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VIDEO - A new panto for the post-Berwick era at York Theatre Royal
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Published at 10:19am 3rd February 2020. (Updated at 5:30pm 3rd February 2020)
York's Theatre Royal has unveiled details of its first post-Berwick Kaler panto - which they say will give the annual show a new lease of life.
Panto Dame, Berwick Kaler, and the rest of the old cast, are moving down the road to the Grand Opera House after being told they won't be needed anymore by the Theatre Royal.
There was an outcry among people who'd enjoyed Berwick's productions and appearances as the Grand Dame at the Theatre Royal for decades - when it was announced he and the rest of the cast would not be asked to return next winter.
Berwick was told he was losing audiences
They've all jumped ship to the Grand Opera House, and now the Theatre Royal has released details of their next panto production - which will be an updated version of Cinderella - based in the city.
It'll be produced by Evolution - who've won awards for best panto in the UK.
VIDEO - York Theatre Royal Executive Director Tom Bird wants to move on from Berwick:
“We are over the moon to be creating a spectacular new pantomime for the people of York - one that’s tailor-made for the whole family, while honouring the pantomime traditions that our audiences love so much.
Our recipe includes two of the most exciting voices in our city, David Reed and Juliet Forster, together with Emily Wood and Paul Hendy, the finest makers of pantomime in the country – a fairytale combination.
This phenomenal team will give the York Theatre Royal pantomime a new lease of life with a fresh, family-friendly, fun-filled approach to the story of Cinderella.
It’s a pantomime for the new decade, set with pride in our amazing city.”
VIDEO - Juliet Forster is director of the new Theatre Royal panto.
Evolution Productions was started by Emily Wood and Paul Hendy in 2005 and has built a reputation for bespoke pantomimes with the emphasis on high quality production, strong casting and funny scripts.
They have twice won Pantomime of the Year at the Great British Pantomime Awards.
They are the team behind Sheffield Theatres’ successful pantomime in the Lyceum Theatre.
Paul Hendy, Evolution producer and co-writer of Cinderella
Emily Wood, Evolution producer
Producer and writer Paul Hendy said:
“Emily and I are absolutely thrilled to be working with York Theatre Royal on this year’s pantomime.
We are huge fans of the theatre and we’re looking forward to collaborating with Tom and his brilliant team to produce a wonderful, family friendly pantomime with spectacular production values, a superbly talented cast, and a genuinely funny script.”
Picture - David Reed who is going to be co-writer
Further creatives and cast for Cinderella will be announced in coming months.
Ticket prices remain the same as for 2019-2020.
VIDEO - CharlesHutchPress talks to David Dunning about the Panto wars and also says he stands by criticism of the last Berwick Kaler production
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