Happy Christmas to all Best of British readers. From The Wizard of Oz in 1969 (at The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford) to my last appearance in 2013 as Abanazar in Aladdin in Basingstoke, Christmas for me always meant pantomime. And the rewards were always a more than adequate recompense for the twice daily hard work; and here I am talking about the joy of sharing with families the one experience, apart from Christmas Day itself, that hopefully brings undiluted fun and happiness to the whole family.
I am probably being a sunny-eyed optimist in saying this, but the feeling of excitement that floods over the stage from the audience during the panto season is a rare and welcome reward for performers.
This year, in the lead up to Christmas, I am sharing a different Christmas story alongside my friend and Doctor Who veteran Peter Purves, who is Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol (crimeandcomedytheatrecompany.co.uk/ dates) with which we are touring theatres in the Midlands and southern England until the week before Christmas.
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Denne historien er fra December 2024-utgaven av Best of British.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Animal Magic
Hilary Middleton recalls a children's author whose tales are still enjoyed today
BACK IN TIME WITH COLIN BAKER
BoB's very own Time Lord prepares for an alternative to panto, recalls his early reading choices and having his scenes cut from two cutting edge comedies
Marvels in Miniature
Claire Saul learns about the exquisite works on display at a new exhibition being held at a historic Georgian mansion
The Last Post
Michael Foley witnessed the end of an era
The Box of Delights
Chris Hallam remembers how his Christmas 40 years ago was lit up by a magical television drama
The Queen of Stage and Screen
Chris Hallam pays tribute to actress Dame Maggie Smith
Other 07
Jonathan Sothcott looks at the seven Sir Roger Moore films that you should have in your collection
In the Best Possible Taste
Derek Lamb remembers the wireless wizardry of Kenny Everett
POSTCARD FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Bob Barton remembers a ghostly train journey, enjoys some wassailing and fulfils a long-held ambition of attending a lawnmower festival
MERCY MISSION
John Greeves recounts the remarkable exploits of Sunderland flying boat T9114
