Panto’s magic (beans)
CHRISTMAS SHOW STALWART PHYL’S FULL OF ANTICIPATION
REHEARSALS started weeks ago with guitars re-strung, drums dusted down and saxophones polished and now the cast at Theatr Clwyd are ready for the curtain to rise on North Wales’ first pantomime of the season.
This year Jack and the Beanstalk takes to the stage and creative staff and performers are eagerly anticipating the audience’s reaction, following their painstaking preparations.
The 10 talented performers are a mix of newcomers and returnees and are led once again by Phyl Harries, as Dame Tabitha Trott.
It is Phyl’s 13th Theatr Clwyd panto since the theatre revived the tradition under former artistic director Terry Hands more than 15 years ago.
Rubbing his newly-shaved chin Phyl said: “Jack and the Beanstalk is such a great panto. There’s lots of comedy, lots of ad-libbing, lots of awful jokes and some audience participation. I can’t wait for it to start.”
The script, he added, has been prepared by award-winning Christian Patterson and features a hit-parade of tunes including songs by Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Ed Sheeran, Ray Charles, Queen and Madonna.
“When Pete Rowe brought a panto to Theatr Clwyd he brought with him a whole load of hit songs and got the performers to play their own instruments. That proved to be very popular so we’ve stuck with it and it means we are hardly off stage.
“But the audience loves it and there’s nowhere an audience like Theatr Clwyd’s. They really are the best audience anywhere and I’ve been involved in a few pantos over the years,” he said.
Asked which story is his favourite Phyl has no hesitation.
“If you’d asked me that last year I’d have said Sleeping Beauty but we had such a good run last year with Dick Whittington that show has now taken over at number one,” he said.
“The panto last year wasn’t without its difficulties,” Phyl recalled.
“Due to a leg injury suffered by Emmy Stonelake, who played the female lead, in the opening performance and another injury later in the run we ended up with four different performers in the role of Alice.
“And one of them was our new artistic director Tamara Harvey who stepped in at the very last moment.
“I know the saying ‘break a leg’ is a theatrical term to wish each other well but hopefully that won’t happen again this year,” he said.
Jack and the Beanstalk isn’t Phyl’s only panto of the season either.
He’s directing one for S4C involving former Welsh rugby international Shane Williams.
“We did the first one a couple of years ago and this one, Shane a’r Bont Hud (Shane and the Magic Bridge) will again feature a host of rugby stars and other celebrities,” said Phyl.
Once the Mold panto run ends in mid January Phyl will join fellow actor Ieuan Rhys on tour with Shane in a show called An Evening with Shane.
Jack and the Beanstalk the Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto at Theatr Clwyd runs until January 18.
Tickets from the Theatr Clwyd Box Office on 01352 344101 or online at www.theatrclwyd.com