Have a Pantotastic Time in Am Dram Land this Yuletide!
Not only is it the festive season again, but today, December 13, is National Pantomime Day! All across the region, amateur performers are enjoying taking part in this very unique and very British tradition.
I really think we Brits are the only people in the world who understand panto. I mean, come on, a man dressed as a woman, a woman dressed as a man, two people dressed as an animal and a host of ghosts and giant spiders, fairy dust and fancy frocks, slapstick and pop songs, obviously this is serious theatre!
But there is not just panto to choose from this yuletide.
Shrewsbury Musical Theatre Company is presenting the stage adaptation of my favourite Christmas movie, “Nativity the Musical” at the Barnes Theatre at Shrewsbury School, from December 18-22.
Every child in every school has one Christmas wish; to star in a Nativity play, and at St Bernadette’s Primary School the long suffering teacher, Mr Maddens, is attempting to present a musical version!
There is a slight snag however as he has promised that a Hollywood producer is coming to see the show to turn it into a film!
Join Mr Maddens and his teaching assistant the loveable Mr Poppy, his class of hilarious children and a whole lot of sparkle and shine as they struggle to make everyone’s Christmas wish come true.
The songs from “Nativity the Musical” are just delightful and include “Sparkle and Shine”, “Nazareth”, “One Night One Moment”, “She’s the Brightest Star” and a whole host of new songs written specifically for the show.
In this production, Ryan O’Mahony appears as Mr Maddens, Olly Derham is Mr Poppy, Indy Chakraborty is Gordon Shakespeare and Stacey Taras is Jennifer.
There are no less than 42 children in the show, who are pupils from schools across Shropshire, including Thomas Telford, Lawley Primary, Oakmeadow Primary and The Corbet School.
So if you are feeling a little “bah humbug” and need something to put you in the mood for Christmas, this is the show for you!
For tickets, visit ticketsource.co.uk/shrewsmusicals
Meanwhile in pantoland, Stourbridge Pantomime Company, who always put on a great show, are in rehearsals for “Sleeping Beauty” which they will present from January 18-25 at Stourbridge Town Hall.
The group is raising funds for Acorns Children’s Hospice this year, so a very worthy cause.
Visit stourbridgepanto.co.uk and scan the QR code, or email spcboxofficetickets@gmail.com for tickets.
From now until December 22, you can catch “Dick Whittington” at Walsall Arena and Arts Centre.
The cast invite you to join them for a whirlwind, globe-trotting adventure that will see Dick, and his ever trusty cat, battling the evil plans of the rotten rotter, Royal Rat.
With the help of love interest Alice Fitzwaren, the legendary ship’s cook Dame Fanny Haddock and all their fabulous friends, can Dick vanquish the vermin and become Lord Mayor of a medium-sized town in the Midlands? Pop along and see for yourselves!
For tickets, visit walsallarena.com or call the box office on 0300 555 2898.
In Shropshire, at The Little Theatre, Donnington, they are presenting a panto version of “Rapunzel” from January 25-February 1.
I have to admit I have never seen “Rapunzel” as a pantomime, so it will be interesting.
Tickets are just £8 each with a family ticket available at £30. Visit www.thelittletheatredonnington.co.uk or call 01952 407959 to book.
The resident group at Oldbury Rep has chosen to perform “The Wizard of Oz” as their annual pantomime this year.
With the new movie version of “Wicked” just out in cinemas, L. Frank Baum’s unusual stories are everywhere at the moment so I am sure we are all familiar with them, but just in case, Dorothy and her little dog, Toto, dream of travelling to a place where troubles melt like lemon drops over the rainbow. Her wish is granted courtesy of a terrible twister which takes her far away to the magical land of Oz where the beautiful good witch Glinda sends her off down the yellow brick road to the Emerald City.
But hot on her ruby heels is the Wicked Witch of the West who is bent on taking over the colourful kingdom. Will Dorothy have the brains, heart, and courage to save all of Oz and find her way home? Find out in this ‘wicked’ and wonderful pantomime!
The panto runs from 10-18 January. For tickets, visit https://oldburyrep.org or call 0121 552 2761.
Cinderella is another very traditional pantomime being performed this wintertime.
The Tamworth Pantomime Company will be presenting the show at the Tamworth Assembly Rooms on January 7.Join Cinderella and her best friend Buttons as she goes from rags to riches, and outwits her ugly sisters to find her Prince Charming. The show promises to be packed with all the traditional panto ingredients including hilarious comedy, magic and songs a plenty and don’t forget to boo and hiss!
For tickets, visit tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk or call 01827 709618 to book.
Well, this year seems to have sped by. I will be back in the New Year, so please email me all your news and good quality colour photos to a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk, or follow me on Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram. I am always happy to hear from you.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and for those of you who are performing over the festive period, break a leg!
