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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2017 0:13:12 GMT
I LOVVVVVVVE EMMA!! So glad her and Charlie get to be reunited again!  Indeed. They won't be apart for long. Hope they both get enough songs. Loved Emma Williams in Mrs Henderson. Less so in Sixpence, but down to the character rather then her ability. Fantastic voice. |
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Post by bimse on Sept 1, 2017 11:50:20 GMT
The Palladium traditionally had some successfully inspired casting in its pantomimes, often performers who would never do a panto season in the "provinces". Hopefully this will be the case for Charlie Stemp, he might prove to be quite a revelation.
I must admit I thought the casting of Count Arthur Strong last year was very inspired , and he should have been a success. It appears he wasn't, I wonder what went wrong? He's an amazingly funny creation ..... Dame Edna was a success at Wimbledon after all .
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2017 13:44:56 GMT
Emma and Charlie will be mainly acting and singing roles I'd guess, Paul Zerdin and Julian will do comedy/interaction. People may be snobby about West End stars doing panto but it is good money and after a long run in Half A Sixpence having a break and then taking on a shorter panto assignment probably suits them perfectly. They will have work and income upcoming but will be free from mid January for any other upcoming roles.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2017 13:55:44 GMT
I thought the Count was just plain awful last year. No jokes landed, awkward silence when he was on, everytime he came on, in my head I was just thinking "urgh". I get for some he is funny, but not for me and clearly those around me.
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Post by bimse on Sept 1, 2017 14:34:34 GMT
Nice for Ms Williams. As for the Count, it was partly that the show was so long and densely written, that everybody except Paul O'Grady and Julian Clary didn't really get as much of a look-in as expected. Shame, as he was pretty funny. [ Interesting that @theatremonkey enjoyed the Cou t. Seems like polar opinions for Count Arthur in Cinderella, I can imagine he would t get the chance to introduce or develop his comedy, not with Julian Clary and Paul O'Grady hogging the limelight. I saw Count Arthur in Leeds earlier this year, he was tremendous , fairly slated the audience, but then mostly everyone knew what to expect and was "in " on the joke already . |
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Post by Deleted 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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