Panto time – and here’s the show lowdown on what’s on in Devon and beyond. We take a look at some of the best tickets and talk to celebrities who are about to dress up and step out on stages to entertain families across the county.
As the biggest theatre in the Westcountry, the Theatre Royal Plymouth offers a suitably glorious, star-studded panto. Lesley Joseph is Queen Dragonella, Rob Rinder is The Man in the Mirror, local comedy legend Andy Ford is Muddles, Samuel Holmes appears as the dame, Scott Maurice as the Prince and Briana Craig as Snow White.
There’s a wealth of panto experience on stage. Lesley Joseph – Dorien in the long-running TV comedy Birds of a Feather – has done 35 pantos, she says and Plymouth is one of her favourite theatres. ‘I’ve been coming here for so many years and I love it. There’s something about Plymouth, and it has a really good theatre. The panto is really important for the theatre and it’s great for the whole family.
‘I can remember seeing panto growing up in London. I wanted to act from the age of four and I was first on stage at the age of seven. I take panto really seriously. For me it’s probably the most difficult thing to do when you do it properly. You have to play it for real. For many it’s their first experience, the first show a child sees. That is magical. Panto should take you by surprise.’
Lesley, 79, who appeared in Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, prepares carefully for the strain of two shows a day.
‘You have to be match fit,’ she admits. ‘I get up and have a walk on the Hoe and have breakfast on the Barbican. Then there’s the warm-up for the show. I eat between shows and I go to bed early. I still wear a mask because I don’t want to risk getting colds and coughs.
‘This is my third panto with Rob, and my second with Andy. It’s like working with my best friends.’
While Leslie is a panto veteran, Rob is a relative newcomer after a career in the law before moving into television. But theatre was his first love and he joined the National Youth Theatre at 14.
‘I remember going to an audition and thought I wasn’t bad,’ he recalls. ‘The next person completely inhabited the character. It was the real stuff. His name was Benedict Cumberbatch! Having been privileged in doing lots of things, including documentaries, I’ve come back to acting by doing panto. This is my fourth year and it is getting a little bit easier. That’s one of the reasons why I did Strictly Come Dancing – it teaches you a new skill.’
One new skill Rob has acquired is writing – a novel, The Trial, was published last year followed up by The Suspect this year.
‘It’s a wonderful thing to have a go at everything. People have the power to do that and it reminds them what’s possible.
‘Panto was my first encounter with theatre and it offered this wonderful imaginary world. I take it seriously - as much as you have fun, you must not think you are just going through the motions. You see grandparents and parents and carers looking at young people and seeing it all through fresh eyes. It’s magical.’
Briana Craig returns to the Theatre Royal Plymouth for the second time in a year. In May she played a leading role in The Artist, co-produced by TRP and directed by choreographer Drew McOnie. It was a wonderful love letter to silent movies, inspired by the multi Oscar winning film of the same name. Briana played Peppy Miller, the young ingénue who becomes a Hollywood star.
Her return to the city is to play Snow White in this year’s panto. She says she knew she wanted to be on the stage from an early age. She grew up between Glasgow and Edinburgh, so was spoilt for choice when it came to entertainment.
‘One of my earliest memories is of being in the theatre and wanting to go up on the stage. I thought it could be a hobby or a career. I thought it was really special to be that person. My parents were so supportive and really went out of their way. I remember I became obsessed with musicals when I was nine and for my birthday I went down from Scotland to see Wicked in London. It was like going down a rabbit hole.
‘My first professional job when I was in college was Dick Whittington and I learnt so much. It was an important part of my training. I was also in Jack and the Beanstalk at the London Palladium. I didn’t do panto last year and I really missed it. It’s fun to tell stories, there’s such wonder and excitement. I really care about the work and Crossroads Productions are full of magic and special effects. It’s a great experience when children see something that seems impossible happening before them.’
December 13-January 11, theatreroyal.com
Actor Dereck Walker is thrilled to be back at the Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple, after last year’s Sleeping Beauty panto. This year he is again the dame - the mother of Beauty and the Silly Billy character in Beauty and the Beast.
‘It was my first time in Barnstaple last year and the theatre was lovely. All the staff were supportive and the audiences were wonderful.’
After playing his first dame in 2016 (a promotion from years as an Ugly Sister!) Dereck is thrilled to be following in the footsteps of his heroes like John Inman, Danny La Rue and Les Dawson.
‘What I find fascinating about the dame is that there are so many ways of playing the role and I had to work out who my dame was,’ he says. ‘For me there is a definite character in my head and I just step back into it without thinking. A good dame has to have that motherly aspect to the character a lot of the time. She has to be very warm to the audience and have fun together.
‘When you pick on someone in the audience you’re looking for someone who looks jolly and will have a laugh. People can be a bit hesitant to join in at first. Last year we had a wonderful time. We had to get people up on stage to play a horn and they were all a little bit nervous. Before long they were running up and blowing it merrily!’
Dereck, (centre in picture, with hat), is excited about having a whole new wardrobe as dame this year and is ready for quick costume changes in the wings.
‘You’re like an athlete by the end of it. It’s going to a visual treat.’
December 12-31, queenstheatre-barnstaple.com
THEATRE with pic DEV DEC24 DIARY BRIGGS
The stories of author and illustrator Raymond Briggs are at the heart of Christmas – the perennial The Snowman, Father Christmas and The Bear. In this production from the Olivier-nominated Pins and Needles in The Drum, Plymouth, you can join Santa as he awakes from a dream of sun, sea and sand only to find it is the busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve. He must prepare Christmas deliveries, feed his reindeer and fly off into the snowy night. But things don’t go smoothly with soot-covered chimneys and treacherous weather.
Until December 28, theatreroyal.com.
EastEnders’ star John Altman, who played ‘Nasty’ Nick Cotton, is King Custard in this spectacular panto at Torquay’s Princess Theatre. The cast also includes Jennie Dale (CBeebies’ Swashbuckle) as Fairy Fushcia and Matt Lapinskas (Dancing On Ice and Eastenders) as Fleshcreep. Back by popular demand are Michael Neilson as Dame Trott, Isabel Canning as Jack, Lotti Brogan as Jill and Matthew Curnier as Billy. Join the cast and the lovable Clarabelle the Cow in a world of magic beans, a majestic castle in the clouds and a rather bad-tempered Giant.
December 13-January 4, atgtickets.com
After year-on-year record-breaking success, Exeter Northcott and Le Navet Bete team up once more for laugh-out-loud fun, great music, stunning costumes and sets, and amazing special effects in the unmissable family panto Cinderella. In a plot to overthrow the kingdom, Cinderella’s Wicked Stepmother has cast eternal winter over Exeter. Advised by the mysterious Sage, the Prince throws a ball to save his Kingdom. Will Cinderella be able to break free and go to the ball with the help of her trusty sidekicks Buttons and Poppers? There are four accessible shows during the run and one adults only version.
November 28-January 5, exeternorthcott.co.uk
This all-new family show at the Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay, is packed with comedy, music and dance. Audience favourite comedian David Arnold (pictured) returns joined by special guest, comedy magician Peter Baffles. Music comes from Claire Waring, Lucy J Samuels, Joe Giordano and Joe Stone with songs from shows such as Wicked, Moulin Rouge, The Polar Express and Meet Me In St Louis as well as pop classics and seasonal favourites. The popular troupe Danze Starz are back with routines by highly acclaimed choreographer, Lucy O’Neill, set to the musical arrangements of musical director, Pete Leonard.
Various dates until January 1, Babbacombe-theatre.com
The perfect Christmas recipe… First, take the Exeter Philharmonic Choir, director Howard Ionascu and associate director Stephen Tanner. Next, add the sparkle of soprano Milly Forrest’s glorious voice. Then, sprinkle on the brilliance of trumpeters Cameron Todd and Fraser Tannock. Finally, blend the mixture together with local historian Todd Gray’s reflections on Devon Christmases, past and present.
Result – a delightful evening and an exhilarating preparation for the Christmas season.
Over two nights in December, the glorious voice of soprano Milly Forrest will light up Exeter Philharmonic Choir’s festive carol concerts in Exeter Cathedral, accompanied by trumpeters Cameron Todd and Fraser Tannock.
Milly (pictured) has sung with the choir before and is looking forward to doing so again. A graduate of the Master’s course at the Royal College of Music, in the past year she has made solo debuts with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
Mum of two boys, Milly says Christmas has always been her favourite time of year. ‘It’s a time when we are reminded about the importance of family, generosity, sacrifice and above all, love. I am honoured to be performing with the Exeter Philharmonic Choir again in such a sublime setting.’
Well-known local historian Dr Todd Gray will compere this year’s carol concerts, presenting illuminating and amusing anecdotes from his book about the customs practised in Devon in Christmases past and how they have evolved into the celebrations we know today.
The choir will sing carols both traditional and modern, conducted by Howard Ionascu and accompanied by Stephen Tanner on the organ and piano. The audience is invited to join the choir by singing along to some seasonal favourites. Donations received at this year’s Carol concerts will support local charity CEDA (Community, Equality, Disability Action).
December 17 and 18, exeterphilharmonic.org.uk
Exeter Festival Chorus started more than three decades ago and now has a choir of some 80 people. They have a broad repertoire from early music to contemporary and jazz in regular collaboration with other choirs and with professional musicians, both instrumental and vocal. Their Christmas concerts are always popular and this year is no exception when they are at Exeter Cathedral with Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra. A fun evening for families with a selection of popular, and a few less well known, seasonal pieces plus audience carols. Family ticket deals are available.
December 14, exeterfestivalchorus.org.uk
The Christmas Concert at Tavistock Methodist Church includes Mozart’s celebratory ‘Coronation’ Mass, one of the composer’s most popular and enduring works. Written in 1779 and probably commissioned by the Archbishop of Salzburg for performance on Easter Sunday, its nickname derives from its first documented performance at the coronation of Holy Roman Emperor Francis I in 1792, though it may also have been performed at the coronation of Leopold II the previous year. The concert also includes highlights from Handel’s Messiah. Accompanied by the Divertimento Ensemble and conducted by Dan Robson (pictured).
December 14, ticketsource.co.uk
Exeter-based PaddleBoat Theatre Company and the Northcott Theatre offer a brand-new version of the beloved fairytale at the Barnfield Theatre. In the nooks and crannies of the old Shoemaker’s shop live the Elves. These cheeky stowaways live off the odds and ends left behind at the end of the day; shoelaces, scraps of leather and sandwich crumbs. But when the shop is struggling, it’s time for the Elves and the Shoemaker to work together and save their home! Every child receives a special activity sheet of fun games and after the performance you can meet the Elves.
December 17-24, exeternorthcott.co.uk
A Christmas Carol. Image: Chapterhouse Theatre A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens' timeless tale of hope and redemption follows the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge as he embarks upon a journey through his past, present, and future, learning along the way to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas. With dazzling musical sequences and authentic period costuming, this production from Chapterhouse Theatre promises to be the perfect accompaniment to the festive season. But will Scrooge’s cold heart thaw in time for Christmas Day...? Chapterhouse Theatre are well-known to Devon audiences for their outdoor shows in the summer. For this production they are in the warmth of Exmouth Pavilion.
December 11, exmouthpavilion.co.uk
The cast of Ciderella. Image: Barbican Theatre The Plymuff Players Present: Ciderella
The Barbican Theatre in Plymouth has something different to offer - an adult pantomime devised and written by Suzy Bennett, Sam Crawley, Laura Horton and Edward Tripp. Amateur dramatics company The Plymuff Players want to put on Cinderella, but in their haste they miss out the ‘n’ on the posters and can’t afford to reprint them. Join middle-aged barmaid, Ciderella, desperate to attend the Brewery Awards to let her hair down for the night. But will the Ugly Misters sabotage her evening? Ciderella will have to try her best before the clock strikes midnight.
December 13-24, barbicantheatre.co.uk
Comedian Mark Thomas. Image: Mark Thomas Mark Thomas
Mark’s now famous mix of stand-up, theatre, journalism and the odd bout of performance art has made him one of our oldest surviving alternative comics. Often referred to as the ‘godfather of political comedy’, Mark has been performing comedy for nearly 40 years. He is back to his finest stand-up form with anti-Tory sentiment in Gaffa Tapes at Plymouth University.
December 6, tickettailor.com
BOX OFFICE
Peter Pan
Exeter Corn Exchange are hoping this year’s Christmas show will rival last year, when they had their biggest success to date with Sleeping Beauty. Peter Pan is J M Barrie’s enchanting story of the boy who would never grew up and is packed with his adventures as he flies to Neverland with Wendy and her brothers to join the Lost Boys. Together they take on the villainous Captain Hook, who lost a hand to Peter in a swordfight. Corn Exchange favourite Matt Finegan returns to lead the company in a jolly romp with slapstick and songs.
December 14-January 1, exetercornexchange.co.uk
Carols and Capers
This year marks four decades since Steeleye Span’s Maddy Prior and The Carnival Band joined forces. The collaboration resulted in the acclaimed album Carols and Capers and a concert experience like no other. But the 40th anniversary celebrations will be tinged with sadness as this almost marks their farewell tour. Together they will mix ancient and modern instruments and rich vocal harmony with a refreshing cavalier attitude and plenty of humour – putting their inimitable stamp on a range of familiar and not-so-familiar festive fare. The show at the Palace Theatre, Paignton, guarantees to be a Christmas Party to remember.
December 6, palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk
DartFest
MED Theatre’s youth drama groups meet after school in term times at Moretonhampstead Parish Hall for fun sessions run by experienced drama professionals, creating new theatre inspired by Dartmoor. Rising Lights is for five to seven-year-olds, Bright Nights is for eight to 12-year-olds and Wild Nights Young Company is for those aged 13 and over. The young people have devised, written and will act in pieces inspired by their locality and topical themes for two performances at the one-day DartFest at Moretonhampstead Parish Hall. Recommended for audiences aged four and over.
Saturday December 7, medtheatre.co.uk
