475 posts
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Post by bimse on Sept 1, 2017 14:36:18 GMT
That should have been "slayed" not "slated"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2017 14:39:48 GMT
I had never even heard of the Count going into it. What is his style? Because I didn't get it at all from his performance and I'm genuinely intrigued?
Is it an age thing? I don't mean to imply that everyone who likes him is old, but I'm curious as I am younger so maybe its a generational thing?
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475 posts
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Post by bimse on Sept 1, 2017 14:56:25 GMT
I take panto exceptionally seriously. No, I really do. I have massively high standards and yes, I did like the Count - and that's bearing in mind I'd never seen him on TV. Now, if we are talking failures, one Jarred Christmas (or however he spells his name). Wimbledon, 2015. That man must never be allowed near a panto stage ever again. Ever. Interesting comments about Mr Christmas theatremonkey.com, I haven't been to a panto for years (the last I saw was Cillas in Liverpool) , I wouldn't go alone, but I take it seriously . There are not many Jack Tripps about these days , that's for sure. What did Jarred Christmas do , or not , as the case may be , to spoil the show? I'm told several American performers haven't been great in panto ... Steve Gutenberg didn't get it , for one .
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475 posts
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Post by bimse on Sept 1, 2017 15:00:06 GMT
I had never even heard of the Count going into it. What is his style? Because I didn't get it at all from his performance and I'm genuinely intrigued? Is it an age thing? I don't mean to imply that everyone who likes him is old, but I'm curious as I am younger so maybe its a generational thing? It could well be a generational thing, the Count has a popular radio show in which he's an old thespian with delusions of grandeur , and radio comedy is possibly more popular with older people. His tv series also would be popular with devotees of the radio show, plus hopefully new admirers too.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2017 15:01:06 GMT
I had never even heard of the Count going into it. What is his style? Because I didn't get it at all from his performance and I'm genuinely intrigued? Is it an age thing? I don't mean to imply that everyone who likes him is old, but I'm curious as I am younger so maybe its a generational thing? It could well be a generational thing, the Count has a popular radio show in which he's an old thespian with delusions of grandeur , and radio comedy is possibly more popular with older people. His tv series also would be popular with devotees of the radio show, plus hopefully new admirers too. Oh fair. I'm sure to those who admire him he is great.
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475 posts
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Post by bimse on Sept 1, 2017 15:41:23 GMT
But sadly out of place in Cinderella last year. I'm surprised the direction wasn't better...... one of the Counts funniest routines is his attempt at ventriloquism. I doubt that could be included , not with lengthy routines by Paul Zerdin .
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2017 15:42:42 GMT
I thought Paul was fantastic In last years! I look forward to seeing him again, especially if he gets his trousers pulled down like last time!
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475 posts
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Post by bimse on Sept 1, 2017 17:01:56 GMT
Jared Christmas sounds appalling , wonder if he's done any more pantos ?
Paul Zerdin is very talented indeed and always gets good reviews from his pantomime appearances . I guess it's difficult to ring the changes once you have a winning act .
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2,302 posts
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Post by Tibidabo on Sept 1, 2017 17:06:13 GMT
The panto audience contains a much higher than average proportion of first time and young theatregoers, as well as "once a year" theatregoers too. Therefore everything you do will be remembered forever, and thus must be AS MAGICAL AS POSSIBLE. It's no secret I'm in absolute agreement with you here Monks. People might knock it, but not only is it a possible entrance into a love of watching theatre, it's also an opportunity for many many children and young people to act, sing and dance on a professional stage. The kids in pantos are almost always from open auditions advertised through local dance and drama schools. I think the Palladium panto last year possibly tried to shoehorn in too many Very Famous People (even though I loved most of them) all jostling for position (Mr Havers doing it for 'real' absolutely hilariously.) I'm afraid I can't agree about the Count though. I'd never heard of him before and found his appearances bemusing and dull. I cannot imagine anyone under the age of 10 doing anything other than catch up on adding to their bogie collection when he was on stage.
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3,926 posts
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Post by Dawnstar on Sept 1, 2017 17:26:35 GMT
Jared Christmas sounds appalling , wonder if he's done any more pantos ? He did the audience warm-up (not that it was needed as the studio was boiling!) when Peter Pan Goes Wrong was filmed at Pinewood Studios last year. The first few minutes were just about bearable but he went on and on and on. Every time there was a break in filming to re-set or change the scenery he popped up again. After a while I just tried not to listen. I now have to decide if I'm enough of an Emma Williams fan to brave a pantomime. I'm currently thinking probably not.
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18,786 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 1, 2017 17:32:59 GMT
My friends saw it last year and raved. I've even looked at tickets for Dick. Jeeps it's dear isn't it? Do kids pay those full prices? OUTRAGEOUS! Anyway I'm not getting sucked into it. Tart it up as much as you like, I hate panto and I'm not going
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2,302 posts
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Post by Tibidabo on Sept 1, 2017 18:16:56 GMT
I hate panto and I'm not going Aaaaaaaaand we're off! Looking forward to reading your dicky review Burly.
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3,926 posts
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Post by Dawnstar on Sept 1, 2017 18:25:46 GMT
enough of an Emma Williams fan to brave a pantomime. I'm currently thinking probably not Oh, grab a seat in the restricted view stalls (about 5 rows back, low numbers side) and you will be fine... probably... Out of picked on range, if not alas kid-proof, but that's a risk you take, and an aisle seat minimises it. It's the kids that I'm mostly worried about! It's okay for you, Mr Industry Nights! (Mischief & Showstoppers have somewhat inured me to audience interaction in the last few years.)
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18,786 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 1, 2017 19:22:27 GMT
I hate panto and I'm not going Aaaaaaaaand we're off! Looking forward to reading your dicky review Burly. You know me so well. Ill be booking for The Band next. Whoops!
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2,302 posts
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Post by Tibidabo on Sept 1, 2017 19:26:43 GMT
Ill be booking for The Band next. Altogether now: OH NO YOU WON'T I'll shut the door on me way out.
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18,786 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 1, 2017 19:29:29 GMT
Ill be booking for The Band next. Altogether now: OH NO YOU WON'T I'll shut the door on me way out. Might have done it already *burble*
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1,089 posts
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Post by tonyloco on Sept 2, 2017 10:50:39 GMT
Let me add my thoughts on the merits of pantomimes by saying that a good panto can include many aspects of good theatre that I think all of us here respect and admire. Let me bore you with part of my review of MOTHER GOOSE at the Hackney Empire a few years ago:
I really cannot remember ever having enjoyed a show more than I did ‘Mother Goose’ this afternoon. There were tears of laughter running down my cheeks on several occasions and when that wasn’t happening my jaw was aching from grinning so much out of sheer joy and happiness. Every aspect of the production today was top class, from the sets and costumes to the special effects to the orchestra to the lighting and the sound and even the small children on stage were all brilliant. The geese flying around the auditorium at the start of the show, and the ghosties and ghoulies who filled the place at the beginning of Act II were an inspiration, and the scene where Mother Goose, in a solid gold dress, sees herself young and beautiful in a big mirror was a stunning coup de théâtre. The really strong thing about today was that everybody on stage just played their characters without worrying about doing any speciality acts, and the talent of all those people was outstanding. Clive Rowe (one of the very best dames ever) and Sharon D Clarke take some beating when it comes to full-throated singing, and Kat B and Tameka Empson are both wonderful comedy actors with a talent for physical humour. Susie McKenna (who wrote the script) played the bad witch magnificently, and the two juves (Jack and Jill played by Matt Dempsey and Abigail Rosser) couldn’t have been more appealing in real pantomime style.
The whole experience was life-enhancing and uplifting. Of course not all pantos can reach such heights but that's true of all theatrical ventures and it's why we all keep going to see shows of every kind.
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1,089 posts
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Post by tonyloco on Sept 2, 2017 11:59:26 GMT
the ghosties and ghoulies One of my fave lines in panto, "I don't want to be grabbed by the ghosties" "and I don't want to be grabbed by the..." LOUDLY "We have to sing the song again" I like: Q. "What's the difference between a buffalo and a bison?" A. "You can't wash your hands in a buffalo!" Boom! Boom!
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2,302 posts
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Post by Tibidabo on Sept 2, 2017 14:02:22 GMT
: Q. "What's the difference between a buffalo and a bison?" A. "You can't wash your hands in a buffalo!" Need an Aussie twang for that one Tony
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4,799 posts
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Post by The Matthew on Sept 2, 2017 14:33:05 GMT
My favourite line from a panto isn't one of the traditional ones. It was a scene where several of the cast were in a makeshift car near the back of the stage that (by design) started to collapse, and they spent about a minute falling over each other to keep it together while all other action halted. When everything calmed down after the show-stopping fight with the props one of the cast peered out into the auditorium and said
"It's OK. I don't think they noticed."
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2,302 posts
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Post by Tibidabo on Sept 2, 2017 15:15:44 GMT
My favourite line from a panto isn't one of the traditional ones. It was a scene where several of the cast were in a makeshift car near the back of the stage that (by design) started to collapse, and they spent about a minute falling over each other to keep it together while all other action halted. When everything calmed down after the show-stopping fight with the props one of the cast peered out into the auditorium and said "It's OK. I don't think they noticed." Love it! Reminds me of one they churn out at our local theatre with a changed version of The Twelve Days of Christmas, using props and only 4 actors so once they get to 5 they have to start doubling up on which props they have to hold up. Needless to say they try their damnedest to sabotage each other's turn and by the end of the run it's total anarchy, with toilet rolls flying around the audience and most of the stuff landing in the orchestra pit, where they can only get at it if one of the musicians chucks it back!
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1,089 posts
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Post by tonyloco on Sept 2, 2017 15:52:25 GMT
Need an Aussie twang for that one Tony So that's me 'outed' then! OK, mate, no worries, I admit it: I'm a dinkum cobber from Oz. Struth, I laughed like a mad goanna when I first heard that joke. It's bonza.
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1,089 posts
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Post by tonyloco on Sept 3, 2017 9:12:54 GMT
And while we are in Panto land, here's another old favourite that also needs an Aussie accent:
"What'll it be?" asked the waiter, Studiously picking his nose. "Two boiled eggs" said the diner. "You can't get your fingers in those!"
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7,497 posts
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Post by alece10 on Sept 3, 2017 21:14:49 GMT
God the ticket prices are eye watering. Just took a look at some random dates early December thinking there would be preview reductions. The stalls are all £125 or £99.50 with a few at the back for £55. All the dress is £77 or more and only the upper circle is affordable but I wont sit up there. How on earth can a family afford it? Obviously rich families only will be attending. From the seating plan looks very heavily booked unless they are keeping seats back for groups. That's my Christmas treat out the window. I'll have a look at Nativity to see if that's more affordable.
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18,786 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 3, 2017 22:51:09 GMT
^^^ Elf at the Lowry is £49.50 top price. I can't guarantee a Kimberley though.
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2,763 posts
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Post by daniel on Sept 3, 2017 23:16:53 GMT
^^^ Elf at the Lowry is £49.50 top price. I can't guarantee a Kimberley though. £58.50 at the weekends when I can go
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18,786 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 3, 2017 23:29:21 GMT
^^ boo
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Post by showtoones on Sept 4, 2017 3:38:44 GMT
^^^ Elf at the Lowry is £49.50 top price. I can't guarantee a Kimberley though. No guarantee...fine, but one can only hope :-) xoxo
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1,936 posts
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Post by wickedgrin on Sept 4, 2017 7:28:45 GMT
Yes, the prices are eye watering! I snagged a front row side stalls seat for £55 ages ago for a performance mid December. I hate sitting at the back. How do families afford it?
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418 posts
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Post by carmella1 on Sept 4, 2017 14:55:39 GMT
They never lowered the prices last year and it was far from a childrens show. Between Julian and Paul doing their thing and Paul Zerden doing his entire act on stage plus, there really was no time for the Prince or Cinderella. They never got to sing anything really. Then the Salvation Army number instead of the wedding was horrible in my opinion. Lee Mead and Natasha Barnes as the Prince and Cinderella were never on. Taking liberties with Cinderella is known in pantos but they should have had some semblance of a story with them. Forgot to add, because I want to forget her, Amanda Holden was the Fairy Godmother who got way to much stage time.
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