It's Behind You!
Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is! It’s panto time! The theatres this festive season are jam packed with fantastic shows and we are spoilt for choice. It is essential however, that you find time to fit in a traditional panto. After all Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Buttons and a Dame or two!
In true pantomime tradition, this year the celebrities are out in force. Whether you go to see Cinderella capture the heart of the handsome prince or Dick Whittington seek his fortune, you are bound to see some familiar faces. For no matter where you are in the country there is an abundance of performances. While the pantomime horse is being fitted together, Gareth Gates is practicing for the role of Prince Charming in St Alban’s and Strictly star Anita Dobson is honing her evil laugh.
The comedians have flocked to the boards this Christmas to try their hand at a more classical style of musical comedy. Jo Brand will be making her pantomime debut as the Genie of the Ring in Wimbledon Theatre’s production of Aladdin, while Julian Clary returns to the greasepaint and slapstick comedy in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Cardiff New Theatre. If you are inNottinghamdon’t miss the star studded cast at the Nottingham Theatre Royal. Comedy actress Su Pollard will be guest staring alongside David Hasselhoff, who will be once again taking on the role of Captain Hook, and children’s TV presenter Barney Harwood.
This year there will be few unusual celebrities making their pantomime debut including fashion guru Gok Wan, who will be starring in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at the Birmingham Hippodrome. Have no fear though the old favourites will still be walking the boards. Having found his way back from Never-Neverland after last year’s performance Russell Grant will also feature in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at the Lighthouse Theatre inKettering, while the Queen of the Pantomime Dames Christopher Biggins will this year be Dame Trot in Jack and the Beanstalk at Hull’s New Theatre.
Despite claiming that ‘dancing with Widdy’ during last year’s panto ruined his hip the Strictly villain (Boo! Hiss!) is back. This time his production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves features Strictly Come Dancing 2012 semi-finalist Lisa Riley. This ‘Strictly wicked panto’ will open at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Seathis Friday and run until January 4th 2014.
If you can’t make it to the theatre this year however, you can still enjoy the pantomime dames, villains and handsome princes. Not only are ITV showing Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin and Cinderella but Absolute Radio will be broadcasting their celebrity panto Zombie Claus, starring Eastender’s actor Shane Ritchie and the Doctor David Tenant, from London’s Soho Theatre.
I think you will agree with us all here at Dancewear Central that this year’s panto season promises to be spectacular. You certainly can’t avoid them so join them. Let’s practice: “He’s behind you!”