It might feel strange to be talking about the merits of panto as we head towards the summer, but stick with me.
A few weeks ago, I attended the Pantomime Awards in Woking to celebrate the great and the good of this growing and highly skilled sector. Co-hosted by our very own La Voix alongside Elaine C Smith and Dave Benson Phillips, it was a truly wonderful night — and as you’d expect, full to the brim with glitter, glamour and campness. Winners came from across the country, but I was really thrilled to see a special prize for Inclusive Practice go to He’s Behind You at the Charing Cross Theatre. It was an absolute hoot, and each year the team there gets better and better, so it was very well deserved.
My local, Greenwich Theatre, picked up two gongs for its production of Dick Whittington and his Cat. There were also prizes for Fairfield Halls in Croydon and Brick Lane Music Hall.
It was an honour to meet someone I have admired from afar for years — the one and only Elaine C Smith. Not only did she do a sterling job presenting part of the ceremony, but she was also the worthy winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award for her contribution to panto over many, many decades. The star-studded evening reminded me how important this sector is, employing thousands of people and generating millions for regional theatres up and down the land.
Back on home turf, I visited the Palladium not once, but twice this month. Firstly, for the gala performance of Queen by Candlelight starring West End favourite Lucie Jones. Not only was Daniel Wood and Simon Gordon’s production acfeast for the ears, but my eyes were dazzled by the thousands of candles that decked the stage of the Palladium. This was a one-off performance, but the show has been touring since the first lockdown, so I have no doubt you will get a chance to see this show somewhere near you sometime soon.
But it was my second trip to the Palladium that really tickled me pink. My dear friend and colleague, Jodie at BBC Radio 2, had the task of planning a night of musical theatre brilliance to mark 60 years in showbiz for the mother of musicals, Elaine Paige. It was an exceptional night with songs from Elaine’s past performed by some of today’s biggest names, including Mazz Murray, Charlie Stemp and Summer Strallen. There to celebrate alongside Elaine were Gloria Hunniford, Angela Rippon, Scott Mills and Zoe Ball, who did a sterling job hosting the show. The evening is available on BBC Sounds and I’d urge you to give it a listen, not just for the wonderful songs, but also for the tributes from the likes of Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Elaine’s BBC Radio 2 bestie, Michael Ball.
Looking ahead and the diary is busy as always, with trips to the King’s Head, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and the Menier Chocolate Factory planned. The powerhouse that is Trevor Ashley returns to the South London venue in May with his one-man (or woman) show, Liza in Typsy. I saw Ashley do Liza a few years ago in the West End and he was fabulous, so a whole evening of it will be a surefire winner.
Drop Thomas a follow @thomasmagill1
