A good teacher, like a good entertainer first must hold his audience's attention, then he can teach his lesson.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johnhenrik212006.html#KIHSwDWcUbvXZIg2.99
"A good teacher, first like an entertainer must hold his audience's attention, then he can teach his lesson." {John Henrik Clarke} Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johnhenrik212006.html#KIHSwDWcUbvXZIg2.99
Having made it back to Lewisham Monday night, the past few days have all been about relaxing and making the most of the time off before heading back to work! On Tuesday I paid another visit to the V&A's panto archive and flicked through a few more gag books trying to quell the withdrawal symptoms and on Wednesday I chilled out at home, playing a game and watching some TV whilst I waited for Sandy to finish work, before making the drive up to the Midlands!
All season there have been two shows I was really looking forward to seeing, "Sleeping Beauty" at the Wolverhampton Grand and "Snow White" at the Brum Hippodrome. And now the time had finally arrived!
First of all it was Wolvo, and after stopping off at my nan and grandads for a requested stew and dumplings (it's my fave) followed by rice pudding (both home-made) we set off with N&G. Me and Sandy always get them a ticket for Christmas, as they really enjoy it and it's a great night out. I've always gone to Panto with my nan... usually via coach on a trip from the local residents association where they live, gobbling our packed sarnies and sweets on the way. Today however we're much more civilised and instead throw down wine or G&T's!
Joe Pasquale was playing Muddles and this was the last leg of the 5 or 6 year tour for the production. I've never seen Jow in panto before, but being a fan of his since receiving his "Live and Squeaky" video one Christmas as a youngster, I was eager to see him this year. He'd been cheeky, naughty and hilarious in Spamalot, pre season, so I was looking forward to a few pointers. What would follow wouldn't disappoint.
The show was very funny, and Pasquale was on form with lots of energy and madcap gags and slapstick. The use of a leaf blower and attached toilet roll was a joy and I'm sure that will be cropping up in other pantos over the next couple of years! If they can afford the modifications of course.
During the interval we all agreed how much we were enjoying it and were happily chatting away when I got a tap on the shoulder. "I'd heard you were in this evening Mr Brook!" It was the lovely Martin hope, who was company manager on my first YAT panto. "Would you like to come and meet Joe after the show!?" 'OMG' (as all the kids say - it's Oh My God for my older readers) YES!!!
The panto was a triumph and although a shining example of the Qdos Panto machine, it showcased some great talent and some lovely moments. Afterwards I met with Martin and headed backstage where we were greeted by Joe, now changing for the aftershow party. "Ah you must be Jamie!" obviously Joe has just been working with Bonnie in Spamalot and Dancing on Ice, so Martin must have mentioned the link. He was great and gave me a few tips and words of encouragement, before telling me (I explained I was off to Brum the following day) to "send my love to the boys!" refering to some of the Brum cast... unfortunately I'm not yet as well connected as he assumed - but it was nice to think I gave off that impression.
So thanks to Joe for taking the time to see me. Thanks to Martin for setting it up and thanks to Royston, my grandad for triggering it all off. We were getting our programme before the show, when my grandad announced to the lady behind the till, "He's just finished panto! He was Buttons in Guildford!!" Now I have to admit I went a little red... but this moment of pride from Roy of the Rovers led to the meeting, so it was worth my initial blushes! Tar Pal!
I must mention how wonderful I though Ceri Dupree was as Dame! He had an elegance and true command of the audience, not too dissimilar to Danny La Rue, from whom he had obviously taken inspiration (actually wearing one of his auctioned dresses in one scene). He looked great, interacted well and with real wit and met all the criteria of a Dame perfectly! He is someone I'd travel to see in future.
We move to Friday and in Birmingham, after the regular nightmare of navigating the road system and parking of Brum, we were sat in the Hippodrome, waiting for the most anticipated panto of the season, in Qdos' premiere venue, with a production that has received so much coverage due to the list f stars gracing the stage and a TV documentary following the shows progress, and one of it's stars, Panto virgin, Gok Wan.
Gok, was joined by Paul Zerdin & Sam, Matt Slack as Odd Job, John Partridge and his Winning Dorothy Danielle Hope as the Prince and Snow White, with the wonderful Stephanie Beecham as the wicked Queen and GARY BLOODY WILMOT as (his first) Dame!! Expectations were high!
The Channel 4 documentary had painted a picture that wasn't necessarily favourable for Gok. It had looked weak and left many who spoke about the show afterwards if it was going to be a car crash. It wasn't! Although Gok isn't a natural panto actor (or mainly singer) he played his part! Being the man in the mirror, he quipped with Steph and roused the audience on every entrance. There were a lot of women there to see him and him alone! Whether he'll do it again is yet to be seen, but I think Qdos and safely say they got away with it.
As for the rest of the cast. Well... they were a match made in heaven! Stephanie was granted with such a dominate role, as I'd seen in Guildford, but she still owned the stage and played the villain perfectly, with a little added sauce for the dads. Partridge and Hope despite the age gap made a 'lovely' couple and I was really surprised with how Hope played Snow White. There was no sense of "reality star - dumped in to make money" so often seen, and she demonstrated a adept skill in panto acting - it is very particular, believe me! She wasn't patronising, didn't try to be funny and told the story well. I'd like to see her again too!
Wilmot was fabulous, and I was only disappointed he wasn't on stage for longer. I'm sure if he develops his Dame act, he'll be granted more and more stage time - especially in the smaller theatres where he'd be top of the bill. Why waste the talent and mastery!?! Paul Zerdin was on form as ever, but I do feel that he maybe needs to change his act up a little now. I've seen the the audience puppet mask and animatronic puppet routines numerous times now, and it's quite obvious whats coming, as both have been on TV. In fairness however, he was still very funny and demonstrated why he is top of his game!
But the star of this pantomime for me, and the one who I took away most from over the whole season was Matt Slack! I'd never seen him before, although PG had told me he was a great guy after working with him a few years ago in Woking, before he converted to the YAT! I'd love the chance to sit down and pick his brain... ask for a few more tips... and I think he would be a good bloke to just have a pint with too!
His act was so engaging, very easy to watch, without any awkwardness or cringey moments (this does happen sometimes with the older comic/younger heroine combo) and he is genuinely one of if not the funniest panto comic I've seen. Even Sandy, who's still quite new to the Panto world has said she'd happily travel to see him again! He has plenty of cheeky asides and rapport with the audience and was clearly enjoying his work. I took a lot away from that show, in particular his performance, and although I have a different style and look to Matt, there was plenty of material that I'd love to try... it's all been logged in my panto grey matter.
I saw a review describe this pantomime as an 80's variety show with a few lines of story. This is definitely not the case. Yes the show features some variety... but don't most pantomimes?! And for me it's a nice route for Qdos to be heading down... a theory that I will cover in my next and in fact final post of the season!
For now, Ta-tar
JB - BB
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