It's Behind You

I think Pantoland moved to Essex today- well, it seemed like that to me! Went for lunch in Rural Essex with Isobel Hurll (Panto Fairy Godmother) and bumped into Bradley Walsh!

Bradley was also having lunch, along with his wife Donna and son, Barney. Haven’t seen them in a while- Peter and I did Nottingham and then Wimbledon “Cinderella” with Bradley, who tells me that last panto Barney joined him on stage as his comedy partner- Bradley was Buttons and Barney (aged ten) was Zip!. Great to catch up with all the news, and- as soon as the powers that be give us permission, we’ll be able to publish where Bradley will be appearing in Panto this year. It’ll be in our diary section, and, without giving too much away, he’ll be in oriental mood not a great distance from where Peter & I will be fitting our crystal slippers!

Driving back I got a text from Vivienne McMaster (Panto fairy and P.Girl) to remind me that my brother Vivyan’s Kenneth More Theatre was hosting the Lady Ratlings Charity Show this evening. Diverted to call backstage and met up with the two newest Lady Ratlings- Vivienne and our other mate, Hilary O’Neil!

I mentioned to “Hils” that I’d just put a short obituary to Frank Seton on the website- we both did “Puss In Boots” at the then “Civic” St.Albans. That was Hilary’s pantomime debut as Colin, Principal Boy. We had a chat about Frank- lots of lovely memories.

Backstage also were Anna Karen (Fairy) and her husband, the comedian Terry Duggan- along with Barry Cryer (Panto Dame) and Taryn Kaye (P.Girl and panto Fairy) and caught up with the news from Doreen Hermitage (Past Queen Ratling and doyen of many pantomimes).

On stage rehearsing was Rose Marie (who has made several Panto appearances over the years) and a host of ladies who have performed as singers, soubrettes and speciality acts in pantomimes since the 1950’s through to today-

All in all, a remarkable lunch- it convinced me that, for today, the Kingdom of Pantoland had truly moved to Essex!

Just a bit of fun - Who can you name from this Qdos Advert taken from February 2007's Encore Magazine

Announced from the stage at the Birmingham Hippodrome last night - Cinderella is the first pantomime to take over Ł2 Million at the Box Office!

We were very saddened to hear about the passing of Dan Taylor on the 27th December 2006. For those regular readers of IBY you will know that Dan was the son of the pantomime star Dan Rolyat and through the efforts of Dan's son Rich, he was able to make contact with several unknown family members and also provide us with a fascinating article on Dan Rolyat.

Dan Taylor lived in New York with his wife Marianne - he was eighty years old. We send our love and best wishes to his family at this difficult time. As the email from Rich which carried the sad news said:-

Dan allowed us to reproduce his article 'How Lucky Can You Get?' about his early life in the Actors Orphanage and his return there in 1999. It is absolutely fascinating and well worth a read.

The future of the Theatre Museum is bleak and we here at IBY support The Stage's campaign to save it - the collection includes many major pantomime goldmines including the Charles Wilhelm collection which we unearthed. Click on the logo above to see how you can help. Thank You.

To be truthful, I hadn’t noticed, and Peter hadn’t noticed, but the Hippodrome Birmingham reminded us that this is our Twenty-Fifth anniversary as The Ugly Sisters- almost to the day on December 19^th!

I did wonder about those words “veteran” that kept appearing whenever our names were mentioned- now I know why!

Twenty Five Cinderella’s eh? In fact, Twenty-six or seven for Peter, as he was Sistering when I was striding around in a fur suit doing Puss-In-Boots. I never sounded like Antonio Banderas, but there you are…

It’ll be our Twenty-Third consecutive “Cinderella” for both Paul Elliott’s E&B Productions and for Qdos combined, and it “don’t seem a day too long” as the music hall song goes!

Well- the Panto season is well upon us. Several stalwarts have already opened, a great many are already into the rehearsal process, and throughout the country there is a mass exodus of artistes, technicians and musicians cancelling the milk and packing their bags.

The past few months have flown by for me- getting another “Cinderella” ready- script and costumes (The Kenneth More Panto starts rehearsing on December 11^th), touring with the Panto Roadshow and directing the Tamworth panto themed show- it has been non stop panto since late August. Finally, time to concentrate on the show in hand. Peter and I begin rehearsals in London on Tuesday for “Cinderella”, directed by Paul Elliott- the man who gave us our first E&B Pantomime twenty-three years ago! Thank you Paul!

We’ll rehearse for the week in London with all our old mates and some new ones, then travel to Birmingham ready to rehearse at the Hippodrome from December 11^th.

During the rehearsals, and indeed the season I’ll be regularly updating the “Birmingham Diary”- give or take the odd day off when the feet will be aching (the shoes) the back will be aching (the wigs- yes, they ARE heavy!) and I just can’t face turning on the laptop! However, nothing will be missed out I can assure you!

For everyone currently opened, For those in rehearsal, and for others like ourselves just about to drop off the planet of “real life” for two months.. Have a good one!

We at IBY were very saddened to hear that Paddy Dickie, one of this countries top costumiers had passed away.

Paddy came from a theatrical family that included her late parents- William (Bill) Dickie and Mary Dickie, along with her Uncle Murray Dickie. Both Bill Dickie and Murray Dickie were renowned in the world of Opera, with appearances at La Scala Milan and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Mary frequently appeared with Ian Wallace as his accompanist, and worked alongside her daughter Paddy creating theatrical costumes from their home in Chiswick. The quality of Paddy’s costumes, along with the intricate beading created by Mary made her the most sought after maker for West End and pantomimes.

Paddy specialised in creating fabulous costumes for her Dames - they were not just her clients, but became her best friends over the years. Her “Walk-downs” , often designed by Terry Parsons became her trademark. Stanley Baxter, Billy Dainty, Terry Scott and her dear friends Gordon and Bunny Jay were frequent visitors to the attic room in Chiswick for fittings and, it must be said, for a lot of laughter.

I remember struggling to get up the loft ladder to her attic one day as the entire room appeared to have been taken over by Terry Scott’s voluminous frilled walk-down costume- acres of frilled confection spilled out of the room and down into the hall beneath. Somewhere amongst the tule sat Paddy and Mary at two sewing machines, almost hidden!

There is a lovely sequence in the Channel 4 documentary “Pantoland” where Paddy is doing a Dame fitting with Bill Dainty. This clip shows just a glimpse of what fun there was, and what joy there was to be had in their work environment.

I first met Paddy in 1977 when I was employed by her father (then part of the Richard Stone Agency) to do a summer season with Gordon and Bunny Jay. We remained friends from that day onwards. The day I heard the very sad news I was on tour with the Panto Roadshow. During the show I opened the large wicker skip that is a part of the action and looked wistfully at the big letters printed on the inside of the canvas- “SADFU”- Netheravon Road, Chiswick.- “SADFU” was the name of Bill Dickie’s Company, and the skip- along with many costumes were given to me by Paddy many years ago.

Paddy taught me how to steam a top hat- and how to stretch one. She taught me that ALL hangers must face the same way on a rail (“Incase of fire you see.. you can knock the end off the rail and slide them out of the window!- plus they never tangle that way..) She taught me to respect costumes and, if looked after, and made to her exacting standards, they would last for a very long time. I have many of Paddy’s costumes from the early ‘70’s, and they are as good as the day they left her workshop.

Just recently- during the summer a large box arrived. It was from Paddy. Inside was a gorgeous green hat- Dame sized and beautifully made. She rang me. “I went to a millinery course, made this, and thought of you. Any use for You or Peter in panto?”

That hat will make it’s premier appearance at the Hippodrome this Christmas. Thank you Paddy- and thanks for all the help, advice and laughs along the way.

Some costumes from The Old Vic's ALADDIN - the costumes were created by Paddy for Sir Ian McKellen

Performer DOUGLAS MOUNCE will be totally immersed in pantomime this Christmas. Not only is he appearing as Nurse Glucose in ‘Robin Hood and the Babes In The Wood’ opposite ANNE CHARLESTON (Neighbours) and THOMAS CRAIG (Coronation Street) at The Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth he is also the Producer of the Radio 4 programme ‘Under The Skin’.

There is an old showbusiness joke about beginning your career by playing the back legs of the cow in pantomime, but for many performers this was their chosen role, and one which they took very seriously. Known as ‘skin performers’, each year they would play the cow in ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, the cat in ‘Dick Whittington’ or the goose which brings

fortune to ‘Mother Goose’.

Presenter BERNIE CLIFTON, famous for his performing Ostrich, shares some of his memories of working with these artistes and discovers the techniques and the problems of bringing these scene-stealers to life with the help of archive contributions of many of these performers including BARBARA NEWMAN, TERRY DOOGAN, JUNE AND PAUL KIDD, GERRY LEE and CLAUDE ZOLA, plus new interviews with among others ROY HUDD, JOHN INMAN and PAUL ELLIOTT.

Made by Ladbroke Radio Productions the programme is scheduled for transmission on Radio 4 at 11.30 am on Thursday December 28^th.

Yes- it’s that time of year again. The intrepid Sisters, Nigel & Peter set off once again on the Roadshow, joined by Andrew Ryan to spread the word of Panto.

Having spread the good news to Redbridge and Birmingham this year, their Pantomime Roadshow heads off this week-end for Aberdeen!

Taking to the high road in a high top transit crammed with panto-mobilia, the three thesps will be playing ten shows on behalf of His Majesty’s Theatre, before heading South to do the same for the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton. Hopefully about 3,000 school children will have a flavour of panto by the time they depart.

Two days after the last Wolverhampton date is played Nigel heads for the icy slopes of The Snow Dome in Tamworth. He’s written, and will be directing the Snow Dome’s Winter Wonderland show that runs from the middle of November through until early January. It’s panto themed (naturally) and produced by Ian Sandy- The Production Office and the Snow Dome itself.

Andrew Ryan heads to the Lyceum Sheffield, where he’s written, and will direct “The Sleeping Beauty”, playing the role of Dame for UK Productions.

A Few days later, back from the Frozen Climes of the Dome, Nigel rejoins Peter Robbins to begin rehearsals for “Cinderella” at the Hippodrome Birmingham, Produced by Qdos and Directed by Paul Elliott- See the Birmingham Diary for frequent updates- as it happens!

So- in the meantime Nigel’s finished writing the Kenneth More Theatre’s “Cinderella” and eight other pantomimes being produced between now and February for various companies & Societies both here in the UK and in Canada- so, along with the Winter Wonderland show he might get a bit “Snowed Under”- sorry- but it IS Panto time!

Do keep sending any updates for the Diary as usual to info@its-behind-you.com! We look forward to hearing your news!

In 2002 we were asked by the British Music Hall Society to salvage some pantomime props belonging to the late Jimmy Jewel, of Jewel and Warris. (see Double Acts feature). We were asked to find them a good home, as the premises they have been stored for the past twelve years were to be renovated.

The props turned out to be part of a "Haunted Bedroom" set, and a very unusual Welsh Dresser- all in a very sad state of repair. Fortunately, the Kenneth More Theatre has been able to restore them, and in most cases get their mechanisms (mostly ropes and the odd pulley) back into working order.

They are all marked "Jimmy Jewel-Liverpool Empire" on the back, and are presumed to be from

the late 1940's..possibly made by Jimmy, or by his father. The Welsh Dresser has a flap which, when pulled up from behind the scenery, raises up to become a cow, complete with canvas "udders". I imagine the scene involved having no milk, and "Hey Presto" the cow appears. The family of mice that inhabited the udders had long gone, and "Daisy" is now repainted- so good Moos there... (sorry!)

The "Haunted Bedroom" furniture consists of a fireplace with a sliding portrait above it- revealing, we imagine a ghostly face behind the bars looking in. There is also a clever skeleton on a hat rack- disguised by placing a bowler hat and overcoat over it, and a trick piece of furniture- suspiciously resembling a commode. When you place an item on the "lid" it drops through, and another lid slams shut with a loud bang!

Should anyone have any further information on these props, we at its-behind-you.com would be extremely interested to receive it - it would be useful to know anything further about these lost, now found pieces of pantomime history.

I was interested to read that you discovered some of my late father's props. I indeed know them well as I started my career pulling the ropes that operated them! I am pleased to report that I have made some progress since this "debut" in 1965!

I was under the impression that the entire haunted house set had been destroyed in a fire about 20 years ago.

We recently received an email from Jim Platt who pointed out that the Haunted Bedroom set is mentioned in Jimmy Jewel's autobiography Three Times Lucky on page 126.

Mr Platt believes that the sketch was also recreated in the series Funny Man on TV over 13 weeks in the 80's, but he has contacted Thames Television and they don't appear to have any copies. The programmed Funny Man traced the life of a theatrical family based on Jimmy Jewel's own family as a touring show. If anyone happens to have a copy of Funny Man in their video collection i'm sure Mr Platt and all of us here at IBY would be very interested.

We received another email from Mark James who pointed out that on the Box Set of Series 5 of Nearest and Dearest there is a three minute local news interview with Jimmy Jewel about the trick set and how long it had been in the family. There is footage of it actually working and he talks of the 150 wires that make it work.

A fairytale wedding reception- held opposite a Palace- what more could you ask? A Pantomime Dame getting spliced to a Pantomime Fairy, in the company of many fellow Dames, Baddies, Principal Boys and Fairies!

Nick Wilton- Dame of the British Empire, and Lynette McMorrough- Fairy Queen of many realms, celebrated their wedding with their respective children, Holly, Barnaby and Emma along with over 130 friends on Sunday at a hotel opposite the gates of Hampton Court Palace. It was a wonderful day, with, as you might expect some skilfully crafted speeches , by both Nick and Best Man Clive Mantle- great company, great food and a band to add to the atmosphere.

Nick and Lynette managed to cram the actual wedding in on a day when Lynette was not performing in a matinee- she’s currently on tour with “Safari Park”, and on a day when Nick wasn’t rehearsing for “A Bedfull of Foreigners”, which is soon to head to Singapore to play venues such as “Raffles” hotel, presumably while Lynette tours to slightly less glamorous venues!

Tour over, the happy couple won’t have much time to relax, as they go their separate ways to Pantoland- Lynette as Fairy in Poole, and Nick as Sarah The Cook to Rhyl.

It was a marvellous chance to catch up with many mates from the world of Panto during the day- with so many people attending it would be impossible to name them all, but the world of Pantomime brought forth at least seven Fairy Queens- Lynette, (Poole) Kathy Staff, Judy Buxton, (Truro) Sarah Whitlock (who acted as official photographer for IBY- my batteries were flat!) Sue Devaney (Oldham), as well as several Principal Girls including Sara Hollamby and Leila Birch (Millfield)- enough to fill the prologue of “Sleeping Beauty” in fact!

The Baddies were represented by Michael Kirk, Peter Duncan (Poole) Chris Hacket, Nick Barclay (Loughborough) and Jay Worthy, several of whom “doubled” in the Dame line up!

The Dames included Eric Potts (Glasgow) who was the man responsible for Nick and Lynette meeting in the first place, along with Nick Wilton (Rhyl), Jeffrey Holland (Truro), Andrew Ryan (Sheffield), Jonathan Owen (Billingham), Michael Kirk (Hackney) and Jay Worthy ..Oh, and myself- Birmingham!

Brian Cant joined the proceedings on a day off from his Paul Elliott play “No place like a home”, before he joins Lynette in Poole Panto, and “Naughty” Nigel Harvey who joins Nick in Rhyl Panto alongside Anna Karen.

Andrew Lynford (Lewisham) and Frazer Hines (Peterborough) were in fine form, along with the author Jimmy Chin and Mark Llewellyn, Jeremy Gittins, (Who joins Nick in Singapore for “Bedfull of Foreigners”) Jane Shakespeare, Anita Graham and a cast of dozens more!

Many apologies to those whose names I have omitted, but there wasn’t a programme published for this all star production, and the brain can only take in so many names after the odd glass of champagne.

To Lynette and Nick- thank you for inviting us all to celebrate your wedding, and, in true panto form, may you both live Happy Every After!

After weeks of speculation, rumour and tabloid gossip it has now been announced that Henry Winkler will take over from David Hasselhoff as Captain Hook for FFE at Wimbledon. Winkler is probably best know as The Fonz from Happy Days and this production marks his theatrical debut in the UK and his debut in Pantomime! Eric Potts is adapting the original Barrie story for this production.

As in previous years, Nigel and Peter represented the Hippodrome yesterday in Centenary Square, Birmingham. Handing out Cinderella leaflets to unsuspecting members of the public, the Sisters certainly cut a dash as they strutted their stuff and posed for photos!

The Barbican Centre in London is offering it's first ever pantomime - Dick Whittington and his Cat - written by Mark Ravenhill. Some of Mr Ravenhill's writing credits couldn't be listed on a family site but he has great fondness for pantomime, dating back to his first ever visit.

The productions first cast member has also just been announced - star of Only Fools and Horses, The Vicar of Dibley and the Harry Potter movies - Roger Lloyd-Pack will be playing Sarah The Cook.

Further details about the production and some fun activities can be found on the website - www.barbican.org.uk/panto

We were very saddened recently to hear the news that Stewart McLean had passed away, on August 6^th at his home in Glasgow.

Stewart was our company manager, and played the Major Domo in “Cinderella” with Peter and me on two occasions, and what a charming and lovely man he was- a delight to work with, and a fund of very funny stories and anecdotes after the curtain had come down. At the King’s in Edinburgh he worked alongside his friend Dorothy Paul, who played Fairy Godmother, and very recently had organised her show ‘A Happy Medium’ impeccably, as well as playing Mr Proudfoot.

Stewart worked often at the King’s in Edinburgh, and will be sorely missed this year by Allan Stewart, Andy Grey and everyone at this beautiful venue. His pantomimes at the King’s were "Dick Whittington" 1998-99, "Cinderella" 1999-2000 and Aladdin 2000-2001. He also worked at His Majesty’s Aberdeen and at Kirkcaldy on many occasions.

As both an actor and a company manager Stewart was constantly in demand, and would have been rehearsing shortly for a tour produced by Paul Elliott, who he worked with often.

Stewart had turned to the theatre after a career in business, and in 1994 he turned “pro”, at the age of 52. He began working at Perth in “My Fair Lady” and “As You Like It”, for Wildcat in “It Wasnae Me”, touring in “Worzel Gummidge”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Broadway Bound”, “The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole” and at the Byre Theatre, St.Andrews in “While The Sun Shines”.

His late-starter career also took him into television roles, with appearances in his native Scotland in “Rab.C.Nesbitt”, “Life Of Jolly”, “F.O.T”, “Annie’s Bar”, “Taggart”, “Dr.Finlay” and “High Road”.

Stewart carried the air of his previous business career with him off-stage, and would greet you backstage before the show in an immaculate suit, and re-appear several minutes later as an even more immaculate Major Domo, in resplendent wig. His often wicked sense of humour made him a very welcome visitor to the Ugly Sister’s dressing room for tea between shows, and his timing of a remark- usually just as you were about to sip your tea, was as immaculate as his appearance! His eyes would twinkle, and then he’d deliver the punch line with aplomb!

Stewart acted as touring Company Stage Manager for Paul Elliott’s “The Goodbye Girl” with Gary Wilmot, and he looked after Russ Abbot’s “Peter Pan” both at the Theatre Royal Plymouth and at the Theatre Royal’s in Nottingham and Newcastle.

Britt Ekland and Su Pollard had the joy of working with Stewart in their tour of “See How They Run”, as did Lesley Joseph on her tour of “Singular Women”. Stewart had recently managed Su Pollard’s tour of the UK.

A highly respected Company Manager, Actor and raconteur- Stewart will be missed by all of us who had the great pleasure of working alongside him.

Following their success in 2005 with Aladdin, the boys return in 2006 with Jack and the Beanstalk at the Piazza Showbar in the Marina Centre, Great Yarmouth. Although not household names, their faces are recognised with a great night out in the town. Every Friday night from the 28th July at the Marina Centre it will be full to the brim with Panto fans. Gavin Dean plays the comic lead and hero Jack and Danny Hanton as his mother Dame Trott. The Mixture of traditional routines and their own mad cap humour seems to be a sure fire hit and of course their hilarious ad-libbing makes every show unique. The Marina's famous Summer Pantomimes are a real treat and the best way to end the week.

Further details from www.marina-centre.com (Currently Under Construction) or by phoning 01493 851521

THE star of this year's Wyvern Theatre pantomime, Britt Ekland, is to become patron of the Alzheimer's Society.

Britt, who is taking on the role of the Fairy Godmother in this year's production of Cinderella, become interested in the society after her mother died from the illness last year. It is thought she will take on the role at the end of this year.

The Alzheimer's Society is the leading care and research charity for people with all forms of dementia and their carers. It provides information, education and support for carers. It also funds medical research, campaigns for improved health and social services and promotes a greater public understanding of dementia.

The society provides local and national helplines offering advice and information. For more details contact the Swindon branch on 01793 434340 or the national branch on 0845 3000 336.

For Radio 4 Listeners - The World Cup is a football tournament played every 4 years between the best national teams in the World. For Radio 4 Listeners - Football is a game played with 22 people............

We at IBY were sad to hear the news about the death of Freddie Garrity, the former lead singer of Freddie and the Dreamers. A Full Obituary appears in The Stage.

As part of the 'Worth The Trip' series, Teachers TV take you behind the scenes of the making of the pantomime Cinderella at the Theatre Royal Newcastle. Starring our very own Nigel Ellacott and Peter Robbins discussing all aspects of pantomime as well as looking at the Pantomime Roadshow. Shown originally on the 10th May 2006. The website www.teachers.tv offers this programme to view online.

Danny La Rue has cancelled all future performances under doctors orders. We are sorry to hear that Danny is unwell and all of us at IBY send our best wishes for a swift recovery.

The Magic of Theatre Roadshow will be returning to the Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford on Saturday 15th April 2006 for two Shows at 11am and 2.30pm.

Join Billy and friends as they take you backstage in a comedy show with lasers and dancing.

Musical Director David Carter

The Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford
Saturday 2nd September 2006 Matinee (3pm) and Evening (7.30pm)
Sunday 3rd September 2006 Matinee (3pm)

The sisters played hosts for Qdos this week for Theatre Managers from across the UK at the Ivy in London. Full Article and Pictures

Michael Harrison, Peter, Jonathan Kiley, Nick Thomas, Nigel, Paul Elliott, Jon Conway The Qdos collection!

Joy Skinner died aged almost 90 years of age on 18^th January 2006. Joy and her husband Jack were one of pantomime’s greatest speciality acts with their “Flying Carpet” . From 1953 until 1992 they appeared in pantomimes (mostly in “Aladdin”) and in variety theatres all over the world with their black light (U.V) speciality.

Joy and Jack were both dancers, and created a scene on stage where Jack would cast a spell over Joy, and under his magical influence she would float, then perform a version of “The Indian Rope Trick” ascending towards the flies, and ending with a carpet ride which not only flew on the stage, but would fly over the orchestra pit. With such an act they were always employed in pantomimes throughout the country, finally retiring after their last performance at The Playhouse in 1992.

Jack died a few years later, and for a while the act was leased by another couple- Jack had advertised the complete act, the machinery and, of course its “secrets” in “The Stage” shortly after retiring.

Joy (born Joy Bolton Carter) met Jack (Jack Emerson Skinner) whilst they were both working for The Ballets Jooss in 1936. As well as pantomime they took the act into cabaret, and played most of Europe and the Far East over the years.

Today many pantomimes have a “Flying Carpet” effect in Aladdin, but Emerson & Jayne were the first and the finest, combining dance, magic, black light and spectacle.

We were saddened to hear that Gordon and Bunny Jay have decided to call it a day on performing in pantomime. They announced, from the stage, at the end of their highly successful run of Cinderella in Weston-super-Mare that this will be their last season. From all of us here at IBY we wish them well in the future.

They performed in 52 pantomimes. First at Salford Hippodrome in 1953 and their final panto on 8th January 2006 at the Playhouse Theatre, Weston Super-Mare for Paul Holman in "Cinderella". They will shortly be appearing at Weston in a one nighter variety show for Paul Holman.

For more details about this extraordinary comedy partnership, see their entry in our Double Acts section.

Congratulations to all recipients but in particular to Bruce Forsyth (CBE), Roy Baraclough (MBE) and the three Beverley Sisters, Babs, Joy and Teddie (MBE).

Following on from Jill's engagement story featured in our Newcastle Diary, we have received word from Hastings of another onstage proposal - this time with an audience!! Julian Chenery (of Shakespeare 4 Kidz) has sent us in a story featuring two of his cast members who are appearing at the White Rock Theatre in Aladdin - we'll leave the rest to him:-

Paul Parris (Caliban in S4K The Tempest; Porter in S4K Macbeth last year) and Filipa Jeronimo (Witch 2 and Lady Macduff last year in S4K Macbeth; and currently Lady Capulet in S4K Romeo and Juliet and Lady Macbeth in S4K Macbeth this year).

They are an item and are currently appearing together in Aladdin at the White Rock, Hastings, along with Ian Smith from Neighbours, Dean Gaffney ex East Enders and Spencer Smith from Big Brother. Paul is Aladdin and “Pippa” is Princess Yasmin.

At the end walk-down on the final Christmas Eve show, Ian Smith says “I think Aladdin wants to say something”.

Aladdin steps forward and tells the audience “… in the show I tell you all that I love Princess Yasmin so much I can cry it out from all the rooftops. Well, we’re together in real life too” Cheers. A young kid is beckoned forward holding a tiny box. “And I want to say, Princess Yasmin, will you marry me?” He goes down on bended knee with engagement ring in hand. Standing ovation and cheers from audience. Princess Yasmin – who says YES – in tears of joy.

Hoorah! What a great theatrical Christmas story. Have never heard of a proposal on stage in front of an audience before.

A new scheme, funded by the Arts Council of Wales, to train pantomime directors in a bid to keep the traditions of pantomime alive, has being piloted this month (December 2005) at the Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre in Newport, South Wales.

David Lloyd-Jones is the first recipient of this innovative scheme. David, an experienced performing arts lecturer and theatre director who trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, has developed the apprenticeship model in association with Arts Training Wales to cover all of the business and creative aspects of staging a pantomime.

He says, "I've always had a love of pantomime, and this apprenticeship is a great opportunity for would-be pantomime directors to gain practical experience in a professional environment."

The Riverfront's production of Dick Whittington, on from 6th December 2005 to 3rd January 2006, was chosen as the pilot production for the apprenticeship. The Riverfront was identified as the ideal host for the scheme: a new and forward-looking venue, working for the first time with its chosen production company, Hiss & Boo.

Ian Liston of Hiss & Boo is delighted to be involved and recognises the need for a specific pantomime apprenticeship, adding "It's particularly important, if we are to preserve the traditions of pantomime, that the skills and craftsmanship are properly passed on to succeeding generations through the hands of experienced professionals."

David's experiences at the Riverfront will help to inform future initiatives to promote pantomime in the country, and ensure that one of our best-loved traditions will be passed down through many generations to come.

It has been bought to our attention that The Patton Brothers (Brian and Jimmy) are just about to start their 50th year as a double act in Pantomime and, touch wood, have never missed a performance. They are appearing as Dame Trot (Jimmy) and King Crumble (Brian) in Llandudno this year and we wish them well on their 50th year and hope they continue to delight audiences for a long time to come.

It may seem a little early for the Diary to be up and running but, after the press launch on the 13th July, the first entry of the season has been added.

The new Qdos production of Cinderella, written and directed by Michael Harrison, at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle-upon-Tyne for the 2005/6 season Jill Halfpenny (Eastenders and Strictly Come Dancing Winner), Nigel and Peter and the hilarious Clive Webb and Danny Adams. We are also happy to announce Sean Needham and Jody Crosier (joining us for the fourth year). The dates are the 10th December 2005 - 21st January 2006.

It has just been announced that the part of Cinderella has now been cast - the lucky recipient is 17 year old Lauren Hall. She impressed the panel so much and is now looking forward to joining Jill, Nigel, Peter, Clive, Danny, Sean and Jody in London for rehearsals in a couple of weeks. She is no stranger to the Theatre Royal Stage having made her professional debut there two years ago as Wendy in Peter Pan for Qdos. Read more about Lauren in the following news articles:-

Jack would have loved to see a full house- and the service at St.Paul’s in Covent Garden was packed to the rafters with his family, friends, admirers and colleagues from the world of pantomime.

Those arriving were greeted by Roy Hudd and his wife Debbie, and the ushers were prestigious pantomime dames Wyn Calvin and Chris Emmett, along with panto producer Paul Holman.

Among the hundreds of theatre folk attending this celebration of Jack’s life were Tony Adams, Janet Brown, June Whitfield, Keith Baron, Jonathan Cecil, Bobbie Cook, Pamela Cunliffe, Joan Savage, Anita Harris and Mike Margolis. Bill Pertwee, Judy Spiers, and Paul Elliott - who produced many of the pantomimes that Jack and Roy appeared in, along with Duncan C.Weldon, Johhny Dennis, Val Fontayne (Queen Ratling), along with pantomime Dames Jeffrey Holland, Stevie Marc, Ian Adams and Chris Hayward and Bunny Jay.

Anne Sydney was there along with Anna Karen, Sheridan Morley, Taryn Kaye, Audrey and Len Howe and Keith Salberg, and it was lovely to see that Sylvia and Tony Blackler had travelled up from Jack’s home town-Plymouth. Both Sylvia and Tony work at the Theatre Royal, and Sylvia had often been Jack’s dresser in pantomime there over the years.

It would be impossible to list all the people in attendance at St Paul’s today- From Jack’s family to the many hundreds of friends – many apologies to those I have missed out from this list- it is really just a very small selection from a very packed house!

Before the start of the service the organist, Simon Gutteridge played selections from the “Fol de Rols”, including the sygnets dance from “Swan Lake”, (one of Jack’s best remembered routines) and the choir from St John’s Wood church, conducted by Michael Mizgailo-Cayton sang “Nymphs and Shepherds”.

The service began with a welcome from the Revd Katherine Rumens, chaplain to the Barbican Arts Centre, while a large photograph of Jack smiled at the congregation. It was Roy who pointed out that that youthful picture of Jack was in fact taken when he was Eighty years old!

Roy Hudd began the celebration by recalling his years of working with Jack in pantomime. Roy, along with June Whitfield, Geoffrey Hughes and Keith Baron were the mainstays of many a “Babes In The Wood” each year, produced by Paul Elliott.. Roy talked about the decade they spent together- of his wit, his humour and his warmth. Referring to the photograph he recalled the line in the panto when Jack as Dame Durden was asked his age. “Why..I’m approaching thirty-eight!” he replied, only to be greeted with “But from which direction?” Roy told us that Jack thought like a young man, and that his sense of fun- his “Twinkle” was his trademark both on and off-stage.

Roy also told the story of how, one pantomime, after a break Ivan Owen (the man “behind” Basil Brush) returned to the panto with bad news. He told Jack that while he was out his house was robbed. “And do you know Jack- they took nothing” There was a pause..”How Humiliating!” replied Jack..

Roy went on to describe Jack’s early years in pantomime with his idols Dave Willis and Douglas Byng, and that rehearsing with Jack was an education-the skills he possessed as a dancer (honed to perfection during his many seasons in the “Fols”) and his “flirty” dame with a step ball change and a look over his shoulder.

Roy was followed by Jack’s co-star in the Chichester production of “Divorce Me Darling”- Joan Savage. Joan related how she had first worked with Jack when she was twelve years old, and then had to wait for several years before appearing with him again in his own show at Hastings and at Eastbourne in Take A Tripp. Joan described how when Jack smiled “It was like Bonfire Night” and sang “The Sunshine of Your Smile” as her personal tribute.

Keith Baron had the congregation laughing with his memories of working with Jack. He told how he had been a great fan of his panto dame for many years before he played the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham with Jack and Roy. His particular memories included seeing Jack in “Robinson Crusoe” with Anita Harris some fourteen times, and of his memories of the Theatre Royal Plymouth and Sadler’s Wells – his summing up of Jack was simple- “STYLE” .

Janet Brown related stories of her holidays spent abroad with Jack and his partner Allan Christie. She recalled going on to her balcony in Majorca- it was next to Jack’s balcony and seeing him standing there in a smoking jacket, his hair parted in the centre with a cigarette holder- he waited for her to come onto her balcony before launching into “Private Lives”!- She revealed that Jack gave her more laughs than anyone she knew, with the exception of her late husband, Peter Butterworth- and how when Jack and Peter got together they would both launch into Dame routine as “two old ladies with bad feet!”

Bill Pertwee reminded everyone of Jack’s days as the principal comedian in the “Fols”, and recalled an incident in the 1950’s. The tabs had caught fire, and Bill was thrown onto the stage, totally unprepared to “cover” until the problem was sorted out. Stumbling through his ad libbed routine he finished and discovered Jack was in the wings. Jack, not wishing to be the one forced to “ad-Lib” had fled to the foyer. “Where were you?” asked Bill. “I hid in the foyer- in the toilets. I knew it would be quiet there”. It was the fact that, at this point Jack was dressed as a prima Ballerina for his Swan Lake sketch- “I didn’t know whether to go in the Gents or the Ladies!”

Judy Spiers followed Bill, and recalled her pantomime with Jack She opened her “spot” by announcing “This is my first booking this season. Thank you Jack!”

Both she and Jack were natives of Plymouth, and between entrances he would tell Judy of his early life, growing up above the bakers shop his father owned in the Barbican Plymouth.

As a young man his dancing skills were to the fore, and he became praised in the local paper as “Plymouth’s Fred Astaire!” However, each morning before school Jack had to deliver the bread from his father’s shop. He was outraged. “Fred Astaire would NEVER do that!”

Anita Harris recalled “Two Crusoes, Two Whittingtons, Two Aladdins” and several “Jacks” all spent in the company of Jack Tripp. She called him “A Master Craftesman, a wit, and the embodiment of theatre”. Her tribute to Jack was a song from her musical “Bertie” about life behind the footlights.

Finally Jonathan Cecil took to the platform. Jonathan and his wife Anna Sharkey were close friends of Jack, and were constant visitors to his flat, and in communication with him to the very last. He related how, aged fifteen he went to see “Mother Goose” at Oxford Playhouse. The star was the Comedienne Ethel Revnell (Of Revnell & West) but to him the undoubted star was the young Jack Tripp as “Jonny”, Mother Goose’s son- in dungarees with “nimble footwork and a mobile face”.

Several decades later he saw Jack now “Elevated to dame- the best I ever saw”, he praised his attack, his vitality and his dame as “A truly believable and loveable creation”. In Jonathan’s words, Jack’s dame was “Everyone’s favourite Auntie”, a man who was truly in love with his craft. To conclude, Jonathan read the words he had written in a newspaper article about Jack Tripp-

“Eternally young, his sense of magic untarnished, the irrepressibly droll Jack Tripp embodies the true comic spirit of Christmas past, present and future!

Phil Starr the entertainer passed away today at his home in Brighton. Phil was one of the foremost "drag" cabaret entertainers in the country, and possessed the driest and wittiest sense of humour behind a totally deadpan face. Phil was a veteran pantomime Dame- in recent years he appeared at the Brick Lane Music Hall pantomimes for Vincent Hayes, working alongside Tommy Osbourne, and appearing in these pantomimes not as dame, but in the feminine guise of Dick Whittington's cat, or Goose.

The sight of Phil as Goose, towering over Tommy's dame dressed from head to toe in feather was enough to set the audience off on a roller-coaster of laughter that would last the entire evening and beyond. He would stare at the audience with his deadpan face, then with superb timing after holding a pause for longer than anyone would dare would blink and say "Quack!" - he could achieve more laughter with one word than many comics could in an evening.

The words you would most often hear from the audience in the bar afterwards were usually "He's only got to stand there, and I couldn't stop laughing!".. Phil however had honed his art and gained his superb comic timing from fifty years of constant entertaining- in theatres, pubs, bars and basically any where there was a gathering, Phil's warmth and talent came to the fore. He was essentially a Music Hall artiste.

As a regular visitor to Brick lane, I had a particular pleasure- one of Phil's routines involved a joke I had heard him perform many times before. I most enjoyed watching the audience as he came to the punch line..there would be the punch line.. there would be the pause while the audience digested it.. then the explosion- the joy of watching an audience helpless with laughter was the highlight of my evening.

Sadly Phil passed away just as he had begun a new venture- running his own hotel in Brighton. He was working up to the end, and his engagement book was full well into the end of next year- He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him, and enjoyed his craft.

Phil Starr sadly died last week and bought to a close a truly remarkable life and a brilliant career as an entertainer. Phil was a brilliant comedian in a frock and with his timing and originality a true inspiration to all who knew him. His guiding light was his mother, who he described as having an acerbic working class wit often reducing him to tears of laughter. Phil inherited her wit and with his unique voice and stunning legs became a true legend in his own lifetime. Feted in Brighton, where he settled, he always remained humble and modest and was known for his gentleness and graciousness to others. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten.

Yes- it is that time again. Now is probably the busiest time for pantomimes all over the country- the box offices are starting to see a surge in bookings as the nights draw in, and those handbills which have loitered in the theatre’s foyers are now starting to be restocked on a daily basis.

I get e-mails from panto folk telling me they start rehearsing in six or eight weeks time, and in the world of pantomime the people who create the magic are working their fingers to the bone, and, as any self respecting Dame will tell you, that gives you bony fingers..

To date I’ve spent the Summer months working out the script, which, thankfully is now finished. There it sits waiting to be bound as are so many other scripts around the country, before being sealed up into envelopes and sent to agents and artistes throughout the UK. The envelope will be torn open, and the script read in the following order- what scenes am I in.. do I get that number after all? How many changes? How many?? Hmm that’ll be cut second day of rehearsal..and then, and only then will the entire script be read!

I’ve had production meetings for the “Dick Whittington” wot I wrote, and sorted out the scenes- are there enough flying bars? Can we have the trap open at this point? Is it possible to do a rat ballet in a frontcloth?..But I’m not alone. In every theatre similar meetings have gone on, and fine tuning has already begun..

For my sins, I also costume the panto- after nearly thirty years I should be used to it by now, but no- it always seems bigger than last year. Why did I decide I simply HAD to have a Blue and Gold finale this year when I know I have nothing blue and gold in stock? Ah.. because we haven’t had one that colour before. Do I really need “Under the Sea” to look like Las Vagas? I mean, who wears feathers beneath the briny sea? The chorus does of course..acres of ‘em.. The same goes for tap dancing Beefeaters..it would be so much cheaper if they did a soft shoe shuffle wouldn’t it? The price of tap shoes being what they are times twelve..

As I trawl up and down Berwick street fighting off other costumiers for the last scrap of brocade I think of the vast army of highly skilled makers throughout this land. They’ve been ploughing yards of material under their sewing machines while the rest of the country were sunbathing- My “Dick Whittington” is not destined for the Palladium, but it still uses the talents of five different costume makers, a prop maker and several outside companies who specialise, as well as the firms that supply fabric, foam, trimmings and footwear-

Yes, Pantomime is not just for Christmas, it is for life! The industry uses the talents of thousands of skilled professionals behind the scenes, as well as the artistes who actually tread those boards- boards which incidentally have to be painted and lit, swept and maintained. Our magical world isn’t created over night, and all praise be to those people who, as I write this, are engaged in bringing some of that magic to a theatre near you very soon! God bless all those who are block booking, stitching, scribbling and marketing, along with those painting, lighting and performing! God Bless us one and all!

at 12 Noon on Friday 28th October 2005 at St Paul's Actors Church, Covent Garden.

BETTY ASTELL died on July 27^th aged 93, seven months after the death of her husband Cyril Fletcher.

Betty Astell was known as one of the finest principal girls in pantomime, and appeared in many pantomimes alongside her pantomime dame husband Cyril in shows that they produced together, and in pantomimes that she had written.

Betty was responsible for modernising and adapting pantomime scripts, in particular “Mother Goose”, “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Queen Of Hearts” in which Cyril played the Dame roles. Later, as a very glamorous Principal Boy Betty would star along side Cyril throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s, with Betty retiring from the stage in the early 1970’s, although she continued to write pantomime scripts with great skill.

Betty’s early career was in television, from it’s infancy. She was one of the first artistes to appear on the BBC, and played “Alice Fitzwarren” in the BBC pantomime “Dick Whittington” in 1932 (pictured left with Ann Maitland and Fred Douglas). Her career continued in film and and television, with tours in reviews and variety in addition to her radio appearances with Cyril. In many cases Betty provided the scripts for radio and television appearances as well as the film “A Piece Of Cake” that she appeared in with Cyril in 1948.

During the 1950’s she appeared with Cyril in his television shows, and toured during the year whilst writing and producing their highly successful pantomimes and Summer shows. Betty was responsible for ensuring costumes and scenery were always fresh and bright, and that the scripts were kept up to the minute whilst retaining their strong story lines.

In the 1970’s She and Cyril sold the sets and costumes of their “Sleeping Beauty” and “Mother Goose” productions to the newly opened Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford, and for several years these provided the basis of the early pantomimes there- indeed to this day a large number of Betty’s costumes are still in the theatre’s wardrobe store, in regular use, and in excellent condition thanks to her attention to detail and expertise.

Cyril and Betty moved to Jersey in the 1980’s, with Cyril continuing with his television career and indulging in his great love of gardening. Their daughter, the comedienne Jill Fletcher continues to uphold the traditions of her parents, and is a regular performer in pantomime and Music Hall.

Danny Hanton and Gavin Dean present Aladdin in Great Yarmouth every Friday night until the 5th September! This is the third year they have presented pantomime in the summer season and the tourists seem to love it.

On my sitting room wall I have a watercolour, taken from a production photograph. It is of the opening number of the Fol-de-Rols, circa 1960. Most of the people are unknown to me, but the central pair- the leading lady and man are quite recognisable. A tall dark haired woman and a short man- Kathleen West and Jack Tripp.

Jack did many seasons with the “Fols” in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s. They were a marriage made in heaven. The refined gentility and class of the “Fols” suited Jack to a Tee. It was a wonderful vehicle for all his dance items, and he was at his best in the sketches and musical numbers and witty pointe numbers.

His feed and life long partner on and off stage- Australian born Allen Christie also featured well in the “Fols” with his dancing skills and fine tenor voice, as well as the double act with Jack.

Jack’s more memorable items were “The cause of all the trouble” and “Holidays at home”- both musical items- dressed as rather posh tramps in broken down evening dress complete with spats, white gloves and top hats, with the company of the “Fols”- dancing a schotishe and singing with clipped refined tones about the income tax, and not going abroad any more.

He also excelled in domestic sketches with Joan Mann, with whom he worked with in the late ‘40’s and ‘50’s in Howard & Wyndham’s “Five Past Eight” shows. Sketches like “On his holidays” where he proceeded to arrange all their clothes and beach gear on the two rocks on stage (he was a window dresser!). His dancing items were just great. Partnered by Allen he would dance with three other couples in “Eightsome Reel”, “Come Dancing” and it wasn’t until halfway through that the audience realised the “girl” who kept going wrong was Jack. His best, to my mind, was the double with Allen where he was a rather refined and sex-starved pianist-“Rosy Bottom”, who became rather hot and bothered (Allen: “You may be hot, but you’ll NEVER be bothered!”) and had to blow down her blouse when Allen put his hand on her shoulder. At Allen’s request- “Shall I sing in a monastery garden?” Rosy’s reply was “Yes, if you can get the piano over the wall!” Great stuff!

Jack was born in Plymouth and came to the theatre as so many of his generation did via entertaining the troups in the Second World War. He understudied Sid Field in the West End and appeared in many reviews in Scotland and in the West End and all over the country.

He played comic in panto, but soon found his fate as Dame- and he was a wonderful dame-one of the greats in the true tradition of George Lacy, Terry Scott, Billy Dainty and Arthur Askey. He was never smutty and his costumes were superb. Always pristine- gingham dress with frills and snow-white pinny with frills, bloomers with anglais- he was an immaculate “Mum”, but he also had a wardrobe of “Funny” costumes, always keeping up with the current fashion- “This is my fun fur- yes, all the fun of the fur!”

I first saw Jack at the Congress Theatre Eastbourne in 1966 and I was enchanted. The next year I was in the company myself and loved dancing with him, especially in the “Tiller” kicking routine where I kicked- next to him. We used to try and see him every year in panto- Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Bournemouth as he worked in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s for Derek Salberg.

His last stage appearance was in Sandy Wilson’s “Divorce Me Darling” at Chichester, and he made a huge hit in a cameo role. He was very disenchanted by “Modern” panto, and glad to hang his “Boobs” up and retire.

About six months ago I found a lovely old copy of “In a monastery garden” and wrote on it “Did you ever get the piano over the wall?”. I sent it to Jack and he sent back a card that said “That was very funny- and yes I did!” I’m so glad he did.

A Pantomime career of over 50 years , carried on the tradition of the "Realistic " Dame of Dan Leno "Giving the character a veneer of refinement yet creating an instant rapport with children in the audience"

Jack was born in Plymouth, and spent many childhood hours at his local theatre, the Palace, Plymouth, where he and his parents made regular Monday night visits to see the weekly touring shows and pantomimes.

It was at this time that Jack took up tap dancing lessons, and after winning the Plymouth Dancing Festival took up dancing and singing as his career.

During the war he was drafted to the REME at Ashton-Under-Lyne, and was posted to the Entertainment Unit “Stars in Battledress”, working with performers like Charlie Chester and Terry Thomas.

On demobilisation he was signed up by theatrical agent Len Barry, and his first professional job was understudying Sid Field in “Piccadilly Hayride” at the Prince Of Wales Theatre in London.

One night Jack saw Sid Field waiting in the wings at the Prince of Wales Theatre. One of the beautiful seven-feet-high showgirls passed him wearing, as Jack says, “Just about one feather, two milk bottle tops and a five foot jewelled headdress”

(The above story is taken from Roy Hudd’s book of Music Hall, Variety and Showbiz Anecdotes (1993))

A year later he joined the famous “Five Past Eight” shows in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and performed in pantomime in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Liverpool where he played comic son to Douglas Byng’s Dame in “Goody Two Shoes”. “I learnt from one of the greatest pantomime dames in the business”.

After many summer seasons and pantomimes in Scotland, Jack moved on to the Fol De Rols, playing fourteen consecutive seasons at Eastbourne, Hastings, Torquay, Bournemouth, Scarborough, and again in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. He also performed in 'Such is Life' with Al Read and Shirley Bassey.

His first “South of the Border” Dame came when he was signed by Derek Salberg, and for the next fifteen years he played dame at Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Bradford, followed by seasons for Duncan Weldon’s “Triumph Productions” and for Paul Elliott’s “E&B Productions”.

His long association with Roy Hudd and Geoffrey Hughes saw Jack as Dame in Dick Whittington, Aladdin and Babes in the Wood, which he played at Sadlers Wells in 1994.

Jack was featured in the Arts Council Film “Pantomime Dame” that was shown in cinemas around the country and on television, and appearances in both Royal Command and Royal Variety performances.

In 1997 he appeared alongside Joan Savage in Divorce Me Darling at the Chichester Festival.

Jack retired to his home in Brighton, Sussex but continued, up to the very last to encourage and help up and coming pantomime dames with advice, material and suggestions for songs and “Business”. “What A Performer!” He will be very sadly missed by everyone in Pantoland.

The following stories are also from Roy Hudd’s book of Music Hall, Variety and Showbiz Anecdotes. (1993)

Jack Tripp the immaculate, ebullient, brilliant dancing and sketch comedian, for many years with the famous “Fol-de-rols” summer show. He is today’s top pantomime dame. Jack played panto one year with Basil Brush, whose “minder” is Ivan Owen. As usual, after a day off, the company met at the “half hour call” to discuss what they’d been up to. Poor Ivan said “Well, I had an awful week-end. I got home to discover we’d had burglars. They’d ransacked the entire house but do you know they didn’t take a thing? Commented Jack, “How humiliating”

Jack is the son of a Plymouth baker, and in the days B.T (before television), when radio was the only evening leisure activity, showbusiness was a mysterious world to his relations. He’d just done his first professional job and an Aunt asked him if he’d liked it.

“Well”, replied auntie in her lovely west country drawl, “You’ve always got somewhere to go at night”

Janet Brown was in a Derek Salberg pantomime with Jack at Wolverhampton. One morning Janet watched two women inspecting the front-of-house photographs.

“You know”, said her friend, “We’ve seen him before- she’s marvellous!”

Jack Tripp was remembered on Monday, July 18, when his funeral was held at the Downs Crematorium, Bear Road in Brighton. Among the many mourners were John Inman, Chris Haywood, Paul Holman, Anita Harris and husband Mike Margolis, Roger Redfarn, Joan Mann (Fol-de Rols), Chris Emmett, Janet Brown, Roy and Debbie Hudd, Tony Adams, Mimi Law and Ron Freeman. Both Tony Adams and Roy Hudd spoke of their memories of Jack, and 'There is Nothing Like a Dame' played at the end of the funeral. More details to follow.