REHEARSALS are well under way for the first panto to be staged at The Witham since its multi-million pound revamp in 2013 – and the cast members are raring to go.
Rehearsals began at the Barnard Castle arts centre last week in preparation for a run that will see a dozen performances of Sleeping Beauty staged between December 17 and 24.
The cast met for the first time at the panto’s launch back in September and Johnny Wright, who plays Prince Daniel of Darlington, said he had enjoyed getting to know the others.
“I am house sharing with Phil, who plays the dame, and [fellow cast member] Greg. That’s what I love about doing tours and panto – you are all in it together. It becomes like family – you are all there for each other.”
A relative newcomer, this will be just his fourth panto. Johnny cut his teeth as a Bluecoat at Pontins in his native Blackpool, before spending six years as one third of boyband Frixion.
He is also part of a musical theatre show called The Jerseys Live, which celebrates the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
“Panto was something I always wanted to do – my first was Cinderella in Redcar,” he said.
“Playing a prince is amazing thing to do, especially for someone who was a nerdy 13-year-old.
“Panto is so colourful with such vibrant energy – you feel you are in a different world. I am still a big kid at heart.”
By contrast, Nik Grundison, who takes the role of Fairy Kindheart, is a panto veteran. Sleeping Beauty will be her 15th as a professional actor and 20th in all.
She explained that panto rehearsals were much more than simply about learning lines.
“We shout out all the bits the children in the audience as supposed to do. I always throw in a few curve balls – because that is just what kids do. When it comes to panto on stage, you don't know what's going to happen – you have just got to get on with it.”
The Sunderland-based actor added: “There is just something different about panto – the audience is really involved and can join in.
“I was doing an adult panto when the first lockdown happened and the thing I missed most was the noise and anticipation of going on stage – and the smell of the theatre,” she said.
Tickets are available for £12 and £10 (under 16s). Family tickets are also available. Full details of shows and times, along with online booking, are available at www. thewitham.org.uk or by calling the box office on 01833 631107.
