Panto uproar in Bristol

[Princeton Returns]

The Bristol Hippadrome seems to be getting a bit of a backlash on social media from theatregoers who had booked to see Aladdin this year. The cast has Andy Ford (for the 4th year I believe) with Carol McGiffin from Loose Women and a former Big Brother winner. I have to say, I see where they are coming from, it is underwhelming casting for such a major venue. Yes you pay to see the show, but a large part of panto (especially these days at those prices) are the cast. Id be disappointed too if it were my local theatre

[peggyb2]

Oh don't say that Princeton!My little treasure is understudying a big name(plus two other leads)in panto.Should he have to go on I don't want the audience throwing things because they are disappointed!
If whatshisname is on for the fourth year surely people must like him?

[devonian.t]

Across the country panto is starting to retain "local favourites". Dames also seem to be taking up residence in one town, eg Bath.

[MusicalBoy]

I'm still not sure I *get* panto...

Sounds like people should wait to see who's cast before buying tickets or relinquish the right to complain, though.

[Posner11]

It was released this week that the street dance troupe Flawless will be staring in this years Panto at the hippo which a pretty good catch for the theatre and should quiet down the apparant fuss about cast - The Panto in nearby Bath has been sticking with Dame Chris Harris for several years (after nabbing him from the Bristol old vic) and a local TV star Jon Monie and seems to do pretty well each year - The Hippo Panto run seems very short this year and they may have felt that most families have gone for the Lion King as the special Theatre trip this year and wont be spending money on the Panto as well and so are going with a lower key run and casting for the Panto.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Yes, the problem is, this years panto is sandwiched between both The Lion King and Oliver. Unfortunate programming in some ways.

[abitoftap]

In Norwich we've had(and still have) Richard Gauntlet (as dame)for several years.He writes them(and I think others too).
Before that Desmond Barritt was Dame for 5 or 6 years.
I don't think the "stars" make much difference,particularly as they're usually from Hollyoaks or Emmerdale and I've never heard of them!

[Princeton Returns]

but do bath and smaller venues charge the higher prices that FFE charge for their pantos? (i dont know, just asking) i guess its all part of perceived value. and yes that is unfortunate programming in Bristol

[SoonerOrLater]

Ceri Dupree has also taken up residence as the Dame in Cardiff for the last few years.

Also some venues are holding on to their 'main attraction' for better or worse (Glasgow is holding firmly onto John Barrowman and the Crankies)

But that is a lackluster panto cast for a venue like Bristol, especially when competing with the musicals around there this year.

Could be worse-Newport has Chico in theirs....

[SoonerOrLater]

Ceri Dupree has also taken up residence as the Dame in Cardiff for the last few years.

Also some venues are holding on to their 'main attraction' for better or worse (Glasgow is holding firmly onto John Barrowman and the Crankies)

But that is a lackluster panto cast for a venue like Bristol, especially when competing with the musicals around there this year.

Could be worse-Newport has Chico in theirs....

[BWF]

http://www.owen-money.com/panto.asp

Owen Money @ Cwmbran it is, then:)

There's no way I would pay good money to see Carol McGiffin in a Pantomime.

[centerstage!]

lets just clarify something to what 'soonerorlater' just wrote....

Chico, is in SWANSEA this year.. with a fantastic cast, its actually going to be a very spectacular panto being the 100th at the theatre.

Thankyou

[Princeton Returns]

personally id rather see chico

[SoonerOrLater]

Sorry! I was misinformed as to Chico's location then...

Seriously I do apologise if I offended, I'm sure the cast (which I assume you are a part of) is a talented and hardworking as any of the casts working around the country this time of year. I'm afraid Chico isn't my personal cup of tea (though I'm sure he's a lovely man)

[sam31]

I just like to say that I am lucky as I lived inbetween or near The Basingstoke Anvil,New Victoria Theatre Woking,Richmond Theatre Southampton Mayflower and New Wimbledon Theatre. Southampton is the best by far each year for panto. This year the Southampton Mayflower is doing Jack and the Beanstalk and the cast is
Julian Clary
Lee Mead
Nigel Haver
Paul Zerdin
Jeffrey Holland
So I will be going to panto at the Southampton Mayflower.

[Princeton Returns]

sam ima big fan of the mayflower but it isnt always the best place. in fact their christmas shows during the split from qdos have been average to at times just plain bad. i do think they are back on track this year tho