Pantomime is a sure sign that Christmas is here so Chrissy Symmons went behind the scenes to discover how the show is created.
A hint of magic hung in the air when I arrived at Oakengates Theatre @ The Place, in Market Street.
Walking into the theatre I was met with the sight of plain clothed actors preparing for this year’s pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
The Paul Holman show is this year being directed by Ian Billings, who is also taking on the character of Herman the Hench man.
I was introduced to the actors who were sat around tables in the theatre’s bar area pouring over scripts and practicing dance routines.
A pianist was in the corner tinkling the ivories practising the tunes and back ground music for the forthcoming show.
Other actors were rehearsing their lines and stage directions.
Rehearsals for the show are by no means a quiet affair and the performers looked as if they were enjoying themselves as they put energy and charisma into their characters.
I sat on a table next to Kay Purcell who is playing the role of the Wicked Queen.
Kay arrived in Telford after recently finishing filming for Tracey Beaker Returns, a popular CBBC show. She has also been shooting series five of Waterloo Road as character Candice Smiley.
She is also probably known best for role as Cynthia Daggert in Emmerdale. Other TV shows on her CV include My Parents are Aliens and Coronation Street.
“Coming to Telford is lovely,” she said “I have never been here before. I love it.
“I am staying in Ironbridge and the people have been really lovely. I have a cousin in Condover and always thought the area was brilliant.”
I asked her why she enjoyed being part of pantos.
“Pantos are a lot of fun,” she said. “They never become boring. When you have different audiences you get different reactions. The rehearsals have been going well and it is a great cast.”
ren coming to the panto.”
Before I left her to speak to another star of the show - Snow White, or Victoria Scott - Kay told me a highlight of the performance will be her singing a track by Lady Ga Ga.
Victoria seemed really pleased to be part of the panto and told me it was an honour to be playing a lead role.
Her professional theatre credits include lead vocalist in Seaside Special at the Pavilion Theatre, Cromer. Victoria has also played Fran in Is there Life after High School? At the Cochrane Theatre, London.
“This is my first time in Telford and so far so good,” Victoria said. “This is my third panto and my first time as Snow White
“It is lovely when the children think you are Snow White. It is quite a magical. It is a big privilege to be Snow White.”
The show’s Prince Richard is played by Callum McArdle who has recently just completed a musical theatre diploma at the Royal Academy of Music.
As he spoke about his time in Oakengates he said he was looking forward to performing.
He said: “Rehearsals are going well. I have never played the prince before. It is a new experience. “The panto is good fun.
“It is hard to keep a straight face when the comedy duo comes on - it is hard not to laugh.”
Dame dolly Dumpling, played by Chris Casserly, was sitting across the table from us. He told me why he loves the pantomime season.
“I love it,” he said. “This is my ninth panto. It makes Christmas feel like Christmas.”
Ian Billings, who plays Herman the Hench man, is also the director of this year’s show.
He is no stranger to directing and has worked on many projects including TV children’s comedy show the Chuckle Brothers.
He said: “I wrote the original script for this pantomime. I like them because the nature of panto is that it changes.”
After meeting all the stars and watching them rehearse I couldn’t help but feel excited to watch the show.
The pantomime Show White and the Seven Dwarfs runs until January 3.
Ticket Prices ranging from £7 to £13.50 and discounts and concessions are available.
For more information call the box office on 01952 382382.