd-blog/meet-the-cast-of-jack-and-the-beanstalkWe’re thrilled to finally reveal the incredible cast bringing Jack and the Beanstalk to life this Christmas with Same Difference Theatre
Get ready for laughter, music, and festive magic — and now, meet the talented performers who’ll be making it all happen…
🎭 Neha Eapen

Neha is a fun, dynamic performer with a passion for family theatre. She graduated from the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre course at Leeds Conservatoire in 2022, and has since worked with Wrongsemble and Kenny Wax, as well as winning her first UK Pantomime Award for Cinderella with PHA.
Her favourite thing about Christmas is seeing her community come together and share smiles, and she can’t wait to spread that same joy with Jack and the Beanstalk!

📸 @nehaeapen.m
🎭 Spotlight Profile
🎭 Victoria Wickham

Victoria trained at the University of Central Lancashire and Arden School of Theatre.
Her theatre credits include Significant Other (Oldham Coliseum), Daytimers and An Irish Welcome (Chol Theatre), Personally Victimised by Regina George (Hope Mill Theatre), and Weight Off My Shoulders (Redgrave Theatre).
On screen, she’s appeared in Wedding Season (Disney+), A Series of Light (Amazon Prime), The Var Room (Virgin TV), and Bringing Back Golden Eye (Woodhouse Pictures).
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Victoria says her favourite part of Christmas is, “seeing everyone — it’s the only time of year we all make active efforts to get together with my vast family and friends!”
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🎭 Spotlight Profile
🎭 Danny Mellor

Danny is an actor, writer, and occasional stand-up comedian from South Yorkshire. He studied Drama at the University of Hull and Acting at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

His screen credits include Da Vinci’s Demons (Starz), Happy Valley (BBC), Coronation Street (ITV), and The Full Monty (Disney+/FX). Stage credits include The Full Monty UK Tour (2023–24) and Canned Goods (Southwark Playhouse).

Danny has also written three plays, including his highly acclaimed one-man show Undermined, set during the miners’ strike.
His favourite thing about Christmas? “Eating mince pies while playing video games with the family.”
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📸 @danny_mellor26
🎭 Spotlight Profile
A Magical Christmas Awaits!

With this brilliant cast, a whole lot of festive spirit, and plenty of surprises in store - Jack and the Beanstalk is set to be a hilarious, heartwarming adventure for all the family.
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Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes peeks, rehearsal updates, and ticket info soon!
]]><![CDATA[Sd Joins Rural Arts ON Tour 2025!]]>Sun, 31 Aug 2025 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.samedifferencearts.com/sd-blog/sd-joins-rural-arts-on-tour-2025We are absolutely delighted to announce that Same Difference Theatre has been selected as the pantomime provider for Rural Arts’ ON Tour programme this Christmas. Our new adaptation of Jack and the Beanstalk will be travelling across the North of England, bringing festive magic to community venues throughout the season.

What is Rural Arts ON Tour?

Rural Arts ON Tour is a rural touring scheme supporting professional arts in the heart of communities across North Yorkshire and the Tees Valley. 
Since 1999, the programme has worked with passionate volunteer promoters to bring theatrical, musical, dance, comedy, children’s and family performances to local village halls, community centres, and other non-traditional venues—often bringing first-rate professional shows to places that might otherwise not host them. 
Rural Arts

By collaborating with local volunteers who host, promote, and support events, ON Tour reaches audiences across a wide area—covering thousands of square miles and dozens of communities each year. 

The scheme helps keep community venues vibrant, enables access to art for rural audiences, and supports a wider ecosystem of performing artists and producers. 

This partnership matters because it aligns with Same Difference’s mission: bringing theatre, story, and performance into communities, not just in established theatres, but where people live.

Our Previous Rural Arts Pantomimes

We’re honoured to continue this relationship with Rural Arts. In past seasons, Same Difference has produced:

Cinderella (2021) — A classic family pantomime that toured under the ON Tour banner, delighting audiences across rural venues
Robin Hood (2023) — A fresh adaptation delivered in scenic, accessible, and community-rooted settings

These collaborations have strengthened our ability to build shows that travel well, connect with local audiences, and create memorable theatre right on people’s doorsteps.

This Year: Jack and the Beanstalk

This Christmas, we’re stepping back into the world of giants, beans, magic, and laughter. Our Jack and the Beanstalk adaptation retains the joy, music, and humour that families love — but is also designed to be flexible enough to suit smaller venues across rural landscapes.

Expect:
Rich visuals (giant props, atmospheric lighting) adapted for community halls
Musical numbers and audience interaction
Performers skilled at touring and performing in less conventional theatre spaces
A spirit of fun, warmth, and festive wonder
We’re especially excited to bring this show under the ON Tour umbrella, reaching places that may not often host pantomime productions.

Tour Dates & Booking Info

Want to catch us live? Full tour dates are available here → [TOUR DATES]

We’re touring throughout the north of England, hitting both small towns and rural communities. Whether you’re planning a family outing or a community event, you’ll find a Jack and the Beanstalk performance near you.

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