A dandy Dandini makes his stage debut
Friday December 9 to Saturday December 31
Cinderella
Wycombe Swan
TV and radio icon Vernon Kay will make his stage and pantomime debut this year starring as
Dandini in Cinderella, at a theatre he knows well.
Much-loved household favourite Vernon Kay is best known for his many appearances on TV and radio. Following a career in modelling Kay first appeared on our screens in 2000 presenting Channel 4's T4, followed by a 10-year takeover of ITV’s All Star Family Fortunes at the same time presenting shows including; Just the Two of Us, Beat the Star, The Whole 19 Yards, Splash! 1000 Heartbeats, Drive and Game of Talents.
Vernon tells us: “I am beyond excited to be playing Dandini in Cinderella and I’m gonna give this everything I’ve got. Having done TV and radio for the last 25 years this will be a totally new experience for me, I love testing myself and trying new things and being a massive panto fan, I can’t think of a better way to make my stage debut.
“We’re a family of panto lovers, my two daughters, Tess and I go every year - it’s a steadfast family tradition - so when the option came for me to be in one my girls said ‘Dad you have to do it’ and I couldn’t have agreed more. I love the romance, the slapstick – the whole lot. It’s also where ‘dad jokes’ rule and I’m the king of the dad joke.
“We’ve visited the Wycombe Swan panto a number of times as a family so it’s great to be here at one of my local venues. I love Christmas, I could do it every day and I’m hugely proud to be a part of people’s festive celebrations. I’m looking forward to every performance, just getting out there and enjoying the ride with ever yone.”
Fiona Martin, theatre director at the Wycombe Swan says:
‘We’re thrilled to be able to share this exciting news and can’t wait to welcome Vernon to our stage for his first ever panto experience. We know that his cheeky wit and fantastic energy will be a huge hit with families, I think his local knowledge will also make for some hilarious gags too.
“This year, our spectacular family pantomime will also be premiering a dazzling digital set. With this exciting addition of Vernon Kay to our glittering cast, Cinderella really will be the best ball in town and a show like nothing we’ve seen before.”
Until Saturday December 31 Jack and the Beanstalk South Hill Park
Following South Hill Park’s most successful pantomime ever (Cinderella 2021), the magic and mayhem returns to the Wilde Theatre with a brand new version of the timeless tale Jack and the
Beanstalk (opening Friday, November 25).
Follow country-living Jack on this hilarious, fee-fi-fo-fun-filled adventure as they sell the family cow for a handful of magic beans and climb the towering beanstalk. But what awaits them, above the clouds, at the top? And will they find their fortune in sparkling treasure and egg-quisite gold?
Bringing a fabulous line-up including returning stars from their 2021 pantomime Cinderella Michael Ayiotis, Paul Toulson and Ben Featherstone – plus wonderful newcomers Rachel Warrick-Clarke, Amy Rhiannon Worth and Adam Jessop, South Hill Park has a talent-filled treat for you this Christmas.
So join us for a larger-than-life festive season filled with laughter, silly songs, colourful characters, slapstick comedy, and enchanted harps and hens – in this Great British pantomime favourite full of creative sparkle.
South Hill Park Arts Centre is determined that the shows will go on, so please support live theatre at your local arts.
Until Friday December 30
One Snowy Night Norden Farm
The delightful One Snowy Night comes to Norden Farm Percy the Park Keeper’s hut. Percy the Park keeper always feeds the animals in the park where he lives. But one cold winter’s night Percy finds his little friends shivering on the doorstep – they need more than food and he must find a way to help them.
A snuggly, fun and heartwarming story, with songs to sing along to and furry friends to meet. For ages three and above.
Until Saturday December 10
Merlin – The Spellbinding Panto Old Windsor Memorial Hall
All singing, all dancing and all magic comes to the stage in Riverside Players traditional panto. Visit www.ents24.com for ticket information.
W Read next week’s Advertiser for details of Jack and the Beanstalk at the Braywick Leisure Centre December 17 to 24 and Maidenhead Drama Guild's production of Beauty and the Beast at Holyport Memorial Hall from December 14 to 18.
See below for our review of Sleeping Beauty at the Theatre Royal Windsor.