Post by SheWolf on Jan 1, 2008 13:18:39 GMT 1
From the Shields Gazette
By Leah Strug
PANTO star Dale Meeks has taken the age-old theatrical saying 'break a leg' to the extreme and ended up in plaster.
The former Emmerdale star, from South Shields, is starring as Dandini in the Sunderland Empire's star-studded panto Cinderella.
But on Saturday night he slipped and fell while performing the energetic Twelve Days Of Christmas routine, breaking his ankle.
But in true 'the show must go on-style' Dale got up and performed the rest of the show, despite the accident happening during the first act.
He said: "During the song we were diving around and have loads of props.
"There are six frocks, which are quite slippy, on the wooden stage and as I was leaping for my props – five toilet rolls – when I slipped and fell.
"When I looked my foot was in line with my face and I was on my back saying 'no', I knew it was bad.
"I heard it pop when it happened, and it was clicking afterwards, but I didn't think it was broken.
"I managed to finish the show and even went out for drinks afterwards, but I thought I better get it checked out the next day, and it turned out to be broken."
Ironically Dale often used to slip over for comedy effect, but told understudy David Anderson – who's been playing Dandini in Dale's absence – that he would not be 'slipping over' before he went on stage.
Dale, who played Simon Meredith in the ITV1 soap for three years, added: "I've been advised to have at least a couple of days off.
"Panto is the one thing in my career I love the most – even to have missed a couple of days is upsetting.
"We'll make good fun of it though, and I'll go on stage on my crutches. Luckily enough Les Dennis makes his entrance on a mobility scooter, so I'm sure I'll be able to use that.
"If the audience know what has happened they might even give me a
cheer or round of applause.
"I'm determined to go back on, but I won't be doing the Twelve Days Of Christmas again!"
It is hoped he will be back, with his crutches in tow, for tomorrow's show, where special guests and fellow soap stars Barbara Windsor and Steve McFadden will be in the audience.
Dale received a get-well text message from Customs House director Ray Spencer saying: "When we said break a leg that wasn't what we meant!"
A spokeswoman for the Empire said: "On Saturday during the Twelve Nights Of Christmas performance, he slipped and broke his ankle, but continued.
"He wasn't in the show on Sunday and went to see a specialist, but was told to rest further.
"He is hoping to be back on Wednesday with crutches."
Dale is resting at his home in Leeds.
Cinderella runs at the Sunderland Empire until Sunday.
For tickets, phone the box office on 0870 6031130.
By Leah Strug
PANTO star Dale Meeks has taken the age-old theatrical saying 'break a leg' to the extreme and ended up in plaster.
The former Emmerdale star, from South Shields, is starring as Dandini in the Sunderland Empire's star-studded panto Cinderella.
But on Saturday night he slipped and fell while performing the energetic Twelve Days Of Christmas routine, breaking his ankle.
But in true 'the show must go on-style' Dale got up and performed the rest of the show, despite the accident happening during the first act.
He said: "During the song we were diving around and have loads of props.
"There are six frocks, which are quite slippy, on the wooden stage and as I was leaping for my props – five toilet rolls – when I slipped and fell.
"When I looked my foot was in line with my face and I was on my back saying 'no', I knew it was bad.
"I heard it pop when it happened, and it was clicking afterwards, but I didn't think it was broken.
"I managed to finish the show and even went out for drinks afterwards, but I thought I better get it checked out the next day, and it turned out to be broken."
Ironically Dale often used to slip over for comedy effect, but told understudy David Anderson – who's been playing Dandini in Dale's absence – that he would not be 'slipping over' before he went on stage.
Dale, who played Simon Meredith in the ITV1 soap for three years, added: "I've been advised to have at least a couple of days off.
"Panto is the one thing in my career I love the most – even to have missed a couple of days is upsetting.
"We'll make good fun of it though, and I'll go on stage on my crutches. Luckily enough Les Dennis makes his entrance on a mobility scooter, so I'm sure I'll be able to use that.
"If the audience know what has happened they might even give me a
cheer or round of applause.
"I'm determined to go back on, but I won't be doing the Twelve Days Of Christmas again!"
It is hoped he will be back, with his crutches in tow, for tomorrow's show, where special guests and fellow soap stars Barbara Windsor and Steve McFadden will be in the audience.
Dale received a get-well text message from Customs House director Ray Spencer saying: "When we said break a leg that wasn't what we meant!"
A spokeswoman for the Empire said: "On Saturday during the Twelve Nights Of Christmas performance, he slipped and broke his ankle, but continued.
"He wasn't in the show on Sunday and went to see a specialist, but was told to rest further.
"He is hoping to be back on Wednesday with crutches."
Dale is resting at his home in Leeds.
Cinderella runs at the Sunderland Empire until Sunday.
For tickets, phone the box office on 0870 6031130.