Panto-time

With Christmas fast approaching, Andrew Kay takes time to present a round-up of the very best seasonal entertainment this winter

Nothing brings out the inner child in us better than a pantomime or a Christmas show – and none of that ‘Oh no they don’t!’ nonsense; they most certainly do. So now we’ve put that behind us, forgive me, let’s take a look at the diverse range of Christmas entertainment on offer this year.

I’m a huge fan of a traditional pantomime. I like all the silly business, the dames and the kiddy dance troupes and transformations. I guess that panto was my first theatre experience (Tommy Steele in Humpty Dumpty, Liverpool Empire 1956), and that love has stayed with me. That said, I hate bad panto – luckily here we have some excellent theatres who pride themselves on offering up a first class family treat each year.

In Worthing, we have a choice of two great shows. At the Connaught Theatre the dish of the day is Aladdin, a feast of Oriental fun and games with magic carpet rides and genies in lamps; a perfect treat for all ages.

At the Pavilion Theatre you can enjoy a musical spectacular entitled Jack Frost’s Frozen Christmas, the sequel to Santa Claus the Musical. With live music, this is a perfect opportunity for a festive sing-a-long.

In Eastbourne, famous throughout the region for their much loved pantos, they are presenting Beauty and the Beast. With live music and comedy fun, stunning costumes and glittering sets, the show stars Carley Stenson as Malevolent. She is joined by Tucker and the South’s favourite Dame Martyn Knight, who once again returns due to phenomenal public demand.

In Brighton, the Theatre Royal has for the last few years focused on presenting a hit musical show, and to great effect. Catering for a different audience to the panto crowd, their diversification has given us Rocky Horror, Priscilla, Spamalot, and this year the West End hit One Man, Two Guvnors. Set as it is in Brighton, what could be more appropriate – a full-on romp of a comedy show with live music and songs.

For the adults, Brian Ralph is once again staging one of his outrageously camp and risque ‘alternative’ pantos. Lashings of double (and even treble) entendres, silliness, songs and sauce, The Magical Road to Oz is billed as not for the faint hearted – and you’d better believe it; raucous, riotous and ribald fun.

At The Old Market, all the family can enjoy a trip to Neverland in The Boy That Never Grew Up, a delightful performance with puppets, magic, music and fun. And The Hawth Theatre in Crawley are presenting a re-imagining of timeless favourite Sleeping Beauty, with TV personality Stephen Mulhern heading the cast.

Of course there are many other ways to have an entertaining Christmas; classes for kids and grown-ups, art fairs and Christmas fairs and streets and shop windows filled with lights. But don’t miss out. Book now if you want your Christmas to be a magical winter wonderland.

Theatre Royal

The perfect Christmas treat, One Man, Two Guvnors, the National Theatre’s award winning comedy, comes to Theatre Royal Brighton for a three week run this Christmas.

Nicholas Hytner’s five star production, which is set in Brighton in the 1960s, tells the hilarious story of Francis Henshall who, fired from his skiffle band, becomes minder to Roscoe Crabbe. But Roscoe is really Rachel, posing as her own dead brother – who’s been killed by her boyfriend Stanley Stubbers. Francis spots the chance of an extra meal ticket and takes a job with one Stanley Stubbers, but to prevent discovery, he must keep his two guvnors apart.

It has been described as a glorious celebration of British comedy – a unique, laugh-out-loud mix of satire, songs, slapstick and glittering one liners. Now seen by over one million people worldwide, this internationally acclaimed smash hit has been hailed as ‘the funniest show on the planet’ and a ‘comic classic’ by national critics.

Gavin Spokes takes on the central role of loveable chancer Francis Henshall, with Norman Pace as Charlie Clench. Emma Barton will play Dolly with Jasmyn Banks as Pauline Clench, Alicia Davies as Rachel Crabbe, Michael Dylan as Alfie, Derek Elroy as Lloyd Boateng, Edward Hancock as Alan Dangle and Patrick Warner as Stanley Stubbers.
To book tickets: www.atgtickets.com/brighton*
0844 871 7650* (*booking fee applies)

The Hawth

Following the massive success of last year’s panto Cinderella, popular TV presenter Stephen Mulhern returns to The Hawth in Crawley in the spectacular family pantomime Sleeping Beauty from 12 December.

Stephen, who is best known through Britain’s Got More Talent, Catchphrase, and regular appearances on Good Morning Britain, promises “a spectacular and hilarious show with lots of magic, illusions and comedy”.

Starring alongside Stephen are hilarious impressionist Hilary O’Neil, CBeebies favourite Cat Sandion and Josh James (2010 UK Eurovision entrant).

Expect a festive family treat – lots of glamour, romance, comedy, song, audience participation and stunning special effects. There’s even a fire-breathing dragon!

Tickets are available from The Hawth Box Office on 01293 553636 or from www.hawth.co.uk

Reviews from Cinderella 2013:
“Three cheers … breathtaking … fast, furious and fun for all the family.” Latest 7
“West End class … brilliant!” The Argus
“A wonderful production.” West Sussex County Times

Brian Ralfe at Brighton Dome

Welcome to our 14th year of the ‘alternative pantomime’! This being The Magical Road To Oz, starring Miss Jason as Dorothy and Lee (Cooee) as the Wicked Evil Witch of Brighthelmstone who, by the way, does not need make-up to play this part. Phil Harliqueen stars as a beautiful fairy, and Jason Lee as the Tin Man.

Wesley Sebastian stars as both The Wizard and Madam Mystic, Alan Jay as the Scarecrow, Chris Howard as Lenny the Lion, and Brian Ralfe as the Goffer.

The Magical Road To Oz is written by Andrew Starks and directed by Madam Lee Tracey, with musical direction by Mark Yarrow and stage management by Mike Medway.

This pantomime is not to be missed, follow the Yellow Brick Road!

Produce this advert at the Brighton Dome box office and tickets for 28/29 January at 5pm will be only £12 (not meal deal)01273 709709 / brightondome.org

Brighton Christmas Gift Faire Spectacular

With celebrity guests, thousands of exciting gift ideas, unique shopping zones, wine and food tasting, farm yard animals, amazing Santa’s Grotto, a nail bar, free kids’ funfair rides and live show performances all day!

Back for a second year, it’s the Brighton Christmas Gift Fair Spectacular on Saturday 15 November.
Bring your Christmas wishlist, as this year is one to beat with handmade craft zones in the Grandstand Hall and Premier Hall, welcoming over 130 stands. Plus an exciting outdoor Christmas market showcasing more gift and food stands, free kids’ funfair rides, a live nativity and slides.

Shop for Christmas decorations, festive food and drink, stunning jewellery, ceramics, glassware, interior and home accessories, contemporary designs, beauty and fashion, vintage gifts, handmade crafts, traditional toys, children’s gifts, gardening gifts, gadgets and lots more! Don’t miss the show performances, musicians, special guests and show co-hosts David Van Day and Sue Moxley, and choir singers including the Rock Choir with 40 singers, all live on stage. Plus we’re giving away free prizes and 400 goodie bags to early visitors. There’s something for everyone at the Brighton Christmas Gift Fair Spectacular!

www.brightonchristmasfair.co.uk

The Theatre Workshop

The Theatre Workshop is a multi-award winning independent Performing Arts school for young people aged 6-20 in Brighton. The schools offer an opportunity for access to excellence in performing arts for the South East’s most exciting young talent. The schools, established over 11 years ago, have launched the careers of many young actors. The growing list of celebrity alumni who have trained at the school include Britain’s Got Talent winner Richard Hadfield from band Collabro, Soap Star Hetti Bywater, film stars Rosie Taylor Ritson (Nanny McPhee) and Jonathan Raggett (The Lady), regular CBBC faces Oscar Lloyd (4 O’Clock Club), Madeline Holliday (Hank Zipzer), Amy Leigh Hickman (The Dumping Ground), and Toby Murray (Dani’s Castle) as well as Game of Thrones actor Brenock O’Connor.

Young actor Oscar Lloyd commented; “Without The Theatre Workshop I wouldn’t be where I am today!”
On top of weekly triple threat training, The Theatre Workshop also offer an abundance of extra opportunities. These include Dance Academy, where students can gain ISTD grades in Ballet and Tap, Performance Choir that offers promising singers the opportunity to perform publicly across the country, and GCSE Drama as well as the chance to audition for Hungry Wolf VYT, fast becoming one of the UK’s most exciting youth theatre companies. “I just laughed till I peed myself! ‘The Electra Project’ by Hungry Wolf is now officially one of my favourite things ever. Genius!” said BAFTA member Rikki Beadle Blair.

Students can also take private lessons in singing and drama, gaining qualifications and the chance to compete at local festivals, and that’s not all; The Theatre Workshop work closely with one of the UK’s leading young persons agency, offering students the chance to gain professional representation for work on stage and screen. However, professional opportunities are not just limited to those on the agency – The Theatre Workshop have provided children for many of the country’s top UK theatre tours, including Joseph, Evita, Annie Get Your Gun, and numerous operas
at some of Sussex’s premier theatre venues.

With schools fully staffed by inspiring professionals located across East and West Sussex, The Theatre Workshop offers a free trial session for all budding performers.

Please visit thetheatreworkshop.com or call 01273 733736 to book a trial.

Eastbourne Theatre

Eastbourne’s stunning pantomime for 2014 is the family favourite Beauty and the Beast, at the Devonshire Park Theatre from 12 December until 11 January. With a cast of pure talent and plenty of magical surprises in store, it is sure to be the highlight of the season!

Eastbourne favourites Martyn Knight and Tucker return to cause more chaos and calamity with Hollyoaks star Carley Stenson, fresh from her West End roles in Spamalot, Legally Blonde and Shrek, making her Eastbourne debut as Malevolent.

Our heroine, Belle (Emily Bull), is set to go on a journey of love and adventure which will prove that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. Imprisoned in an enchanted chateau by a hideous looking beast, her only friends are Dame Derriere (Martyn Knight) and the hapless Potty Pierre (Tucker), but what has happened to the handsome prince? Will the wicked enchantress’ spell be broken before the last rose petal falls?

Eastbourne’s pantomimes are famed for giving audiences a true live theatre experience, with a full band, beautiful costumes designed and created especially for the show, and of course lots of magical onstage effects. And with ticket prices that are far from beastly, priced from just £12, this is pantomime for everyone to enjoy.

Pantomime director and writer Chris Jordan said: “We are so excited to be bringing this magical tale back to life at the Devonshire Park this winter. So much preparation and hard work goes into turning this classic fairy tale into a pantomime. The team have been hard at work already looking at new costume designs, drawing up lists of props that are going to be needed, and of course, the sets.

“We are delighted to be presenting another Eastbourne Theatre spectacular, and if you saw last year’s record-breaking Aladdin, we promise you this show will be even better. We hope you bring your family to meet ours and be our guest at this stunning pant!”

Beauty and the Beast at the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne, runs from 12 Dec until 11 Jan. Tickets £12-£20 (concessions available), to book or for more info call the box office on 01323 412000 or visit www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk

The Old Market, Hove

Following the huge success of ‘charming panto-alternative’ Pinocchio in 2013, for 2014 The Old Market has commissioned a brand new imagining of family favourite, Peter Pan. It’s called The Boy Who Never Grew Up; a story told with live music, puppetry and, above all, imagination.

The Boy Who Never Grew Up features scenes you’ll know and love from JM Barrie’s classic book – Peter befriending the Indians, scaling a mountain and outwitting Captain Hook – but there are also adventures of your own to be had. This is a show for anyone who wishes to never ever grow up!

The Boy Who Never Grew Up is created and performed by acclaimed theatre makers Amelia Bird and Philippa Herrick. “Having toured several children’s shows to Brighton, we know what fun, creative families live in the area,” says Amelia. “Making the show is proving to be a lot of fun and we’ve got some great adventures shaping up!”

Best of all, tickets for The Boy Who Never Grew Up are extremely reasonable, and if you can round up a group of six or more, they’re just £6 each. It’s ideal for ages 4+, so bring the family for a post-Christmas treat.

The Old Market, 28 Dec – 2 Jan (not 1 Jan), 11am & 2pm, £6-8
01273 201801 / www.theoldmarket.com