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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2018 18:01:26 GMT
Berwick is 72 years old now and playing a Dame can be very tiring given amount of costume changes, number of shows, wearing the boots etc.
Given his panto performances are a big local attraction and he is a bit of a legend at that theatre, I'd figure he wants to bow out whilst he is still on top and not be seen as going on a few years too long.
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Post by firefingers on Nov 23, 2018 18:19:38 GMT
None. Normally it's muggins hear mixing them, losing my Christmas Eve and Boxing Day to do two show days but this year I've got a "proper" show with three days off for Christmas. I do enjoy working on them but thankful to get a bit of time off this year instead.
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Post by talkingheads on Nov 23, 2018 23:18:50 GMT
I apologise if this sounds naive but I'd not heard of Berwick Kaller until this thread, did some research and it seems this is the panto to see! Trouble is, I'm in Dorset, and it's a good five hours to York! But it seems he's acknowledged as the best Dame and I'd hate to have missed out on seeing such a legendary figure |
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Post by showgirl on Nov 24, 2018 5:00:39 GMT
I don't think it sounds naive as until this year I'd also never heard of Berwick Kaler - & as someone who dislikes traditional panto & hadn't been to York for years & never visited the Theatre Royal, there's no reason why I should have come across his name.
But then I had 2 holidays in York & 2 trips to the theatre & discovered the joint history of the writer/performer & the panto, & that it was a very significant year for both. So now, like you, I'd love to go but doubt it's possible.
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Post by bimse on Nov 24, 2018 7:41:21 GMT
Berwick Kaler’s last year as Dame, but also probably Biggins’ last year as Dame as well , in Bradford at the wonderful Alhambra theatre. I must try and go .... it’s usually one of the longest running pantos , runnng into February .
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2018 13:52:11 GMT
Biggins has talked about these last few pantos probably being his final ones and that he'd likely finish when he turns 70. As he turns 70 next month I could see this year sadly being his final run. Unlike Berwick he has taken some years off notably when he won I'm A Celebrity.
I'd be interested to know what Berwick's total number of pantos are, some performers were also well past 40 shows - Jeffrey Holland, Robin from the Grumbleweeds, Paul Chuckle, Keith Simmons etc. Off the top of my head they are probably the most prolific panto performers. I know Robin has taken the odd year off like Biggins so Berwick may be the most consecutive shows.
I once asked Paul Chuckle if they had probably done the most pantos of anyone in the UK and he said his older brothers - The Patton Brothers were about 10 ahead of him. But I think they may have retired now but had about 50 odd appearances.
Also which lady has the most current panto appearances I wonder?
Sue Pollard sprang to mind as she is 69 now and must have done a show most years in the last 40 or so years. Sue Holderness, Jeanette Krankie and Lesley Joseph could also have a fairly high number too. Any other female names that spring to mind?
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Post by hulmeman on Nov 24, 2018 17:17:47 GMT
Also which lady has the most current panto appearances I wonder? Sue Pollard sprang to mind as she is 69 now and must have done a show most years in the last 40 or so years. Sue Holderness, Jeanette Krankie and Lesley Joseph could also have a fairly high number too. Any other female names that spring to mind? Dorothy Ward made her stage debut at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham in 1905 in Bluebeard (a now long forgotten pantomime) and retired in 1957. Apparently played principle boy all that time! |
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Post by talkingheads on Nov 25, 2018 22:54:13 GMT
Well I can now say that the Lyric Hammersmith panto was a lot of fun. The cast really gave it their all with some brilliant singers and Sarah Louise Young particularly was terrific as the baddie, played with such relish
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Post by stevej678 on Nov 27, 2018 13:37:50 GMT
The Everyman Theatre's rock & roll panto is a bit of a Liverpool institution and last night it was easy to see why! This year's production is The Snow Queen, with Everyman veterans Adam Keast and Francis Tucker returning for their 14th consecutive years, alongside a terrific company of actor musicians.
Nikita Johal (Wendla in Hope Mill's Spring Awakening) and Nicola Martinus-Smith (fresh from recent rock & roll pantos at Theatr Clwyd) brought sublime vocals to the central roles of Snowdrop and Laputa respectively. Much of Nicola's characterisation as the combative fairy was frequently very funny too, perfectly complementing the wacky antics of the two leading men.
Even on a Monday evening, the audience were into this right from the moment the house lights went down to whoops and cheers, while Lucy Thatcher as Viletta could barely utter a line a times without attracting a chorus of boos and derision!
All the key panto ingredients were there - audience participation with a singalong refrain for Adam Keast's Toni Cornetto, poor John in the front row (or 'Juicy John' as he became known to us) singled out for some lust and affection from Francis Tucker's Beau Peep Po, and a dance-a-long led by Nicola Martinus-Smith's Snowdrop. Even those of us in the Circle didn't escape a sprinkling from the customary water blasters!
Musically we had everything from The Beegees and Elvis to KC and the Sunshine Band, Right Said Fred and Take That to name just a few, all played live by various members of the company who doubled as the band whenever they weren't centre stage.
This was my first experience of the Everyman panto (and my first panto full stop for 20 years) and it's easy to see why this venue has so many people flocking back to its Christmas productions year after year. If you could bottle that feeling come the end of an unmissable 2.5 hours of rock & roll festive fun, you would pretty much have an elixir of pure joy.
Five stars.
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Post by Snciole on Nov 28, 2018 13:00:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2018 15:37:33 GMT
Should be a good show with a lot of panto veterans. |
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Post by talkingheads on Nov 29, 2018 22:51:23 GMT
Well if anybody's still dithering, the Hackney Empire, no hyperbole, is the most fun I've ever had at a panto. The entire company from Gemma Sutton as Aladdin to Clive Rowe being outrageous as Widow Twankey all spark off each other wonderfully and they go at the slapstick with a gusto that leaves most other pantos in the shade!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2018 13:39:29 GMT
Saw Dick Whittington at Lichfield Garrick last night, always a good smaller venue panto and has been so popular it has been extended by a week. Sam Rabone is one great young dames IMO - ironically he is playing buttons next year! and Ben Thornton a great comic side kick and stooge.
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Post by talkingheads on Dec 9, 2018 15:55:23 GMT
Bittersweet today. Went to Woking to see Paul Chuckle in Cinderella. Still got the great old routines but with the local comic playing Buttons who didn't appear to know the intricacies of the timing, missing some of the laughs. I enjoyed it and will continue to support Paul wherever he appears but I couldn't help feeling desperately sad
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2018 13:11:23 GMT
Here's a selection of what you could have seen in 1987
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 10, 2018 13:31:33 GMT
Here's a selection of what you could have seen in 1987 Bizarre to think of Anneka Rice being a panto lead, but I suppose she was at the height of her fame then. |
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Post by TallPaul on Dec 10, 2018 13:47:08 GMT
31 years later some of the same names are still at it, though hopefully not still playing Buttons!!!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2018 18:20:50 GMT
31 years later some of the same names are still at it, though hopefully not still playing Buttons!!! Brian Conley still plays Buttons and I first saw him in the early 90s. Worst one was Biggins as Buttons, just didn't work and was a bit creepy |
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Dec 10, 2018 18:37:09 GMT
The Brexit pantomime. Theresa May in the lead, Boris and Jacob Rees Mogg the pantomime dames and Jezza the fairy godmother
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Post by wickedgrin on Dec 10, 2018 21:43:33 GMT
This time next year Theresa May will have been voted off Strictly and appearing as the Wicked Queen at the London Palladium Panto!
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Post by david on Dec 10, 2018 21:53:07 GMT
The Brexit pantomime. Theresa May in the lead, Boris and Jacob Rees Mogg the pantomime dames and Jezza the fairy godmother Boris and JRM as the ugly sisters in Cinderella? With TM, a character asks her “What happend to your career?” Audience Reply - “It’s behind you!” |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2018 0:53:21 GMT
Here's a selection of what you could have seen in 1987 Bizarre to think of Anneka Rice being a panto lead, but I suppose she was at the height of her fame then. Anneka certainly did a number of pantos on the back of Treasure Hunt and was known from Kid's TV also in early 1980's. She was in demand as a principal boy role - this could well have been her last panto as I think she had her first son the next year and I don't recall her returning to panto in later years. Anneka was a hot young property of TV in the 1980's and had success well into mid 1990's. I see a very young Janie Dee listed too! |
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Post by frosty on Dec 12, 2018 12:11:14 GMT
Given the 5* reviews, I'm very pleased to have tickets for 'Mother Goose Cracks One Out' at Above the Stag in Vauxhall next Friday. I am expecting lots of seasonal smut and festive filth!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2018 23:20:20 GMT
Wolverhampton's Sleeping Beauty is good but not great. The story has been slightly convoluted and a lot of the action is carried by Richard Cadell with Sooty who still seems to appeal to all ages. This is apparently Richard's first panto for 15 years. Debbie McGee is a fun good fairy and seemed to be having a hoot as she had several fits of giggles. Ian Adams is always a good Dame and director whilst Doreen Tipton has lots of good local jokes. Oliver Ormson aka Mr CHF is underused if anything as the Prince but is in fine voice during his numbers.
Having seen a lot of pantos Ian has directed at Lichfield and Wolverhampton this isn't one of his best but through no fault of his as his others were really good. I don't regret seeing it and would tell people it is a good show but not one I'd say go out of your way to see.
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Post by sf on Dec 13, 2018 23:42:50 GMT
I'm watching Question Time right now. This year, that's as close as I get.
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