This year the Assembly Hall Theatre pantomime will star much loved TV star and Waterloo Road’s ‘Grantley Budgen’, Philip Martin Brown together with children’s TV presenter, Luke Roberts and the lovable Sarah Jane Buckley in the unmissable family spectacular Jack and the Beanstalk. Comedian and actor Noel Brodie will play ‘Simple Simon’ and also starring in this year’s line-up is Stephen David who will be on hand as the hilariously over the top ‘Dame Trott’.
A familiar face on TV, Phillip Martin Brown will be stepping into the role of the Giant’s henchman, ‘Fleshcreep’. Best known for his role in the television series Waterloo Road, he has also appeared in The Professionals and has made many appearances on many other British dramas including Heartbeat, Midsomer Murders, New Tricks and Doctors.
Joining Philip as ‘Jack’ will be Luke Roberts, presenter of CITV’s hit television show Hi-5 and Cartoonito, and at the recent pantomime launch I asked him:
Are you looking forward to starring as Jack here in Tunbridge Wells?
Oh yes, I am SO looking forward to it and I’m so excited this year. Mainly because I have had friends in the pantos here for the last two, or three, years and I have heard such good things about it. I’ve heard that everyone here is really friendly and that the staff and crew are the best and also the people of the town too. I have heard that they are really friendly, and very polite – which is always nice.
That’s the sort of audience we, and the pantomime, needs. We need people who will really get behind it because it’s a one-of-a-kind thing. It’s such a magical experience for the children and for the adults as well. I remember the first time I ever went and saw a pantomime and I am sure many others do too and I’m glad that panto is still alive and is better than ever.
What’s it like for you to come face to face with your TV audience?
Do you know what – it’s so nice. I’ve been fortunate enough to be in Hi-5 when it’s gone out on tour so I know what it’s like to meet the people who enjoy seeing you and I think the pantomime audience will be the similar. I’m really excited to be getting the chance to meet the little ones and it’s great to see the parents get excited for the kids too.
And you’ll also be coming face-to-face with the Giant.
To be honest, I’m scared. I heard bad things about him, I’ve heard that he’s really frightening and has a very scary voice but I’ve got a really big sword just in case things get really tough for me!
Sarah Jane Buckley will be playing the role of the ‘Fairy of the Forest’. She is best known for her role as Kathy Barnes in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, and as the iconic singer Eva Cassidy in Over the Rainbow, the Eva Cassidy Story.
When I got the chance to chat to her, I asked:
Where does the Fairy of the Forest fit into the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk?
Well, having not read the full script yet, I’m not totally sure but, from what I know so far, I think she fixes a lot of things and makes a lot of the magic happen in the show but her biggest job is to make sure that nasty old Fleshcreep stops being so mean to Jack and the Princess.
Working on TV is quite “safe”, so what’s it like to work for a live audience?
It’s so exciting and brilliant fun and your heart beats a bit faster and if you suddenly lose your footing or forget the lines then the cast always jump to your rescue to put you back where you should be. Without doubt the best place to be if you are ever going to forget a line is in panto, because there are so many people on stage, usually, that there is always someone who will save you – either by making a joke of it so we all have a laugh, or sometimes just by saying the line for you.
Of course, at the same time you’ve got the audience shouting out as well and sometimes that can throw you off a bit too, but even when that happens it’s still marvellous that they all get so involved and shout so loudly. The trick is, and you often see this with live TV, is that, when something goes wrong, it’s always funnier if you make sure that you include the audience. It’s harder for an audience if they don’t know what’s going on, sometimes they don’t see the joke, so we tell them!
Comedian Noel Brodie, known for his appearances in Live From Jethros, Laugh A Minute and The Big Laugh Show will play the loveable ‘Simple Simon’ and Stephen David, as ‘Dame Trott’, will add to the mayhem as she attempts to keep control of her adventure loving son. As this is his 14th consecutive year as Dame I asked Stephen:
What is it that brings you back, year after year, to play the Dame?
Money (he laughs), No, let me think. Yeah, it is the money and, to be serious, it’s because, for me, the Dame in any pantomime is the central character. Everything revolves around, or she is involved in, everything that happens. She gets involved in things she shouldn’t, she gets involved with men that she shouldn’t and it’s just a fantastic role to play.
You’re both busy onstage and equally as busy offstage because, as soon as you come off, you’re out of one costume and into another costume and thinking about getting back on stage for the next scene. So, in a two and a half hour show, you never really stop. As an actor I don’t think there is anything worse than “doing your bit” and then coming off, going to your dressing room and sitting there, waiting.
Will your costumes be as elaborate as ever?
Oh yes, I have about 40 massively elaborate costumes of my own and, from those, I will be wearing about 12 as Dame Trott. I use all of my own costumes apart from the finale costume and that is provided by the production company.
Martin Dodd, Director of UK Productions says: “We are delighted to bring together a super talented cast for this year’s Assembly Hall Pantomime. They are all seasoned pantomime performers and together with the terrific tale of Jack’s adventurous quest we can guarantee you plenty of giant laughs.”
Theatre Director of the Assembly Hall Theatre Brian McAteer says: “Over the past few years, together with UK Productions, we have staged Tunbridge Wells’ biggest and most spectacular pantomimes and I can promise that Jack and the Beanstalk will be another giant and unmissable show featuring a larger than life beanstalk and one very mean giant at the top of it. This classic tale will be the Assembly Hall Theatres’ biggest pantomime yet!”
Staged by UK Productions, the world’s biggest pantomime producer and the company behind last year’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Jack and the Beanstalk is the Christmas show you don’t want to miss. Pantomime at its best!
Tickets for all performances from Friday 13th December 2013 to Sunday 5th Jan 2014 are already selling fast and can be purchased from the Box office on 01892 530613 or online at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
Please note that there is a signed performance on Sat 21 Dec @ 5pm and a relaxed performance on Thursday 2 Jan @ 5pm. The relaxed performance is open to everyone and is specifically designed to welcome people with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, learning disability and other sensory and communication disorders. The performance offers a less formal and more supportive atmosphere in relation to noise and movement, with small changes to the performance sound levels, special effects and the auditorium lighting.
