Pantomimes Cinderella, Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone


There is nothing quite like a small, intimate theatre to experience the knockabout hilarity of a Christmas panto. And there are few better suited to creating a cauldron of noise and laughter than the Hazlitt Theatre in the heart of the county town. TV chef and national


Aladdin, Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells


The classic rags to riches story of Aladdin comes to the Assembly Hall Theatre from early December for around a month. The Tunbridge Wells venue has arguably lined up one of the strongest panto casts in the county. Former EastEnders Michael


Greco is Abanazar, a very different role to his part in the soap opera, Beppe di Marco, from 1998 to 2002, a role that saw him win the British Soap Award for Sexiest Male in 1999 and 2000. Jess Robisnon is the voice


of CBBC’s hit show, Horrible Histories, who is also a skilled impersonator with a wide range of other personas as Cheryl Cole, Hilary Clinton and Madonna. Aladdin will be played by


Bafta-winning CBBC’s presenter Mark Rhodes who is a big favourite on children’s TV as well as light entertainment hits such as Dancing on Ice, Celebrity Wipeout and was a runner-up in Pop Idol.


Assembly Hall Theatre, December 8 — January 3 2018. For ticket prices or to book call 01892 530613 or visit www.assemblyhalltheatre. co.uk


34 Mid Kent Living


Like the Hazlitt in Maidstone and the Assembly Hall in Tunbridge Wells, this year’s panto at the Marlowe Theatre, Peter Pan, also has an EastEnders theme. Shaun Williamson, who spent a decade playing the luckless Barry in the hit TV soap opera, is the big name to appear at the celebrated Canterbury venue. Alongside Shaun, Wendi


Peters and Gemma Hunt also top the bill, along with Canterbury favourites, Ben Roddy and Lloyd Hollett. Shaun, a regular visitor to The Marlowe who also found


treasure Rustie Lee is the big celebrity name — guaranteed to make it a huge local draw — as she ably takes on the role of the Fairy Godmother. Setting hearts aflutter in the


role of the Prince will be former EastEnders star Stefan Booth. Providing the laughs will be the Ugly Sisters of No Mercy, played by Stephen Richards and Adam Borzone.


This year’s festive treat has been carefully crafted by the meticulous Martin Cleverley who hunted down the cast members he thought would best work for his take on a familiar story. There are no spectacular departures from the story of how kitchen drudge Cinders dreams of her dashing Prince, yet all the while being pushed around and put upon by the Uglies.


And there will be plenty of gags and audience participation. A Hazlitt spokesman said:


“With about 350 seats in the theatre, every performance will be a riot of fun for the family.


“The noise levels rocket and laughter, booing and familiar catchphrases absolutely fill the place. “We are so lucky to have


secured some big names to bring the house down. But most of all we want to provide a show which all the family will enjoy and add an extra bit of spice to their Christmas.” With hundreds of panto-


lovers pouring in and out of the Hazlitt each day throughout December, local bars and restaurants will be hoping to capture that business. Ticket sales have been


strong and it will pay to check availability well in advance.


The Hazlitt Theatre, December 1 — 31 2017. Ticket prices range from £14 to £22.50 call 01622 758611 or visit www.HazlittTheatre.com to book.


Peter Pan, Marlowe Threatre, Canterbury


an even wider audience alongside Ricky Gervais in Extras, plays Captain Hook, while Wendi will take on the Mrs Darling/Mia the Mermaid/Big Chief Squatting Cow roles. Wendi, who was Cilla in


Coronation Street, currently plays the Cook in the CBBC show, Hetty Feather. Both Shaun and Wendi have extensive theatre experience, including roles in West End musicals. Gemma (Tiger Lily) presents the popular CBeebies show, Swashbuckle. Ben once again plays the Dame, this year Mrs Smee, while Lloyd is Starkey. David Ribi, who has just been cast as the main presenter on Channel 5’s Milkshake, will play Peter Pan, while Samantha Dorrance


(the female lead in CBeebies’ The Tale of Mister Tumble) is Wendy. Jo Osmond (Dr Who, Maleficent) plays Tinkerbell. Peter Pan writer, producer and director Paul Hendy believes the cast will appeal to lots of people across the age ranges. Paul, who has made a


successful business out of staging pantomime across the country, said: “We pride ourselves in giving Marlowe audiences a true family pantomime, and this has never been more true! “We have someone for


everyone of all ages, and, of course, we have real talent. The cast is very strong and will give another ‘wow’ production, as well as continuing The Marlowe quality brand.”


The Marlowe Theatre, November 24 — January 14, 2018. For ticket prices or to book call 01227 787787 or visit www.marlowetheatre.com.


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