NOW that summer is over, who can help but look forward to the festive season, especially when such an exciting cast is waiting in the wings for this year’s pantomime at Parr Hall.
The cast of this year’s pantomime, Cinderella, arrived in Warrington on Monday dressed head to toe in their sparkling costumes.
The beloved classic follows Cinderella as she heads to the ball and meets the loveable Prince Charming.
Leading lady, Charlotte Buxton, will take on the titular role alongside Philip Meeks and Matt McInnes as her Ugly Sisters.
Gearing up to take to the stage once again is Parr Hall favourite, Daniel Dean, who is back by popular demand for his third year.
“Panto is just a joyous thing to do,” he said.
“When you come back to a venue the really nice thing is that the kids that can remember you from the year before, so when you come out you start to build a reputation.
“So that’s why I love, if I can, to come back to the same venue a couple of times on the trot.
“It was all new to me, Warrington and Parr Hall, three years ago but I think over the last couple of years and this one coming up as well it’s going to be lovely.”
Daniel will play the lovable, if not a little hapless, Buttons and he’ll have no problem channelling his cheeky side once again.
“I’m just a bit of a cheeky chappy I think, the comedy just sort of naturally happens,” he said.
“When you’re doing panto comedy that cheeky chappy, that kid in me is always there. I still feel like that five or six-year-old boy at the panto myself.
“When I get into a Buttons outfit, I feel like that child again. What a great thing to be able to do and bring that magic of pantomime and that wonderful people to young children.”
No stranger to the arts, Daniel is on the executive committee of the Royal Variety and strongly believes that pantomime helps children discover the arts.
“The first time that I ever experience anything to do with theatre was panto,” he said.
“I remember thinking I want to be up there, what a magical place. It was just an amazing atmosphere, an amazing place to be.
“Panto is what introduces the young children and the next generation into theatre – it’s what’s going to keep theatre alive.”
Also waiting in the wings is professional quizzer and TV personality, Anne Hegerty who will be swapping her usually stern demeanour as The Governess on The Chase to play the Fairy Godmother.
“[Panto] is great fun, it’s a chance to do something that isn’t The Chase and it’s a chance to do something with a live audience on stage,” she said.
“It’s much more risky in a way because if you forget your lines three is no one there to remind you, there’s no chance of a retake.
“I just really do like it when there’s an audience. Of course an audience is a nuisance, it’s got to be got in and out and entertained, and you hear them being made to sing Sweet Caroline about fifty times until you want to kill someone, but at the same time it’s lovely.
“I just like the audience’s reaction and I’m told that in Warrington they are very responsive audiences so I’m looking forward to that.”
Stockton Heath’s own Chris Pym has returned to his hometown from London to take to the Parr Hall stage for the first time since he was a child.
“I’ve not been here since I was 11 and it’s still like I’ve never left,” he said.
“Before I walked in, I could picture what the smell was going to be like, and backstage it’s not changed at all. I’ve done loads of shows here, but not for the last 20 years.
“I can’t wait to perform.”
Warrington Parr Hall and Tony Peers Ltd production of Cinderella will open on January 3 at 7pm and will run until January 12.
An accessible performance for those with special educational needs or dementia will be held on Saturday January 11 at 9.45am, using lower volumes for sound effects and fewer flashing lights.
There will also be a performance on January 12 at 11am featuring a British Sign Language interpreter.
Tickets start at £7 and can be bought on Parr Hall’s website or by calling 442345.
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