DMH Cinderella Press Launch

 

What a fun afternoon!

I was lucky enough to be invited along to the Press Launch for this year’s DeMontfort Hall Pantomime, Cinderella.

Once again Imagine Theatre are heading up the Christmas entertainment for families of all ages at Leicester’s premier concert venue.

Judging by the mayhem during the photo shoot this year’s cast are going to have a hoot.

My first sit down chat was with just-signed Madison Swann fresh from appearing in Tony Blair The Musical and a 2.5 year run in The Book of Mormon in London’s West End. Madison is playing the Fairy Godmother in her very first pantomime. She has done stints in Disneyland Paris as a performer so working with a raucous audience of children doesn’t scare her. Also her experience working as a nanny will stand her in good stead. She is just grateful that she can give them back to their parents after the show!

Next on my list was New Zealand comic Jarred Christmas returning for a second year as Buttons. Well known to UK audiences for his stand-up tours and appearances on TV panel shows, Christmas is a big, cuddly bundle of laughs and was hilariously disruptive in this afternoon’s photo shoot. After last year’s subdued panto due to Covid Jarred is looking forward to abandoning the social distancing that was necessary. While the main characters of Cinderella and The Fairy Godmother are essential for pushing the story along Jarred revels in the freedom that the comedy characters have to just have a laugh. We have to watch out for his gusset issues. Last year he split his trousers on opening night and, so far, that wardrobe malfunction occurred on the photoshoot. But that may not be the end of it for this year!

This year’s star turns, for many, will be the dance duo brothers AJ and Curtis Pritchard. Following on from the success of their appearance in Imagine Theatre’s Cinderella last year in Wolverhampton the boys are again playing Prince Charming and Dandini to Evie Pickerill’s Cinders. A perfect fit for this couple of jokers who spend so much time ribbing each other. AJ as the Prince is small but perfectly formed while Curtis is much more like a big old Labrador and quite the practical joker. Their onstage high jinks promise to be hilarious.

And as if that is not enough from the boys fans will have the opportunity to get tickets for An Evening with … on Friday 30^th December or for Meet’n’Greets on Tuesday 20^th, Friday 23^rd and Tuesday 27^th December. These extra tickets are only available to book when buying regular show tickets. Check the website for details.

Saving the best til last I sat down for a chat with the panto legend that is Martin Ballard. Giving us his Dame Penny in his 31^st year in panto, Martin is hoping that last year’s leg injury will not reoccur and he can do every performance again. Up until recently Martin was a stalwart of BBC Radio Leicester but, having been offered redundancy, he has been able to take on a lot more interesting freelance work. But Radio Leicester hasn’t seen the last of him. He keeps popping up with various shows. We soon got onto chatting about how much he missed last year’s Sleeping Beauty and how important he thinks pantomime is for introducing youngsters to the magic of theatre. He is also passionate about it being a great training ground for young wannabe actors to gain theatrical experience.

The booking office is open for tickets to see Cinderella which runs from 10th December to 2^nd January. Don’t forget tickets for the extra events with AJ and Curtis are only available to main show ticketholders and must be booked in advance.

https://www.demontforthall.co.uk/event/cinderella/

Linus Karp interview

I had a very lovely interview with the talented Mr Linus Karp, writer, producer and actor in a comedic parody of the movie Cats, How to Live a Jellicle Life, currently touring the country (linktr.ee/jellicle).

First up I wanted to know what exactly was a ‘jellicle life’.

In the film it is never actually specified but jellicle cats can do everything, they can fly through the air, somersault, bounce, anything positive and that is what the show is about, being funny and positive. Come along for jellicle laughs, jellicle ‘dance’ (sort of) and jellicle PowerPoint (yes, really)

So who is the show aimed at?

Originally it was thought it would appeal to a younger audience who would appreciate memes and cultural references. But it seems lots of older people love it as well. I wrote the show on the basis that it would be something I wanted to see. It turns out a lot of people do as well.

Do we need to have seen the film? Are you advocating masochism?

LOL No you don’t need to have seen the film although if you have it is even better. Either way you will get life lessons from the 2019 film.

I saw the film for the first time last week and, I have to say, it is nowhere near as bad as some people say.

It is one of those films that you either love or hate for some reason. It was a critical flop but is rapidly becoming a cult movie.

Have your parents seen the show?

Not live but they watched  an early streamed version. They live in Sweden so getting over to visit is problematic at the moment. They are hoping to get over for the end of the tour (11 March in London so far).

Which leads me on to the next question. Why are you streaming it?

It is exactly for those who can’t get to a live version for whatever reason. There are still a lot of people who don’t feel safe going into a crowded venue or are isolating. This gives them a chance to see the show and have a good laugh

Why is your production company called Awkward Productions?

First up I love the word awkward. It is a funny word and sums me up. I am awkward but, like being different, being awkward is something to embrace. Being a foreigner in a foreign country (Linus is Swedish) adds to that. (But his accent does give a delicious diction to the way he talks and seeing awkward on stage can be very funny.) It all comes back to being Jellicle, being positive.

Is it true you can buy a Jellicle Hoodie?

Yes. We first made a few as a promotional thing and a company picked up on the idea and they are on sale now in a variety of colours (linktr.ee/jellicle)

If you were to be turned into a cat for the day what would you want your super power to be? A) Being able to fall from a great height safely or B) Being able to lick your own bum?

LOL I think I would have to go with option A

And a final question. As the Guardian has picked up on, are there too many penis jokes?

Can there ever be too many penis jokes? Actually I don’t think there are that many penis jokes in the show. But you will have to come along and see for yourself.

I certainly will.

How To Live A Jellicle Life is like catnip. Irresistable.

 

How To Live A Jellicle Life is touring nationwide and spends two nights at Upstairs at The Globe in Leicester on 16/17^th February 2022 as part of The Leicester Comedy Festival. Limited tickets available at linktr.ee/jellicle