Panto Review: Sam Bailey stars in Dick Whittington at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Dick Whittington 
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 14th December 2015
★★★

Marking my only traditional pantomime of the season, Dick Whittington at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre is enjoyable for those wanting a fun family outing. 

Panto Review: Aladdin at the Milton Keynes Theatre starring Gary Wilmot & Priscilla Presley

Aladdin 

Milton Keynes Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 10th December 2015

★★★

Nothing quite says Christmas like a good panto, and this year the Milton Keynes Theatre provides laughs for all the family with their production of Aladdin. 

Rehearsal Pics: Cinderella at the Lyric Hammersmith

Rehearsal images have been released for the Lyric Hammersmith's production of Cinderella by Tom Wells. The panto opens on 28th November 2015 (previews from 21st November) and runs until 3rd January 2016. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

Cinderella stars Samuel Buttery (Buttons), Peter Caulfield (Licious), Sara Crowe (Madame Woo), Krystal Dockery (Cinderella), Debra Michaels (Fairy Godmother), Karl Queensborough (Prince Charming) and Matt Sutton (Booty). Completing the cast are: Poppy Almond, Claudia Archer, Oliver Byng, Eboni Dixon, Amelia Grant and Nathaniel Wade.

Further casting announced for Hackney Empire's Jack and the Beanstalk starring Debbie Kurup & Clive Rowe

Further casting has been announced for the Hackney Empire's 2015 pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk.

As previously announced, the show will star Debbie Kurup as Jack, Clive Rowe as Dame Daisy Trott and Kat B as Snowman. 

Following their 2014 pantomime which was seen by over 50,000 people, Jack and the Beanstalk will run between 21st November 2015 and 3rd January 2016.

Joining Rowe and Kurup and Kat B are: Jocelyn Jee Esien, Tony Timberlake, Julia Sutton, Darren Hart, Lori Barker, Leon Sweeney, Emanuel Alba, Frances Dee, Jonathan Prestney, Katie Shearman, Dale White and Sharon D Clarke as the Voice of Davina. The roles of Molly and the Voice of the Giant are still to be confirmed.

Katie Price to make pantomime debut as the Wicked Fairy in Sleeping Beauty

It has been announced that Katie Price will make her pantomime debut as the Wicked Fairy in Sleeping Beauty at Woking's New Victoria Theatre this Christmas. 

Price will share the role with Anita Dobson, with the cast also including Ben Faulks as Prince Charming and Alan Committie as Chester the Jester. The production runs between 11th December 2015 and 10th January 2016.

Price said: "I'm not sure who's more excited about my role in panto, me or the kids! They're going to enjoy it so much seeing me up on stage, although they might find it strange that I'm being so evil. Sleeping Beauty is one of the kids' favourite stories and I simply couldn't resist the opportunity. The people of Woking better watch out as I'm coming to getcha!"

First casting announced for Lyric Hammersmith's pantomime

First casting has been announced for the Lyric Hammersmith's Christmas production of Cinderella by Tom Wells. 

The pantomime will open on 28th November 2015 (previews from 21st November) and run until 3rd January 2016. Samuel Buttery (Taboo/The Voice) will lead the cast as Buttons. 

Cinderella will also star Sara Crowe (Fallen Angels/Hay Fever) as Madama Woo, Krystal Dockery (professional stage debut) as Cinderella and Karl Queensborough (A Wolf in Snakeskin Shows)  as Prince Charming. Further casting is to be announced.

Clive Rowe & Debbie Kurup star in Hackney Empire's pantomime

Clive Rowe is to tread the boards at the Hackney Empire once again starring as Dame Daisy Trott in 2015 pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk between 21st November 2015 and 3rd January 2016.

Starring as Jack will be Debbie Kurup (The Bodyguard/Anything Goes). Hackney Empire favourite Kat B will join the pair on stage as Snowman with further casting still to be announced. Jack and the Beanstalk will be written and directed by the theatre’s Artistic Director Susie McKenna with music by Steven Edis. 

In true Hackney style the production will feature a break dancing cow, bonkers baddies and the scariest giant ever, outlandish costumes and glittering sets by Lotte Collett, buckets of silliness, tons of audience participation and full-on show stopping songs performed by a kickin’ live band.

Panto Review: Russell Grant & Suzanne Shaw star in Cinderella at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Cinderella
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 16th December 2014

★★★★

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a great panto and Cinderella at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre makes all your dreams and wishes come true. Appealing to adults as well as children, the production features sparkling sets and terrific costumes as well as plenty of witty one-liners.

Panto Review: Aladdin at the Shaw Theatre

Aladdin 
Shaw Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 16th December 2014
★★★★

I have seen some crazy pantos over the years, but the Shaw Theatre's production of Aladdin could quite possibly be the craziest. After being dazzled by Wimbledon's spectacular panto last week, it was nice to see a more simple pantomime which relies less on its big budget and star casting.

Panto Review: Linda Gray stars in Cinderella at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Cinderella
New Wimbledon Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 9th December
★★★★

Known for staging the greatest pantomimes in all the land, this year's New Wimbledon Theatre panto is bigger and crazier than ever before. I must admit I had forgotten just how bizarre panto is; Ian Talbot's production ticks all the right boxes and provides a fun family experience.

Big Interview: Gloria Onitiri

Gloria Onitiri is currently playing Grimm in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Park Theatre. Directed by Jez Bond, the original musical provides an alternative pantomime experience for all the family. 

In May 2013 Gloria was nominated for West End Frame’s Understudy of the Year Award for alternating Rachel Marron in the original London cast of The Bodyguard (Adelphi Theatre). She later went on to take over the role full-time.

In the West End Gloria has also played Nala in Disney's The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre) and understudied Mrs Thistletwat, Girl Bear, Kate, Lucy and Gary Coleman in Avenue Q (Noël Coward Theatre).

Her stage credits also include: Egusi Soup (Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds), The Tempest (Bath Theatre Royal), Takeaway (Theatre Royal Stratford) and Been So Long (Young Vic), amongst others.

I recently spoke to Gloria about why she’s having so much fun in Jack and the Beanstalk, her secret to surviving a two show day in The Bodyguard and the support she received during Understudy of the Year as well as how ridiculous it is that Dreamgirls has never been staged in the West End…

The Park Theatre’s pantomime breaks all the rules of panto and is completely different to anything else – it’s essentially an original musical! What first attracted you to this year’s production?
Everything that you just said! I love that it breaks all the rules of panto [laughs] and it’s very silly. Also because we have such a small company, in terms of the writing and creating, it’s something us actors can get involved in. It’s a piece that we are embedded in. It’s not like we’re just coming in and playing your typical dame or panto villain. We can get our hands dirty! The Park is also such a great place, it’s so intimate. Normally with pantomimes you are playing to such a big house, but here it’s very different because the theatre is so small. The audience are right on top of us, and we’re right on top of them! When I say we’re going to be totally hands on, I really mean it [laughs]! 

Full casting announced for Park Theatre's panto

Full casting has been announced for the second annual Christmas pantomime at the Park Theatre, Jack and the Beanstalk. 

The show, which has book, music and lyrics by Jez Bond and Mark Cameron, opens on 2nd December 2014 (previews from 27th November) and runs until 4th January 2015.

Artistic Director Jez Bond will direct Gloria Onitiri (West End Frame Understudy of the Year runner-up in 2013), Michael Cahill, Omar Ibrahim, Killian Macardle and Paige Round. 

Ben Richards stars in pantomime at the Shaw Theatre

It has been announced that Ben Richards (pictured right) will star as Abanazar in Aladdin at the Shaw Theatre in Kings Cross this Christmas.

The panto will also feature Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist La Voix as Widow Twankey. The production runs between 11th December 2014 and 3rd January 2015. 

Richards is currently starring the UK Tour of Rock of Ages. He has previously starred in Oliver! (Sheffield), 9 to 5 (UK Tour) and Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Palace). He is well known for his TV roles including PC Nate Roberts in The Bill, Justin in Holby Cityand Bruno Milligan in Footballers’ Wives.

Linda Gray, Matthew Kelly, Amy Lennox & Liam Doyle star in New Wimbledon Theatre's panto

It has been announced that Linda Gray (Sue Ellen Ewing in Dallas) will make her panto debut as the Fairy Godmother in the New Wimbledon Theatre’s pantomime, Cinderella! 

Linda said: “I am so delighted to be making my pantomime debut in Cinderella at the beautiful New Wimbledon Theatre. I have heard such great things about British pantomime and I am very excited to get started! I am especially looking forward to working with such a brilliant and talented cast; the script is hilarious, my costume is sensational and I am looking forward to spending Christmas in the wonderful city of London”.

Linda will be joined by comedian Tim Vine (Not Going Out) as Buttons, Matthew Kelly (Lend Me A Tenor/Legally Blonde) and Matthew Rixon as the Ugly Sisters and Wayne Sleep (I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here/Celebrity Masterchef) in the role of Dandini.

Louise Dearman to star in panto at Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent

It has been announced that Louise Dearman (pictured right) will star as Alice in Dick Whittington this Christmas at the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent.

The pantomime runs between Friday 28th November 2014 and Sunday 4th January 2015. Please note Dearman will not perform at all shows, her schedule is yet to be confirmed.

The cast also includes Kai Owen as King Rat, Jonathan Wilkes as Dick Whittington and Christian Patterson as Sarah the cook.

Louise Dearman, who recently starred in Water Babies at the Leicester Curve Theatre, is the first and only actress in the world to have played both Glinda and Elphaba in Wicked.

Bradley Walsh, David Bedella, George Ure & Flawless cast in Milton Keynes' pantomime

First casting has been announced for Peter Pan at the Milton Keynes Theatre. The pantomime will see Bradley Walsh return to the theatre to star as Smee.

Bradley said: “I can’t wait to be back at Milton Keynes Theatre, my happiest memories of panto were during my time spent there and I have been dying to get back but my schedule over the last seven years hasn’t allowed me. However this year I’m back with a show that will be fun for everyone… especially Me! Bring it on!”

Suzanne Shaw, Russell Grant & Andrew Derbyshire cast in Aylesbury's pantomime

Principal casting has been announced for Cinderella at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. The pantomime will star Suzanne Shaw as Fairy Godmother and Russell Grant as Baron Hardup.

Russell said: “It's like Christmas has come early! I had such a fabulous time in Peter Pan two years ago that when I was offered the chance to return I jumped at it. The town’s great, the theatre is gorgeous and the audiences were in a league of their own, a real blast to play to. I can’t wait!”

Jenny Eclair to temporarily replace Jo Brand in panto at the New Wimbledon Theatre

It has been announced that comedian, novelist and actor Jenny Eclair will temporarily replace Jo Brand as The Genie of the Ring in four performances of Aladdin at the New Wimbledon Theatre. 

Jo Brand has to miss four performances due to filming commitments. She is back judging the new series of Splash which starts on ITV1 on Saturday 4th January. Jenny will star in both shows on Saturday 4th and 11th January 2014.

Jenny is joined by dance group Flawless as the Peking Police Force, Olivier Award winning actor and television presenter Matthew Kelly as Widow Twankey and musical theatre stars Oliver Thornton and David Bedella as Aladdin and Abanazar.

Review: Jennifer Ellison & Warwick Davis star in Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs at the Milton Keynes Theatre

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Milton Keynes Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 10th December 2913

This Christmas the Milton Keynes Theatre have staged Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Not only does Warwick Davis lead the seven dwarves in this feel-good, fun pantomime, but he has also directed the production. He and his band of merry men and women add much Christmas merriment to this production.

Kev Orkian stole the show as Herbert. Almost every word that came out his mouth had the audience in stitches, his delivery was spot-on. His rendition of ‘All Alone’ from West End show Spamalot (which Davis recently starred in) with Shaun Dalton, who plays the Prince, was a particular highlight.

The other big name in the cast is actress and former Dancing On Ice contestant Jennifer Ellison who was most recently seen in the West End production of Singin’ In The Rain. She makes an excellent baddie Wicked Queen, receiving plenty of boos from the audience. Ellison's costumes were stunning! The cast is completed with child performers who appear alongside the ensemble, all of whom were excellent.

Review: Jo Brand's pantomime debut in Aladdin at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Jo Brand & Matthew Kelly

Aladdin

New Wimbledon Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 9th December 2013

Often referred to as London's must-see pantomime and known for casting big names, the New Wimbledon Theatre's panto is bigger and better than ever this year. Comedienne Jo Brand makes her pantomime debut in this year's show, at times she looks a little lost but Jo is also in her element and is secretly having the time of her life.