TELLING actors to “break a leg” may be a traditional way of wishing them luck but for a Basildon theatre company it hits a little close to home.

The Basildon Players are in the final weeks of rehearsals for their pantomime SinbadAladdin! and, although rehearsals are going well disaster struck when one of the show’s leading ladies, Jade Sheppard, 20, actually did break her leg.

For director John Chambers it is just one of many ups and downs which could occur during the production of a show, and indeed it is an obstacle he has actually had to face before.

Just last year his daughter, Rosina, was playing a leading role in his production of Lizzy Strata Rides Again, when she was hit by a car and also broke her leg.

Mr Chambers, who lives in Hilverson Way, Canvey, has been directing shows for the group for two years. He said: “We’ve just had to alter the script a bit as Jade, who had quite a few lines as the princesses right hand maiden, has broken her leg and has been in hospital.

“It’s such a shame for her as we have had to write her out of the show and she was very, very good.

“It would have been a major part for her so I’m sorry she can’t do it.

“And last year Rosina broke her leg too.”

Happily, Jade is now recovering from her injury and for the rest of the cast the show must go on.

Mr Chambers, 61, said: “It certainly brings a new meaning to the term ‘break a leg’ - and it’s happened twice on the shows I’ve directed - and this is only my second time directing!”

His first time directing was Lizzy Strata Rides Again last year but, apart from the sudden cast change after his daughter’s injury, Mr Chambers found it was not too challenging as he had actually acted in the play before.

He said: “I love being on stage and I got into drama about ten years ago.

“I used to be a DJ but as I got older I didn’t feel I would be cool enough anymore.

“So I joined a theatre group, Cast and Crew, on Canvey and it all went from there.”

Now part of the Basildon Players group, he was pleased with his first go at directing last year and has once again taken up the role.

He said: “It was quite a step up but the group were happy with me doing it and it went really well.

“But I’ve never directed a pantomime before; with the Lizzy show I had some ideas and the group was a huge help.

“A lot of the cast haven’t performed in a pantomime either. It’s quite different to a normal play as there is a lot of audience interaction.

However, he added: “But it’s still going really well; it’s a cross between Sinbad and Aladdin which sees Sinbad come onto the stage and the other characters want to get rid of him as he is in the wrong play.

“Lots of pirates are after Aladdin and they ask Sinbad to pretend to be Aladdin and it all goes from there.”

SinbadAladdin! will be performed on Friday, October 7, at 7pm and on Saturday, October 8, at 2.30pm and 7pm.

All three shows will take place at the Pitsea Leisure Centre in Northlands Pavement.

Tickets are £12 for adults, concessions at £6 and can be bought on the door or in advance.

Visit basildonplayers.co.uk or search for Basildon Players on Facebook for more information about the pantomime or how to buy tickets.