Friday, December 6

Tag: Paul Hendy

The Last Laugh – Assembly George Square
Scotland

The Last Laugh – Assembly George Square

A standing ovation at a Fringe show speaks volumes. Paul Hendy's (writer and director) The Last Laugh deserves loud applause and whoops of appreciation. It is funny and touching. The set is perfect, the lighting spot on and the performers are wonderful.  Bob Golding as Eric Morecambe has that lovely little bounce perfected; Damien Williams channels the late Tommy Cooper brilliantly and Simon Cartwright’s Bob Monkhouse looks and sounds just like the man himself, right down to the mahogany tan. The warm-up music is a sound bath of Bernard Cribbins, which my neighbour joyously sang along with. Songs about a man digging a hole or Ernie and his horse and cart … there are few silly comedy songs these days, if any. Aimed at a predominantly baby boomer audience with money to spare and...
Sheffield Theatres Announce Initial Snow White Casting
NEWS

Sheffield Theatres Announce Initial Snow White Casting

Today, Sheffield Theatres and Evolution Productions announce the principal cast for Snow White at the Lyceum Theatre. Catherine Tyldesley (Strictly Come Dancing, Coronation Street) will be playing The Wicked Queen. Catherine joins legendary Dame Damian Williams, with further principal cast and ensemble to be announced later this year. Once again, the show will be written and directed by Paul Hendy (Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella) and produced by the award winning, Evolution Productions, the same team behind last year's fabulous panto, Beauty and the Beast. As always, the Lyceum Panto promises to be top-quality family entertainment packed with laugh-out-loud thrills, stunning costumes, lavish sets, fabulous music and all your favourite jokes. Damian Williams is celebrating his sev...
Sleeping Beauty – Sheffield Lyceum
Yorkshire & Humber

Sleeping Beauty – Sheffield Lyceum

Sheffield Theatres and Evolution Pantomimes have a rich reputation for their pantomimes, and this year’s edition is once again Damian Williams and his cohort on their finest form. Superbly directed by Paul Hendy, this is a tour-de-force of panto, and ultimately panto at its finest. Titular character Hannah Everest holds the role very well and is a very stable anchor for both the narrative and comedy within. The same can be said for her royal romantic counterpart played by Dominic Sibanda, who brings an appropriately friendly and fun sensibility to his role whilst playing the melodrama effectively. Janine Duvitski’s Fairy Moonbeam is at her best deployed in comedic ensemble sections, and Lucas Rush’s evil Carabosse delves delightfully into devilishly camp malevolence. Ben Thornton’s exci...
Sheffield Theatres announce Sleeping Beauty Casting
NEWS

Sheffield Theatres announce Sleeping Beauty Casting

Sheffield Theatres and Evolution Pantomimes announce a new cast member for Sleeping Beauty at the Lyceum Theatre: comedy great, Janine Duvitski. Catherine Tyldesley has made the choice not to appear in panto at this time due to personal reasons, and Sheffield Theatres and Evolution Pantomimes fully support her in this decision.  Janine Duvitski will be playing the role of Fairy. Best known for the memorable role of Jacqueline Stewart in Benidorm, Janine is adored by British comedy audiences. Janine will be joining Sheffield’s legendary Dame, Damian Williams, alongside actor, presenter and comic Ben Thornton (Cinderella), Lucas Rush (Damian’s Pop-Up Panto!, Rock of Ages), Hannah Everest (Gypsy) and Dominic Sibanda (Hairspray). The cast will be supported by a brilliant ensemble. ...
York Theatre Royal pantomime goes uber local
NEWS

York Theatre Royal pantomime goes uber local

As venues are still locked down York Theatre Royal is taking its pantomime around all of the historic city’s 21 wards during December and January The Travelling Pantomime’s pop-up show will be staged in non-traditional locations from community halls to social clubs and sports centres with all venues and performances adhering to current government guidance on COVID-19. In an unusual twist audiences will have a say in which of three of the most popular pantomime titles they want to see - Dick Whittington, Jack and the Beanstalk or Aladdin. Award-winning pantomime writer Paul Hendy is writing three scripts with the actors performing whichever show the audience choose on the night. The Travelling Pantomime will feature a cast of local actors, including entertainer and magician Jos...