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2004
BBC Radio Stoke Pantomime - on-stage! | |
|  | A mass of panto stars! |
| | You've already read about the build-up to the Panto... but what was it like backstage during the performance? Matt Beeson picks up the story with the panto just underway... |
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| |  Playing the crowd...
How would the audience respond? Would they laugh at the jokes?
Tim Wedgwood and Jodie Looker, the Director and Producer, spent months writing the script, full of gags and somewhat cringe worthy one-liners!
They needn't have worried. As soon as Terry Walsh appeared from behind the curtain the audience erupted.
After all, here was a man in his forties dressed as a fairy, equipped with a magic wand.
A man who simply didn't care if he looked a bit daft, and he did - but that was why it was so good.
As I was about to walk on stage it suddenly dawned on me that I was not nervous anymore.
Rabbit in the headlights
Here was a man in his forties dressed as a fairy, equipped with a magic wand. A man who simply didn't care if he looked a bit daft, and he did - but that was why it was so good... | Matt on Terry Walsh, the 'Airy Fairy' |
The stage lights shone brightly in my eyes to the point that I could only see the first few rows.
It was time to say my big line, "Buy one, get one free, buy one, get one free!"
"What are you selling?" replied the shopper.
"Bogoff!" Fired out in perfect time.
My first two lines were done. We all sang a quick rendition of "Downtown" and it was backstage until Act 2.
Act 2...
It was all going rather well. A quick drink and a bit of banter later I was back behind the curtain ready for Act 2.
It was Rob's "Magic Moment's" song. I had to dance from side to side and sing the chorus.
Easy? Well, you would think so.....
I kept turning at the wrong time and I am sure I heard people giggling in the front row! Surely that is enough calamity for anybody?
Not for me - after the final song we all had to pick a partner to bow with. But we were not supposed to walk off stage!
I stood around by myself for a few seconds before I quickly took my place at the back of the group.
"They think it's all over..."
After two hours of corny jokes, hilarious costumes and over the top make up, the curtain came down on a thoroughly enjoyable day.
There will be a few people missing from the photographs took at the end of the Panto as they all rushed down to the bar!
But they deserved it.
All of the proceeds made went to the Donna Louise Trust.
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| |  | BBC Stoke and Staffordshire
Cheapside
Hanley
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST1 1JJ
tel: (+44) 01782 221281
e-mail: [email protected] |
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