Theatre News

Cinderella comes to town for sneak peak

It was hard to imagine anything changing the grey overhead clouds and rain hitting the streets of Newcastle, but then we should know better when Michael Harrison, MD of Qdos Pantomimes and the writer and director of the annual smash hit pantomime at the Theatre Royal, is in town.

Within seconds of introducing us once again to Clive Webb and Danny Adams, all thoughts of the weather were dispelled as the pair launched in to a comedy routine. The press, and invited school children, were hooked on silly jokes and sight gags from the off. The father and son act were back in town launching this year’s show, a brand new version of Cinderella , which will have the usual twists to the story, as only Michael Harrison can do.

Each year Michael manages to break the previous year’s box office record and bring us a more spectacular show than the last and this production sounds on target to keep up that tradition. Flying (with no wires) an evil raven (called the Little Waster), a horse that flies over the audience,  3D, dancing penguins, “real” rain and a Baroness, as well as the ugly sisters, are all in store for us this year.

Michael Harrison’s smash hit run of pantomimes started five years ago with Cinderella, starring Jill Halfpenny, Clive and Danny, this year the leading lady will be Roxanne Pallett from Emmerdale, making her panto debut, along with David Ducasse from the pop group Scooch as Dandini. Chris Hayward, in his third successive panto at the Royal, and Phil Corbitt, (who played Blackheart the pirate last year) will both returning with Clive and Danny for Cinderella.

The Theatre Royal looks on course to have the best pantomime in the Country once again and I am already counting down the days until December 1st when the magic of panto is back with us once again.