Please note that any links are purely reciprocal and not necessarily recommended

15th August 2008

The Mayflower Open Day

Have you ever wanted to find out what it would be like to stand on the Mayflower’s stage, or get up close to the beautiful stage costumes? Well now is your chance, as part of the Mayflower’s 21^st Anniversary celebrations this year, they will be opening their doors to the public on Saturday 6 September for an Open Day.

There will be workshops onstage for young people with the English National Ballet, and Welsh National Opera, Many of the dressing rooms will be open with sumptuous costumes on display. Families can discover how the technical side of the theatre works, looking behind the spotlight, and get the actors point of view looking out from the Mayflower stage at over 2,000 seats!

Visitors will have to be careful who they bump into as two of the best pantomime dames in the business, Andrew Ryan and Nigel Ellacott, will be roaming throughout the theatre. There may even be the chance to meet a celebrity or two from an upcoming Mayflower show.

There will also be a short film about the history of the venue from its beginnings in 1928 shown throughout the day.

With face painting for the children, a little magic, and our knowledgeable staff, we will ensure this day out is a must for all the family!

This will be the chance for everyone to get a rare insight into everything that happens on and off-stage at one of the biggest theatres in the UK. The day will include a variety of activities for all ages, doors open at 10am and adults tickets are just £2.50 each, children under 16 are free!

Dennis Hall, the Mayflower’s Chief Executive said, “It is our 21^st birthday, and what better way to celebrate than to open our doors to the general public. I look forward to welcoming our regular theatergoers and also those who have just wanted to know what goes on in this historic building”.

The last open day was held in 1997 to celebrate the 10^th Anniversary of the theatre, although regular backstage theatre tours run during the year.

Tickets for The Mayflower Open Day are on sale from The Mayflower Box Office 02380 711811, online at www.mayflower.org.uk or in person from Mayflower ticket south, at WestQuay Shopping Centre, Southampton.

31st July 2008

ELEMENTARY MY DEAR SISTER!

Which way to the Prince's Castle? - oops, sorry, wrong show!

Time is running out to catch Peter Robbins, one half of The Uglies, as Sherlock Holmes in the Illyria Open Air Tour of Hound of the Baskervilles. Tour dates can be obtained from the website.

31st July 2008

Mimi Law (9th May 1917 - 27th June 2008)

We received the sad news that Mimi Law the comedienne passed away on Friday 27^th June at Brindsworth House. Mimi was 91 years old, and had been a resident at Brindsworth  in recent times.

A very spry and energetic lady, I last saw Mimi at a memorial service at St. Paul’s Covent Garden in February, and not having seen her in a good few years was delighted to find her as lively and as enthusiastic as ever. She retained this to the last - not surprising for an entertainer who, along with her comedian husband, Billy Whittaker had worked all over the world as a highly successful and popular double act.

Billy was a much sought after pantomime Dame, and ranked alongside the likes of George Lacy, Clarkson Rose and  Nat Jackley, and Mimi often appeared alongside him in pantoland. Mimi’s brother was Jerry Jerome. As children they began their joint theatrical careers as the “Bisto Kids”. Jerry was later to become an impresario producing pantomimes and Summer shows, while Mimi teamed up with Billy playing the major variety and panto circuits.

In turn, Billy’s father was the music hall ventriloquist Coram who, with his astonishing “Automaton”- or “Dummy” became the highest paid speciality of this kind . The dummy, named Jerry was capable of being operated whilst standing next to his creator.

Mimi’s drive and energy was an example to us all, and I enjoyed touring with her in “Pinocchio” in her later years, and appearing with her in a few variety shows .

Mimi's funeral took place on the 17th July in Twickenham

Nigel Ellacott

Mimi Law was a rare breed of stage performer- she was funny-really funny- a true born comic.

She was born into a theatrical family and as a child, together with her brother Jerry Jerome (who became a theatrical producer, with pantos and summer seasons all over the country from the ‘50’s to the ‘80’s). were the original Bisto Kids.

She worked all her performing life in the theatre. First as a solo artiste, then as a double act with her husband Billy Whittaker.

Billy and Mimi worked all over the country and abroad in reviews and summer seasons from the 1940’s to the 1980’s. Originally Mimi was the “feed” to Billy, and performed in the shows as soubrette in production items, but gradually Billy realised Mimi’s comic potential as a wonderful character performer, and by the 1970’s the roles had been reversed, and Bill was the straight foil to Mimi’s comedy characters- the most popular being “Daisy Stinks” (Some days I do, some days I don’t!)

Panto saw them going different ways as Billy played “Mum” to stars such as Norman Wisdom and Ken Dodd, and Mimi usually directed and performed for her brother Jerry Jerome.

I first met Mimi in 1974 when we (Phillip and I) had the contract to put the girls into the show that summer that Bill and Mimi were doing at Ryde, I.O.W. She loved our ideas, music and costumes, and we became lifelong friends. From 1977 they worked almost entirely for and with us in summer shows, pantos, tours, plays and one nighters. They both considered themselves as part of our “little firm” (Charles Haley Productions).

Mimi was wonderful in our 1940’s show “There’ll Always Be An England” where her “New Recruit” sketch stopped the show, and her comedy solo spot (Top of the bill, before the finale) sitting on a high stool (I’m not gonna do nothin’- she would say), was also a winner.

She was excellent in production with a fine singing voice, playing the uke or banjo, and dancing, always looking immaculate and glamorous.

Bobby Crush - Mimi Law as Puss

Her panto characters of “Cuddles” and “Puss In Boots” were also memorable, and she performed every year in panto, mostly for Charles Haley Productions up until 1994 - her last panto at the Medina Theatre, Newport I.O.W where she and Bill had lived since 1974.

Mimi Law as Cuddles

Mimi always looked wonderful, and was full of energy and attack. She had to leave the Isle Of Wight last year and was living (not quietly!) in Brindsworth House at Twickenham. She was out gadding most days, and had been on an outing to Brighton with a friend the day before she died. She was a great performer, a real “old ‘Pro” and a dear friend, and she will be much missed. She came to Phillip’s memorial concert in February at St. Paul’s Covent Garden, and the CAA (Concert Artistes Association) and saw many old friends there.

We were astounded to find out that she had reached the wonderful age of 91- she looked about 65! Farewell Meemow- it was lovely to know you.

Jennifer Haley - Toad Hall

Patrick Newley Obituary from The Stage

31st July 2008

Alan Haynes (1918 - 2008)

The entertainer Alan Haynes passed away on 17^th March 2008.

Alan was, during the 1950’s and  1960’s  along with his partner Danny La Rue, the top Ugly Sister duos in the country.

Alan had originally partnered the late  Terry Gardner in variety and clubs, and while Terry played Ugly Sister with his stage partner Barri Chat, Alan teamed up with the then unknown Danny La Rue to perform in clubs and establish themselves as Ugly Sisters in major pantomimes.

All in all Alan and Danny appeared in “Cinderella” as the sisters for a decade and a half before Danny’s commitments to his club in Hanover Square and his solo career took over, and Alan set up his own west End club in London.

Among the pantomimes they appeared in together were the 1964 “Cinderella” at the New Theatre Oxford with Des O’ Connor and Yana- Alan then was billed before Danny, and the 1965  “Cinderella” at the Golders Green Hippodrome with Dickie Henderson and Yana.

After Danny’s huge success  with his club and West End show “Come Spy With Me”, Alan and Danny appeared at Golders Green once again in “Sleeping Beauty,” with Danny top of the bill, and Alan as the Queen Mother.

Patrick Newley Obituary from The Stage

13th June 2008

Paul Elliott - 50 Years in Showbusiness!

Read our special report of Paul Elliott's celebration of 50 Years in Showbusiness.

30th May 2008

Brian Godfrey Surprise Party - 26th May 2008

Brian Godfrey, Panto Dame and Ugly Sister of long standing, celebrated his sixtieth birthday yesterday. Planning a quiet day he was suitably surprised when a group of his panto mates, fellow farceurs and friends threw a surprise party in Covent Garden.

Celebrating with Brian were Jody Crosier, Jeff Brady, John Crabtree, Nigel Ellacott, Anita Graham, Linda Hayden,  Patrick Jamieson, Jonathan Kiley, Mary and Amanda O'Toole, Mark Pollard, Tony Priestley, Andrew Ryan and Marc Seymour.

Brian will be appearing as Ugly Sister this season for Qdos in "Cinderella" at the Royal and Derngate Northampton.

17th May 2008 - Updated

Terry Duggan (15th April 1932 - 1st May 2008)

We were sorry to hear the news last week that Terry Duggan, the comedian and actor has died, following a hard fought battle against illness.

Terry was married to the actress Anna Karen, and like Anna appeared in many television, film and stage roles, including pantomimes.

He wrote the Shaw Theatre’s “Aladdin” in 1986 which starred Anna, along with Norman Beaton, Debbie Bishop and Martin Chamberlain, and over the years has been instrumental in providing material, gags and very sound comic advice to pantomime artistes.

Terry’s career as a stage and club comedian allowed him to hone his comic timing, and no-one could rival him when it came to his comedic speciality- “The Drunk Act”.

Terry’s routine as a drunk, returning home from a long night on the tiles was astonishing in its truthfulness and in the number of sight gags he could wring out of a battered suitcase of props. In fact, when I worked with Terry during a Music Hall at the Kenneth More Theatre, so convincing was his act that he almost didn’t get the opportunity to perform it!

He would enter from the auditorium, rolling and staggering, engaging in banter with the audience before eventually making his way up on to the stage. An over zealous usherette spotted this trouble maker as he stumbled into the auditorium, and, enlisting help, attempted to eject him from the theatre!

Terry’s film and television work included parts in some of the  popular series. It gave fans of “On The Buses” a thrill to spot Terry appearing in various roles, often opposite Anna playing “Olive”, from an early appearance in 1969 and 1970 to playing “Nobby” in the 1971 series.

His film work included the Terence Stamp and Carol White film “Poor Cow” in 1967, a year in which he also appeared in the prestigious “Wednesday Play” on television- “An Officer Of The Court” and in “Profile Of A Gentleman”. In 1969 he made an appearance in “Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)., and in the film “A Nice Girl Like Me”.

In 1970 he appeared in the Hammer Film “The Horror Of Frankenstein”, followed in 1971 with the film “Family Life” . He also found time to appear in variety and clubs, as well as panto appearances.

He appeared in BBC’s “Dixon Of Dock Green” in 1972 and again in 1974, and appeared with Anna again in the 1976 film“A Place To Hide”  followed by appearing with his wife in the 1977 film “What’s Up Nurse?”,” and the horror film “Schizo”.

Terry  arrived at Grace Brothers’ store in 1977 to play a cameo in “Are You Being Served” opposite John Inman and Trevor Bannister, and  continued to appear in theatre throughout the eighties, along with appearances on television in “Poirot” and “A Class Act”, as well as “Murder By Decree”.

Terry was a member of the Grand Order Of Water Rats, and was a great support to Anna when, as a member of the Grand Order of Lady Ratlings” she was “Queen Ratling” for the year.

I am proud to have had Terry as a friend, and deeply indebted to him for all the “fine tuning” and practical advice he gave when it came to writing or performing in a routine or a “scena”- He could be relied on for the perfect joke or bit of comic business that was missing from a routine, and would go to great lengths to ensure every last piece of comic potential could be extracted from a gag or even a word.

Terry, it was a huge joy to have known you, and I know that there are a huge number of people in this business who would agree with me there.

Our sympathies to Anna.

Terry’s funeral will be held at Golders Green on Tuesday May 13^th  at 11am.

Nigel Ellacott

Funeral Service

The funeral service for Terry Duggan was held today- Tuesday 13^th May at the Golders Green Crematorium in North London at 11am.

 

The service was conducted by Canon Rodney Mathews, and as Terry was a “Past Trap Guard” for the Grand Order Of Water Rats, and Anna is a previous Queen Ratling of the Grand Order Of Lady Ratlings, there was a large attendance of fellow members of the GOWR at the service in addition to family members, friends and colleagues of Terry from the world of theatre, film and pantomime.

 

The Valediction of the Grand Order Of Water Rats was spoken by Keith Simmons, followed by hymns and prayers, and the song “The Mountains Of Mourne” sung by Isosceles. This was followed by a tribute from Roy Hudd, OBE.

 

Roy recalled first meeting Terry and Anna, and working on a film in the early days when Terry was employed as a stunt man in films. He recalled how Terry often played “The Tough Guy” roles in films and on television, and that he had begun his life in Hoxton, performing from the age of eight, and becoming an acrobat, which led him to stunt work, before becoming an actor and a comedian on the variety and club circuits.

 

Later in the service Sam Kane sang “The Wind Beneath My Wings” followed by the committal, accompanied by a piece of music called “In Paradisum” composed by Ben Robbins. Ben being the son of Michael Robbins who played Anna Karen’s long suffering husband “Arthur” in their series “On The Buses”.

 

The chapel was filled with Anna & Terry’s family and friends, including Gloria Gill Terry’s daughter,and Robyn Gill his Grand-daughter, and friends, colleagues and fellow Rats and Ratlings .

 

The world of show business was well represented, and among the large congregation were very many of Anna and Terry’s friends, only some of whom I’ve listed below- my apologies to those I have missed out, but with such a huge “Turn out” at the chapel, and later at the Queen’s Tavern in Primrose Hill (superb catering by Michelle- Anna & Terry’s long time friend, who proposed a toast to Terry’s memory ) means I wasn’t able to get everyone’s names. Some of those attending today include:

Barbara Windsor, Sophie Lawrence and Jon Conway, Roy Hudd, Keith Simmons, Barry Cryer and his wife Terry ,Penny Ramsey, Melvyn Hayes, Linda Lusardi and Sam Kane, Kate Williams and daughter Kelly, Philip Hedley CBE, Sue Douglas, Doreen Hermitage and Ivan, Michelle McCann, Marsha-Rae Ratcliff and John Ratcliff, Frederick Pyne, Sarah Whitlock, Bryan Burdon and his wife Andrea, Rosemarie, Julie Rogers and Michael Black, Chris Emmett, Vincent Hayes, Val Fontaine and Udo, Doreen Hermitage and Ivan, Maurice Thoroughgood and Pat Hayley, Vivyan Ellacott, Nigel Ellacott, Andrew Ryan, Barbara Hills, Stephen and Barbara Eke, Tane Larkin Te-Awe Awe, Philip Gould-Jones and Scott Howard, Costa, (Terry’s carer for some years), Len Howe and Audrey Maye, Billie and Rex Roper, Bobby and Moira Roberts, Sue Craig, John Adrian (secretary to the Trustees of the Water Rats, responsible for organising the Order of Service)

It was a truly beautiful service, and a fitting tribute to a very lovely man.

1st April 2008 - Updated

John Chilvers MBE (1920-2008)

It is with deep sadness we report the death of John Chilvers at the age of 88 – obituaries and full details of the funeral celebration are now contained in a dedicated page.

19th March 2008

THE ENCORE OSCARS - 2007/8 Season

Compiled by Jim Kennedy for Encore Magazine

BUTTONS/MUDDLES: Tucker (Regent Theatre, Ipswich)

DAME: Royce Mills (Yvonne Arnaud Guildford)

UGLY SISTERS: Nigel Ellacott & Peter Robbins (Wycombe Swan)

WICKED WITCH: Alison Fitzjohn (Princes Hall Aldershot)

ABANAZAR: Samuel Holmes (Royal Spa Theatre Leamington)

KING RAT: Colin Baker (Theatre Royal Norwich)

PRINCIPAL BOYS: Nicky Adams (Theatre Royal Norwich) & Tiffany Graves (Capitol Theatre Horsham)

GOOD FAIRY: Amanda Barrie (Gordon Craig, Stevenage)

HENCHMAN: Alex Poulter (Palace Theatre Newark)

SPIRIT OF THE LAMP: Hilary O’Neil (Marlowe Th. Canterbury

19th March 2008

What the sisters have been up to since High Wycombe! Part Two

THE MAYOR'S PANTOMIME

Each year, for the past ten years, The Kenneth More Theatre has staged The Annual London Mayors’ Pantomime. See our full report.

15th March 2008

What the sisters have been up to since High Wycombe! Part One

We apologise for the delay in bringing you this article! Where has the first part of this year gone!?

Hippodrome Revisited!

Had a great few days recently (Okay this email has been sitting in Simon's Inbox for sometime!) at the Birmingham Hippodrome, seeing “Aladdin”, and catching up with our mates there- the pantomime plays twice daily until Sunday 27^th January. Ian Sandy- company manager-was, as ever a splendid host, and Peter, Andrew and myself would like to thank Ian and the company for a wonderful show and a very jolly company meal afterwards!

Having marvelled at the show- it’s always a joy to see a new pantomime- special effects include “Bogglevision” in 3D, and the Daleks (do they get their own dressing room I wonder?) and of course the cast, headed by John Barrowman, The Grumbleweeds, Don Maclean, Lila McConigley, Pete Gallagher, Masashi Fujimoto and Philip Andrew, we ran into Aaron Francis in the Ensemble. Aaron was with us when we played Darlington about seven years ago- good to see him again!

Caught up with the ladies of the wardrobe- Laura and Roanne, and wardrobe supervisor Rodney Worth who were with us last year at the “Hippo”, as was Bob Willis the Musical Director.

Really enjoyed this show- brought to you by Paul Elliott and Paul Robinson (who presented our show at Wycombe this season) and enjoyed a fun evening chatting to Don and his wife Toni, and to Graham and Robin- aka “The Grumbleweeds”.

Thanks everyone for a lovely night!

4th March 2008

The 2008/9 Diary! It's Never to Early to Start!

Now in it's full format

21st February 2008

Record Ticket Sales for 2007/8 Pantomime Season

http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/19882/qdos-and-ffe-sell-more-than-2m-tickets-in

17th February 2008

Pantomime isn't just for Christmas, it's for Easter as well!

Trio Entertainment present Aladdin at the Valley Community Theatre, Netherley, Liverpool. It runs from the 21st March to the 24th March. Performances 21st (7pm), 22nd (2pm & 7pm), 23rd (2pm & 7pm) and 24th (2pm & 7pm). The cast is still to be confirmed but contains Mr Reece Sibbald as Wishee Washee and Jennifer King as Princess. Trio Entertainment is a group formed from young professionals and young amateurs in Liverpool.

We hope to carry some stories on this production as the opening night approaches.
 

5th January 2008

The Pantomime Roadshow - 2007 Highlights

It's incredible to think that barely three months ago High Wycombe was in the future and Nigel, Peter and Andrew were touring the country with The Pantomime Roadshow promoting not only the many shows being produced up and down the country but also the history of pantomime. We thought we'd share with you some press cuttings, feedback letters and a video report, just to show you what the gang get up to before panto season.

w/c 29th October - His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen

Two Newspaper Articles - The Times Educational Supplement and St Peter's Press/The Primary Times

click to enlarge

Click on letters to read some of the pupils feedback

w/c 5th November - Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton

See the Video Feedback from Wolverhampton

Opens in Express and Star Website

Nigel Ellacott, Peter Robbins and Andrew Ryan

27th December 2007

Pat Kirkwood (1921 - 2007)

Here at IBY we were saddened to hear of the death of one of the finest Principal Boys of all time - Pat Kirkwood.

She became one of the top Principal Boys in pantomime during the late 1930's and 1940's. "Humpty Dumpty" at The London Coliseum in 1943 brought her to the attention of Film magnates in the USA and began a successful film career in Hollywood and in Great Britain.

Patricia Kirkwood died on Christmas Day at a nursing home in Yorkshire aged 86.

Obituary - BBC

News Item - BBC
 

20th December 2007

APPEARING IN THE STAGE - 20th December Issue

Nigel helping Mark Ritchie with his pantomime preparations and an article about Mark's forthcoming pantomime debut.

6th December 2007

SPOT THE DAME

So who is this fresh faced Dame - Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine in Scotland. This actor has penned many scripts for FFE this year and not only is he also appearing in an FFE pantomime but he's also appeared in the nations favourite soap! Do you know who it is? Well click here to solve the mystery!

1st December 2007

BIGGINS - King of the Jungle!

Congratulations to Christopher Biggins on being crowned King of the Jungle in the latest series of I'm a Celebrity......he joins fellow pantomime star Joe Pasquale in being one of the winners of the Celebrity Reality Show. Biggins isn't appearing in Panto this year - he'll probably not have too much time now - but we hope to see him back amongst the fold next year!

26th November 2007

Pantomime Political Correctness!

Seems pantomime is a source of great discussion at the moment - this taken from The Sunday Telegraph.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/25/nxmas225.xml

26th November 2007

Pantomime Countdown Continued!

Well, the clock on the Wycombe webpage now says 10 days until we open in “Cinderella”- and the clock is ticking! I’ll be starting the Wycombe Diary in earnest from Tuesday 27^th November and, internet permitting, sending daily reports from the “Swan” about life backstage, life on stage and, oh- I guess “The Life Of Brian” while I’m at it- Conley that is!

Since the last Panto Update Peter & I have been travelling up and down the country with the Pantomime Roadshow- I think we clocked 1,400 miles this time, and played to about eight thousand children all in all! We visited Hull, Aberdeen and Wolverhampton, and send thanks to all concerned at the theatres there for all their help.

With less than a day to go before rehearsals begin, there’s still a lot of pre panto-ing to do, especially on my “other” panto- “Jack & The Beanstalk” at the Kenneth More, Ilford. Final fittings were scheduled for most of last week, and we had a poorly Giant to attend to. Sadly when Giant Blunderbore was retrieved from storage, he’d fallen asleep on one side, and damaged his framework, so off he goes, back to meet his maker, and hopefully returns in time for rehearsal.

In between fittings Peter arrived at the theatre to get our costumes ready for collection last Friday- that worked out to be two rails of costumes, and one rail of wigs- we’ve found that putting the wigs in bags and tying them to the rail means we can transport about sixteen on one rail. This takes up much less room than boxing them individually. The larger items (The deckchair, picnic basket and ice-cream costumes) are impossible to wrap, so they’ll travel swathed in sheets in the meantime!

Hopefully by December 5th our costumes should be winging their way to Wycombe, arriving with the set and the rest of the show’s wardrobe. Jack’s Giant should be having an operation, and all my flower fairies for Ilford will be fitted and kitted out with wings and wands..then it’s straight into rehearsal tomorrow, and the Wycombe Diary starts for real!

15th October 2007

Pantomime Countdown

Glancing at the website for High Wycombe I was greeted by their “countdown” clock, informing me that there are 58 days until we open in “Cinderella”!

Those of us who have visited the odd department stores recently will be left in no doubt that panto is just around the corner- about a month ago I saw my first Christmas tree in Debenhams's- I swear it was wilting in the heat of late Summer! It seems that decorations and cards are flooding into the shops earlier and earlier, and for those of us involved in putting on a panto, it makes us feel decidedly edgy!

This last week Peter and I (along with Andrew Ryan) were in Hull with the Pantomime Roadshow, visiting ten schools in the area to bring some of the flavour of panto- along with a bit of its history and tradition to the children. It was an eye-opener to us to witness those schools coping so well with some of the worst flooding in modern times. Many schools we visited had been flooded and were either undergoing restoration and repair, or awaiting the builders.

I play the piano as part of the Roadshow, and in three cases there WAS no piano. With water rising almost two feet in some cases, the school halls suffered, the piano was ruined and most of the electrical equipment followed suit. the New Theatre itself had been flooded, and the dressing room and orchestra pit area badly effected. The Schools, along with the Theatre have declared “Business as usual”, and it was extremely uplifting to see the “show going on” in both classroom and auditorium!

Before we set off for Aberdeen and Wolverhampton with the Roadshow there’s some frantic “finishing off” to be done on the Pantomime I’ve written and that I’m costuming. I won’t be alone- all over the country at this time of year the final preparations are underway for the pantomime season.

The costumes I’ve designed are now gradually making their way back to me for final fittings and alterations, just as they are in wardrobe departments all over the country. The children’s footwear and tights are on order (that’s 24 pairs of shoes in total- and what’s the betting that the children’s feet have grown since they were measured?) The late castings of Jack & Jill mean that some costumes may have to be made at this late stage, and my “Flower Fairy” opening is not yet completed- Fairy Daffodil has had five inches removed from the hem and Fairy Fuchsia is awaiting her petals!

Over the next fortnight I will be trying to fit in fittings frantically! With the chorus changing six times, and the juveniles changing five times, plus the Principals, there are a lot of costumes to be collated and sorted before early December. The Giant has yet to meet  the actor who will be staggering under the weight of Blunderbore, and the inflatable beanstalk (courtesy of Qdos) won’t be arriving for a few weeks yet.

The “Special effects”  for the show are underway, and the rig from Hi-Fly has been organised to fly Jack up to beanstalk-land, but as yet these are all to become reality.

All over the UK at this moment the wardrobe boxes and rails are starting to fill up. Wigs are being stewed and glued at the wig factory, the shoe factory is coping with the demands of a Dame Boot (Spanish heel, side zip, laced front. Pink) in Size 11 upwards, and someone somewhere has decided that Daisy the cow’s udders HAVE to be replaced, along with a set of new paws for Tommy The Cat.

Authors are hastily adding a character called “Rat-A-Two-EE” into Dick Whittington (By the way Mr Disney, I wrote a Rat-A-Two-Ee” into the Ilford Panto eight years ago- a cheque will be fine!) and  the producers are still waiting to see if there is a number for the Songsheet due out in the next few weeks!

Peter and I will be checking our costumes are ready to be collected, and packing our touring tea-set earlier this year, as we’ve still got to fit in two more Roadshows before we start rehearsals on November 26^th..

Yes- it is the countdown to pantomime. It is starting to get busier with each passing day, and sometimes you feel it will never be ready on time- but then, it always is! Maybe THAT is the magic of panto?

Nigel Ellacott

1st October 2007

Pre-Pantomime Whereabouts!

So what do you do out of season? Where can you find some of our regular pantomime performers and associates! Well this little IBY handy guide to just a few of them might get you in the mood for a pre-pantomime theatre visit!

RUTH MADOC - Ruth can be seen as Miss Hannigan in the Chris Moreno's UK Tour of Annie. Tour dates up to the end of the year:- w/c 1st Oct Scarborough, w/c 8th Oct Halifax, w/c 15th Oct Nottingham, w/c 22nd Oct Sheffield, w/c 29th Oct Dartford, w/c 5th Nov St Albans. Then Ruth goes to Blackpool for SLEEPING BEAUTY with UK Productions.

BRITT EKLAND  is about to open in "Grumpy Old Women" alongside Dillie Keane and Denise Black. The National tour premiers in Basildon at the Towngate Theatre this Wednesday (September 26th) and continues around the country on a series of one night stands right up until December 3rd at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh. see www.grumpyoldwomenlive.com  for dates. Britt then heads directly for the Wyvern Theatre Swindon where she will be appearing as the Fairy Godmother in "Cinderella".

Talking of Cinderella, our very own webmaster Simon Curtis is just about to open in a production of La Cenerentola by Rossini. Produced by Welsh National Opera it opened in Cardiff last week and heads out on tour in a couple of weeks taking in Liverpool, Southampton, Oxford, Swansea, Bristol, Llandudno and Birmingham. More details can be found on www.wno.org.uk.

La Cenerentola - WNO Full Cast

Pictures © Bill Cooper - Simon is the one on the top level, furthest right!

GARY WILMOT is starring in "Half A Sixpence" on tour at the moment. Gary won't be making a pantomime appearance this year, but will be appearing at the Mayflower Theatre Southampton over Christmas in The Wizard of Oz. Details of Half a Sixpence can be found on the Bill Kenwright website. KATHRYN ROONEY is also appearing in Half a Sixpence as Flo Bates - she can be seen in Newcastle this coming season in Aladdin.

DAVID ESSEX is starring in 'Aspects of Love' on tour before he takes a break to head to Northampton to play Captain Hook for Qdos. This tour is co-produced by Michael Harrison - the new Qdos Pantomime Managing Director.

A busy man Michael, he is also producing, alongside panto producing legend Paul Elliot, the musical 'Hot Flush'. It stars SHEILA FERGUSON, SAM KANE, with panto veterans Rula Lenska and Marti Webb. It tours for the rest of the autumn w/c 1st Oct - High Wycombe, w/c 15th Oct - Manchester, w/c 29th Oct - Canterbury, w/c 5th Nov - Hull, w/c 12th Nov - Edinburgh, w/c 19th Nov - Llandudno and w/c 26th Nov - Richmond. Sheila then heads off to Chatham with Evolution Pantomimes and Sam heads to Wolverhampton with Qdos.

Bad Girls star HELEN FRASER is currently reviving her "Bodybag" role in "Bad GIrls The Musical" at the Garrick Theatre in London's West End, before appearing as Fairy Bodybag in "The Sleeping Beauty" at the Pavilion Bournemouth alongside Malandra Burrows, Christopher Pizzey and Andrew Ryan, for UK Productions.

It's still not too late to catch One For the Road at the Mill Theatre, Sonning. Husband and wife LYNETTE MCMORROUGH and NICK WILTON are spending some time together before the pantomime season sends them to different parts of the country. Nick is off to Hull with Qdos and Lynette is off to Richmond, Surrey with FFE. The play runs at Sonning until October 20th.

We're sure that these aren't the only ones, so if you have any more information please send it to us.

26th September 2007

The Magic of Pantomime Roadshow

Dates have been announced for the Autumn of 2007. The Roadshow will be visiting Hull, Aberdeen and Wolverhampton. Check out the Roadshow pages for more information.

25th August 2007

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE A HOME

Paul Elliott's comedy is back on the road and heading to a theatre near you in the run up to the pantomime season. Read the article for more information.

5th August 2007

PANTO ISN'T JUST FOR CHRISTMAS!

Beauty and the Beast

The New Empire Theatre, Southend On Sea

from Thursday 9th - Tuesday 14th August 2007 at 2pm & 7pm daily:

with Pete Hillier, Paul Ferguson, Paul Cattermole and Carly Hillman.

Dick Whittington

The Marina Centre, Great Yarmouth

or telephone 01493 851521

Every Friday night from 27th July to 31st August 2007

_{Danny Hanton & Gavin Dean are back for their third summer panto in Great Yarmouth. Packed full of traditional routines and madcap humour.}

28th June 2007

REDBRIDGE LAUNCHES NEW INFORMATION SERVICE WITH PANTO FRIENDS

Jody Crosier, Brian Godfrey, Councillor Joyce Ryan, Kathryn Rooney, Clare Harvey

Redbridge Council launched its new information website today, and invited a few panto pals over to the Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford to help launch the event, along with the Mayor of Redbridge, Councillor Joyce Ryan.
 

Clare Harvey, Jody Crosier, Kathryn Rooney & Brian Godfrey

Familiar faces from Pantoland seen here are Brian Godfrey in his role as Dame, (Brian will be appearing in Wolverhampton this season) Kathryn Rooney in her role as Snow White (Kathryn will forsake Snow White for Princess Jasmine at Newcastle this Christmas), Jody Crosier, seen here as Buttons (Jody joins Nigel & Peter at High Wycombe again this panto) and Clare Harvey as Cinderella (Clare will be choreographing at Broxbourne this pantomime season).
 

Nigel Ellacott

Nigel Ellacott took to the keyboard for this event, leaving the hosting of the launch to his panto pals. A good time was had by all!

p.s if you look very closely at the photograph of our panto stars with the Mayor, on the wall behind them you might spot webmaster Simon Curtis - in a photograph displayed at the theatre from a production of Albert Herring, the Opera! So even Simon got in on the act!
 

24th June 2007

NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR QDOS PANTOMIMES

Nick Thomas, Chairman of Qdos Entertainment, today announced that Michael Harrison, one of the country’s most successful young producers, has been appointed Managing Director of the company’s Pantomime Division.

“Michael brings to this new position a wealth of creative talent and production skills that will see the Division develop and grow in the future,” says Nick. “Michael and Qdos have enjoyed a fruitful relationship over the past few years and I am delighted that this new role will strengthen his association with the company,” he added.

Welcoming his new role within the Qdos Group of Companies, Michael Harrison said;

“I am absolutely delighted to extend and enhance my relationship with Qdos. I have very much enjoyed working with Nick and the team over the past few years and I am very excited to have the opportunity to help shape and direct the future of the company. It’s such a pleasure to be involved with an organisation that shares my passion for top quality family entertainment in the great British tradition of pantomime.”

Michael will continue to produce independently. His future shows include a national tour of Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Aspects of Love, starring David Essex, and a 2008 tour of Hot Flush!, which is enjoying great success on its current UK travels.

Michael takes up his role as Managing Director of the Pantomimes Division with immediate effect.

Paul Elliott, who has enjoyed a long relationship with Qdos, will continue in his role as Creative Consultant along with Jonathan Kiley who will remain as Casting Director for the Pantomimes Division.

The company’s 2007/08 season will see 19 productions staged throughout the UK, with star names including John Barrowman, Wendi Peters, Brian Conley, Danni Harmer, Joe Pasquale and David Essex.

15th June 2007

Star Name for Sunderland!

FFE have announced this morning that Hollywood Legend MICKEY ROONEY will be appearing as the Baron in Sunderland Empire's Cinderella.

Mickey Rooney needs no real introduction, but for those of you who'd like to read more about this amazing performer - check out his website www.mickeyrooney.com

6th June 2007

Spot The Name

Cadbury Panto Launch - But What Year?!

Here at IBY we recently came across this photograph from a Panto Launch a few years back- an E&B or QDOS launch. I can’t recall the exact year, and there are a few faces I can’t make out in this star-studded line-up. Perhaps you can?

Those we can spot we’ve listed below. If you want to see if you can do better, peel your eyes to the photograph, and check the listing afterwards! Happy Star Spotting!

Buster Merryfield, Chloe Newsome, Britt Ekland, Toby Anstis, Vicki Michelle,

Alan Stewart, Lionel Blair, Su Pollard, Sophie Lawrence

Bob Carolgees (and Spit The Dog!), John Inman, Sam Kane, Linda Lusardi

Gareth Hunt, John Altman and Danny La Rue.

Editors Entry! Dairy Milk, Roses, Selection Box...................

26th May 2007

Turn Again Whittington!!

Although early days, as the pantomime subjects begin to trickle into our diary section (updated regularly- so watch this space- several announcements are expected at the end of this month!) one thing has been worrying me- the demise of “Dick Whittington”.

With each passing year some subjects remain at the top of the “wish” list for theatres, and others begin to lag behind in popularity. Going back a  good few years you might have enjoyed “Goody Two Shoes”, “Robinson Crusoe”, “Sindbad”, “Little Red Riding Hood” or even “Humpty Dumpty”.

Then the Golden Goose lost its lustre, and subjects like “Mother Goose” began to get rarer, as in recent times has “Robin Hood & or Babes In The Wood” “Goldilocks” has all but vanished- when did you last see a professional production of “Puss In Boots?”

I sincerely hope that my thoughts on the demise of Master Whittington are premature and exaggerated- but his name seems to be appearing less and less with each passing year.

Pantomime is all about topicality and popular entertainment- by adapting and adopting the “Now” and the “New” it has managed not only to survive, but to thrive- and I know that what fades one minute will indeed return one day- “Sleeping Beauty” for example. At one point it had all but dropped out of the panto pop list- however, within a few brief years “Sleeping Beauty” has returned, and judging by box office figures, is proving to be as popular as before.

Fifteen years or so ago you would not have gone to see “Peter Pan- the Pantomime”, as it did not exist. The fiercely protected J. M. Barrie copyright prevented his eternal tale from being turned into a pantomime. Now, if you take a look at our Diary, it is well up in the top of the panto charts, along with perennial favourites (and money spinners) Cinderella and Aladdin.

“Snow White” is heading right for the top- it may even overtake the two “Big Boys”- and yet “Snow White” is our “baby” of a pantomime- others were born over two hundred years ago, the newcomer appeared as a direct result of Walt  Disney’s film , and appears very slowly as a pantomime from the mid 1950’s.

The Disney Factor:

It cannot be denied that the magical hand of Disney helps to keep a pantomime’s popularity. Children everywhere know the Disney version of a fairy tale from watching (over and over again) DVD’s and reading the associated picture story books. If Disney have made an animated film of your pantomime, it has Box Office appeal throughout the board.

Poor Dick Whittington. Disney has yet to tell his story. How can they have overlooked the potential? Rags to riches, a cute pussy cat, an evil be-whiskered villain? Cut to a tudor style Olde London Town Square- merry Londoners singing “Wot Cher!” and a cast of cute mice and evil rats to create a sub plot. And what is more- unlike most Fairy Stories, this one IS BRITISH, and (a little bit of it anyway..) IS REAL!! There really WAS a Richard Whittington. He has more pedigree than Robin Hood, our other British panto hero!

While touring with our Pantomime Roadshow over many years, Peter & I get the opportunity to promote pantomime and (hopefully) educate children all over the UK in the tradition and magic of British Pantomime. We also get the opportunity in Primary Schools to engage in a lively Q&A session in the second half. It is here that the root of the problem lies. The story of Dick Whittington seems to be missing from the  minds of school children today. They very often don’t know the story- not the panto story, we wouldn’t expect that- but the folk tale of Richard Whittington. They don’t seem to recognise the phrase “The streets weren’t paved with gold”- they don’t know the arch villain King Rat- or the “Turn again Whittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London” part. I think possibly in this DVD and Disney inspired age, his story is not being told.

Teachers- Pantomime Producers-Parents… let’s try and stop Dick Whittington sailing off alone on the “Saucy Sally”, and become collectively Fairy Bow-Bells- let’s raise his profile and cry “Turn Again Whittington!” loudly from Highgate Hill. If we do not, I fear that in about five years time the bells won’t be summoning him back to theatres all over the country!

If you have any thoughts, perhaps you’d care to e-mail them to us at info@its-behind-you.com.. Or leave a message on the message board. Perhaps Simon will be able to feature a few here in the Green Room  section. Let us know your thoughts on the fate of “Dick Whittington”.

Thanks!

Nigel

May  2007

1st May 2007

Here's one of the latest items on our Trading Places page:

Hackney Empire Theatre’s CINDERELLA SET AND COSTUMES FOR SALE OR HIRE

This beautiful Art Deco set with stunning and witty costume are up for sale or hire.

What the critics said….

Costumes that make Vivian Westwood like the wallflower of fashion - As gutsy as it is glittery   Time Out *****

The transformation scene is among the enchanting best I’ve seen…A gorgeous looking … dream on Mare Street Daily Telegraph

Superbly witty costumes by Lotte Collett  Sunday Times ****

DVD gallery

COSTUMES (AVI File - 4MB)   -    SET (AVI File - 15.8MB)

Management Enquiries only to  brian.wren@hackneyempire.co.uk

Requires Windows Media Player

23rd March 2007

Frank Seton 1918 - 2007

Frank Seton died on the twenty eighth of February aged 89.

In his many years as an actor in the theatre, television, film and pantomime Frank’s most  unexpected role was at the Tivoli Theatre Hull in 1954. Frank was understudy to Arthur Lucan “Old Mother Riley” in the Gaston and Andre touring pantomime “Old Mother Riley In Paris”.

In the company were Ellis Ashton, Jimmy Grant, Barry Gnome and Janet Karel. As Arthur Lucan was waiting for his entrance cue in the wings, he collapsed and died. The thirty six year old Frank Seton had the grim task of donning Mother Riley’s costume, and  continuing with the show. The audience were unaware of the dramatic scenes backstage.

The revue the following day, when the news of Lucan’s death were released said “Frank Seton took over the part of Old Mother Riley and acquitted himself so well that one comment from an old theatregoer was “A miracle”.

Frank himself told the local press  that “you can’t really take over a part like Old Mother Riley. It is entirely his own characterisation. You can’t just mimic him” Frank attended Arthur Lucan’s funeral representing British Actor’s Equity. The tour eventually ended, and Lucan’s estranged wife, Kitty McShane continued to tour “Old Mother Riley” with Roy Rolland.

Frank was trained at RADA, and began his career in repertory in Southampton. Shortly afterwards he joined the Old Vic Company in London in 1937. He opened in “Richard III” on 2^nd November playing the role of Captain Brandon. The prestigious cast included Emlyn Williams, Angela Baddeley, Alec Clunes and Andrew Cruickshank. It was produced by Tyrone Guthrie.

The same year he appeared at the New Theatre London in “Macbeth” The play opened on Christmas Eve 1937.. The title role was played by Laurence Olivier, with Judith Anderson as Lady Macbeth. Michel Saint-Denis was the producer. At the Old Vic that same week Vivienne Leigh and Ralph Richardson opened in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.

Frank appeared in “Coriolanus” at the Old Vic the following year. The cast included Sybil Thorndike and Laurence Olivier .

Frank’s first pantomime was in “Robinson Crusoe” in Cambridge, 1938. He appeared regularly in pantomime, and  forty two years after his pantomime debut I had the great pleasure of working alongside Frank in “Puss In Boots” at St. Albans. Frank played King  Cornelius, and Hilary O’Neil  was making her pantomime debut as “Colin”.

I spent many happy times in rehearsals, and backstage between shows talking to Frank about the pantomimes he had known, and  his career which moved effortlessly between classical theatre and Music Hall.

That year (1980) Frank had just appeared alongside Brian Murphy in “Soldier’s Fortune” at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith.

 A year or so later we were casting for “Dick Whittington” at the Kenneth More Theatre, and  knew that Frank would make a perfect Alderman Fitzwarren. Happily for us he accepted, and  played the part for our 1982 season.

That summer Frank appeared at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre productions of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Taming Of The Shrew”.

Over the years Frank Seton appeared in numerous television roles from” Dixon of Dock Green “, “No Hiding Place”, “A Tale Of Two Cities”, “Callan”, and several appearances in BBC’s “Dr.Who”. he played Falco in “The Chef’s Apprentice” in 1989.

A genuinely warm and witty man- a true gentleman, and an extremely talented and versatile artiste. It was a joy to have known you Frank.

Nigel Ellacott

17^th March 2007

8th March 2007

John Inman 1935 - 2007

John Inman star of pantomime and television sadly passed away today aged 71 (Thursday 8^th March ) at St. Mary’s hospital, Paddington after a long illness. John died shortly after 4am this morning. He had been ill for several years, and was unable to perform in pantomime in recent years.

John Inman was possibly the finest Pantomime Dame of the past few decades. His appearances whether at the London Palladium (as Nurse Wanda in “Babes In The Wood”) or at the Victoria Palace (as Mother Goose) or in the provinces were guaranteed to be sell-out runs. In his skilful hands the audiences were treated to the joy of pantomime led by a master of his trade.

His agent, Phil Dale said today “He was one of the best and finest pantomime dames working to capacity audiences throughout Britain”

Paul Elliott said this to IBY this morning:

I first worked with John Inman in 1960 when I was a stage manager. Through the years as I moved into the producing side of the theatre  I did many shows with him including seasons in Australia and Canada-.from "Pajama Tops " to "Why Not Stay For Breakfast"-.and of course many Pantomimes throughout the UK.

John was great fun to work with: a great pro who always knew how to deliver a funny line. I said to him once that every young actor should be made to come and see him work...it would teach them more about comedy and technique than 3 years in drama school!! He was a master of his craft

When I was writing my play "There's No Place Like A Home" I had finished the first Act and had written a leading part for John-I was quite pleased with it so sent him the first draft . He called me a few days later and said " Well love....I think you had better write Act 2 ...I think it's funny..." ...This I did and we talked about the play and it was  [and always will be ]  "John's part". He came to the reading at the Prince of Wales Theatre but unfortunately was never fit enough to do the play when we did it last year [with the wonderful Gorden Kaye playing 'John's part'

The play is being produced again this year and I have written in the title page "Dedicated to John Inman, a master of comedy and a lovely man"

John had been a stage and pantomime performer long before his rise to fame in “Are You Being Served”. For eight years he and his stage partner Barry Howard appeared as Ugly Sisters in panto across the country, and were acknowledged as the finest in the roles. They recreated a moment of their stage double act on an appearance for BBC Televisions “The Good Old Days” when they both appeared as buxom Principal Boys of the “Old School” in an hilarious spot.

Born in Blackpool (but raised in Preston) John began his stage career at the age of 13 playing the role of Tony in “Freda” on Blackpool’s South Pier. He received Five Pounds wages.

He made his West End Debut in “Ann Veronica” at the Cambridge Theatre , and toured (with Barry Howard) in “Salad Days”. Together with Barry he appeared in comedies such as “Boeing Boeing”, and continued his solo career with  a seventeen month run at The Windmill Theatre, at The Adelphi Theatre as Fancourt Babberley in “Charlie’s Aunt” and tours of “My Fat Friend” , “Bedside Manners”, “Pajama Tops” and Summer Seasons and of course, over forty pantomimes.

In 1972 John was asked by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft to join the “Are You Being Served” team at the BBC. The part created for him became an overnight success, not just in this country but in America and Australia. In fact, when Australian Television recreated the series with an Australian cast years later, John was asked to recreate his role as Mr Humphries. His Catch-phrase “I’m Free” was to remain with him forever.

In 69 episodes between 1972 and 1985 John appeared as Wilberforce Claybourne Humphries in the men’s department of Grace Brothers store, alongside Molly Sugden, Wendy Richard, frank Thornton and Trevor Bannister. Many times the plot would  be convoluted to allow John to appear in a more outrageous outfit than the week before, and often allowing him the opportunity to appear in disguise as a fur clad lady customer or  ever more outlandish costumic creations.

During this period John also appeared in several TV sit-coms. He played Neville Surdiffe in “Odd Man Out” in 1977, and appeared with Rula Lenska in “Take A Letter Please Mr. Jones” as Graham Jones in 1981.

The Success of “Are You Being Served” led to its follow up “Grace and Favour” in 1992, with the staff of “Grace Brothers” inheriting a farm and Hotel in the countryside.

In 1976 John was awarded the title of “Funniest Man on Television” by the readers of a TV Magazine, and the BBC Personality Of The Year, he was the subject of “This Is Your Life” in  the same year. He made several appearances in “The Good Old Days” recreating the act of his hero, Frank Randle in an uncanny impersonation.

He appeared in six Royal Variety shows, and was a dedicated worker for various charitable organisations. He was King Rat of the Grand Order of Water Rats, and in 2002 became President of the Heritage Foundation.

Above all in the world of Pantomime John will be remembered for the Dame roles he made his own. As Mother Goose he was able to bring tears of laughter to his audiences one moment, and then, in the pathos scenes with his beloved Goose- Barbara Newman- he would make them weep as he pretended to reject “Priscilla”  to ease her departure from his farm. He excelled as Nurse Wanda in “Babes In The Wood”, and created an unforgettable  Widow Twankey in “Aladdin”.

John’s amazing costumes and wigs were more often than not created by himself. It was John and Barry who introduced Peter and me to the world of “hard” wigs- John had worked as a window dresser in his early years, and was one of the first to realise the potential in “Mannequin” type wigs. He created headdresses that got larger and taller- chandeliers, birdcages and ships, and would supply them to the “wig Factory” to be set into the wigs for finales and transformation scenes. Above all he carried with him a strong sense of tradition- a respect for “what has gone before” in pantomime, and his dame was at all times truly believable and honest.

Pantoland is truly going to miss John Inman. From Simon, Peter and myself our sincere condolences to John’s partner Ron, and to John’s family and friends.

Nigel Ellacott - 8th March 2007

Our many readers and contributors, many of them pantomime professionals with memories of John, have been adding memories to our message board. A few examples of messages left are below - feel free to add your memories of John on the message board and we will try and compile a fuller listing here at a later date.

Another star taken from us
To shine down from above
Our thoughts and Prayers
go to John with Love

Another Panto dressing room is empty
Another Great Dame has gone
Thanks for all the memories John
Thanks for all the fun

Some where in heaven in eyelashes
Tripping around with Glee
Telling Cherubims and Angels
in no uncertain terms I'M FREE

God Bless John

24th February 2007

The Dame Name Game!

Recently I was presented with a framed photograph from David Hartshorne, containing many Pantomime Dames. Identifying the face behind the make-up is never easy, especially on a photo containing over forty  faces!

I’d got to the point of recognising about a third, when, on closer inspection the back of the photo (hidden by the frame) contained quite a few names. However- these were obviously given to the photographer verbally, and a few names are “sound alikes”- i.e “Sandy Bridges”. (Alexander Bridge!) and “Pete Prayson” (for Peter Dayson!).

One thing that puzzled Peter and myself was our apparent presence there, dressed as Carmen Mirandas- right at the back (far right). Was it us? Had we both forgotten doing this shoot? Blowing the image up on the screen proved we hadn’t lost the marbles. It’s Jackie Clarke and Barry Gosney wearing the frocks we lent them for their debut as Ugly Sisters that year!

Here’s the photograph, taken in 1989. Here at IBY we’re wondering how many you can name- and indeed, were you one of the dames photographed on December 4^th 1989 – probably at a Hotel in Victoria London?

Have fun. See how many you can identify!

• Here’s a list of names as given on the back of the photograph, along with a few added by Nigel. Several of the names are incorrectly spelled, so corrections to these are most welcomed by e-mail to: info@its-behind-you.com

THE NAMES: (Allegedly!)

Roy Alvis, Joey (?) Black, Alexander Bridge, Douglas (Bloomer?), Christopher Biggins, George Callender , Ronnie Corbett, Raymond Cleeve (?), Colin Deveraux (Dockyard Doris), Jackie Clarke, Seb Craig, Peter Dayson, Ceri Dupree, Vince Gardner, Kinny Gardner, Barry Gosney, Brian Godfrey, Kenny Gibson, Leon Green, Brian Gowell (?), Paul Harris, Bobbie Howie (?), Peter John, Roy Kean, Des King, Bobby Kent, Keith Morris (?),Rustie Lee,  Stevie Mark, Simon Parkes, Gordon Peters,  David Quinell, Iain Sanderson, Peter Thorne,  Earl Tobias, David Wareham, Richard Westcott,  Nikki Young.

Missing from the list but identified (I think) by myself are Paul Laidlaw (left 2^nd row end)

And David Moreton (top balcony 5^th from left) Dave Lynn ( on the top balcony I believe?) Ronnie Corbett is credited- is that him in red 3^rd row centre with a target?

Enjoy the game!

*Nigel’s spots:

 Front Row Left to Right: Peter Thorne (Extreme Left). Seb Craig (3rd from left) Peter John (5th from left).

Second Row Left To Right: Paul Laidlaw (Extreme left) Alexander Bridge (leaning on Pillar) Rusty Lee (Centre) Christopher Biggins, Peter Dayson (2^nd from right).

Fourth Row: Colin Deveraux Centre Right).

Staircase Left: Roy Kean (Top)

Staircase Right: Bobby Kent (Top)

Balcony Left To Right: Brian Godfrey (?) David Moreton (4^th & 5^th ) Kinny Garner, (6^th) Dave Lynn (8^th) Jackie Clarke & Barry Gosney (Extreme Right).

MORE INFORMATION

From Richard Frost

I can't find Ronnie Corbett unless he's top left of photo in polka dots and glasses. I do know that the dame in red with the target, in the centre of the photo, is JOE BLACK who for many years played Ugly Sister with Freddie Sales for Delfont's and was last seen as a member of the Crazy Gang in London in "Underneath the Arches" with Roy Hudd and Chris Timothy at the Prince of Wales.
 

10th February 2007

The Qdos Pantomime Party 2006/7 at THE IVY

On the day that most of the country suffered heavy snowfalls, despite train stoppages and disruption to the roads, a brave and intrepid gathering of people from Pantoland descended on the prestigious Ivy Restaurant  in London’s West End!

Hosted by Qdos, the party was to celebrate surviving yet another panto season- producers, Directors, theatre management and artistes alike!

Greeted at the door by Nick Thomas, Jonathan Kiley and Jon Conway, the guests were liberally plied with champagne and a selection of the Ivy’s dishes served as a buffet. No snow or freezing temperatures would stop actors from getting near free food and drink, and of all the pantomimes the Birmingham Hippodrome had the best cast turn-out!  Jody Crosier, Shobna Gulati, Sean Needham, and Michelle Potter joined Nigel and Peter at the bash - sadly Brian Conley was not able to come (he’d literally just arrived back from entertaining on the P&O liner in South America). Shobna had only just arrived back from Pakistan (She’s been filming a documentary) and Dawson Chance sent his apologies from his home in Spain.

We were joined by Paul Elliott and Michael Harrison, and a host of theatre managements from around the UK- including the bosses of Aberdeen, Bradford, High Wycombe, St.Albans, Hull and their representatives.

Great to meet up again with Sophie Lawrence, Kathryn Rooney and Maurice Thorougood, and delighted to run into Alan Stewart. Kathryn has literally just finished the long run at Wolverhampton. The rest of us have had a week or so to catch up on life outside of the dressing room!

Kathryn Rooney - Asleep until next year!

The champagne flowed, as did the conversation. It is such a rare event fr all of us in this world of panto to get together- generally we’re all working at the same time. Thanks to Qdos we were able to chat and compare runs, and catch up with old friends. Peter and I were there at “chucking out” time- around 5pm (we’d arrived at 12.30pm!) and everyone leaving was presented with a beautifully wrapped inscribed gift by Sharon Kiel.

Thanks Nick and Jon and everyone at Qdos- we had a great time, and  the party was very much appreciated by one and all!

(l to r) Michelle Potter, Nigel, Sean Needham, Jody Crosier / Michelle, Nigel, Peter, Sean / Peter, Allan Stewart, Nigel

The Executive Producers of Qdos Entertainment (Paul Elliot, Jonathan Kiley, with Michael Harrison and Jon Conway ) with Nick Thomas (middle), Charlotte Gooch (L) and Chris Stanton (R)

(l to r) Charlotte Gooch, Nick Thomas, Michelle Potter, Chairs Stanton / Lewis Griffiths, Kathryn Rooney, Allan Stewart / Qdos’ Nicole Dukeman and Sharon Harding with Sid Owen

Toy Theatres - it's never too early to buy Christmas Presents!!

The Toy Theatre is of 'The Palace Theatre' Leicester, built in 1901 and demolished 1960. It was designed by the eminent Victoria Theatre architect Frank Matcham for Sir Oswald Stoll and was of 'Moorish' design. I have drawn and hand painted it from actual auditorium photographs.

THE TOY THEATRE

is supplied all on one sheet, from which the purchaser cuts out and adheres to card and makes up into a toy theatre from Instruction supplied with the sheet. Also supplied is a brief history of the Palace Theatre Leicester detailing the famous artistes who appeared there.

SIZES

The sheet size is 70cms by 50cms

Contains the Proscenium - Eastern Act Drop Curtain- one set of curtain Border and wings.

The Theatre Proscenium size is 40cms by 50cms Proscenium Opening is 22cms wide by 18cms high.

PRICE DETAILS

The one sheet price is £5.00 Sterling

UK Postage and packing extra £2.00 Sterling Delivery Immediate ex stock.

PAYMENT

cheques payable to 'Mr D. Garratt'

ORDERS AND FURTHER INFORMATION email dgarratt41@hotmail.com and remember to mention the site!

30th December 2005

Last night Nigel and Peter appeared 'live' from Newcastle! Linking up with the studio in London, they answered questions about the history of pantomime and how it's survived through the ages. Peter even managed to pull his dress up to demonstrate why ladies didn't play dames. About half an hour after the boys left, Nick Higham did a short article on pantomime using loads of graphics from the site and even featuring the front page in the background. Very informative and nice once again to prove that we are 'the' source of pantomime on the internet!!

15th November 2005

Is panto cool? Oh yes it is!

A great article from www.whatsonstage.com

In Sir Ian McKellen’s wake, the traditional Christmas pantomime is now cool & credible for top-notch actors, writers, directors & producers. Roger Foss explains why.

http://www.whatsonstage.com/dl/page.php?page=greenroom&story=E8821131726372

14th April 2004

Charles Wilhelm Costume Designs - A treasure trove!

The full story - so far!! UPDATED

17th December 2003

THE Pantomime Source on the Internet!!

Whilst we don't like to blow our own trumpet, it's nice sometimes to at least prove that we have a trumpet to blow!! We are constantly providing information, interviews and pictures to Television companies, newspapers, magazines and the like - today we were being featured in the BBC programme 'Working Lunch'. If you want to read the article, check out the link below - it also has a video report from the BBC reporter Rob Pittam 'The business of panto can be as tough as any industry'.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/working_lunch/3327277.stm

7th December 2003

BBC Legacies

The BBC has a new website for local history, BBC Legacies. The site covers the whole of the UK, with features for each region on a different theme every two months. This month the theme is "Local Legends", and for London the article is about the truth behind the legend of Dick Whittington.

Here is a link to the pages: http://www.bbc.co.uk/legacies/myths_legends/england/london/index.shtml

14th December 2002

Collect It Magazine - January 2003 Issue - Panto Feature!

Available from all good newsagents - priced £3!!

7th December 2002

Newspaper Articles featuring Pantomime and www.its-behind-you.com

The Sun 3rd December 2002

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,5-2002560346,00.html

27th May 2002

Jack Stanley - Panto Pictures from a Scrapbook - Another Mystery!

Recently we acquired a collection of pantomime photographs, mostly dating from the mid 1930’s to the mid 1950’s.The origin of these are unknown, but they may possibly have been part of a scrapbook belonging to a Jack Stanley, pantomime artiste.

Please have a look at the article and if you know any further information - please contact us on info@its-behind-you.com

12th December 2001

Newspaper Articles featuring Pantomime and www.its-behind-you.com

The Guardian - 5th December 2001

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/story/0,3604,612124,00.html

Oh no, it isn't. Oh yes, it is!

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,322-2001564225,00.html

Pantos bring a smile to glum theatreland

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,2-2001565400,00.html

11th January 2001

Read All About it ! More Pantomime Stories from the National Press

Reuters/Yahoo - http://uk.news.yahoo.com/010107/80/auvxd.html

The Times - http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,277-50809,00.html

 The Guardian - http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4109972,00.html

The Independent - http://www.independent.co.uk/enjoyment/Theatre/Theatre/2000-12/panto101200.shtml

30th December 2000

CNN Europe - Article on Pantomime

Featuring an interview with Nigel Ellacott and Peter Robbins, plus many of the pictures from I