Robin Askwith stars in Aladdin this Christmas!

It's almost that time of year again, oh yes it is! Now's the time to book your tickets if you want to see some of your favourite actors treading the boards this festive season.The legend that is Robin Askwith is back in panto this Christmas! The star of the Confessions films, Carry On Girls and Bless This House to name but a few, will be back in the UK to entertain audiences.

With over 40,000 theatregoers attending pantomime at Darlington Hippodrome each festive season, it's never too early to book for this year's show starring television personality, presenter and choreographer Louie Spence alongside last year's returning stars, Zoe Birkett, Eric Potts and Liam Mellor, and Robin Askwith who completes the line-up as evil villain Abanazar. 

Packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients audiences expect, Aladdin features laugh out loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses. Follow Aladdin, his brother Wishee Washee and of course his mother Widow Twankey, on a spectacular adventure. Expect flying carpets, a wish-granting genie, an evil sorcerer and a lamp-full of laughs, so book your magic carpet ride to old Peking to the magical pantomime Aladdin! 

With generous discounts for groups, concessions and special rates for schools available for selected performances, book your seats today to ensure you get the best seats.

Aladdin will play at the Darlington Hippodrome from Saturday 8th December until Sunday 6th January, with both matinee and evening performances. 

You can book your tickets here: Darlington Hippodrome Website

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

Carrying On in Panto in 2017!

 

It's almost that time of year again, oh yes it is! I'm sorry to be blogging about panto in October as it brings all things Christmas that little bit closer but now's the time to book your tickets if you want to see one of your Carry On favourites treading the boards this festive season.

First up is Coronation Street and Carry On actress Sherrie Hewson who will be starring in the Theatre Royal Nottingham's production of Beauty and the Beast. The show will run from Saturday 9 December until Sunday 14 January 2018. Nottingham’s own Sherrie Hewson will lead the cast as Mrs Potty having previous presented Loose Women and appeared on Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Crossroads and the Carry On films.  She also released her first novel The Tannery and her best-selling autobiography Behind the Laughter before leaving Loose Women in 2016.

Beauty and the Beast’s executive producer Jonathan Kiley said: “We’re very much looking forward to bringing the magic of Beauty and the Beast to the Theatre Royal Nottingham this year. To have the wonderful Sherrie, and the hilarious Andrew and Ben, leading our cast; we know this year’s production is a must see show.”

You can book tickets here 

 

Next up is the ever popular Robin Askwith who will be starring in Jack and The Beanstalk at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-On-Sea. With a spectacular 3D sequence transporting audiences to the Giant's magical kingdom, larger-than-life special effects, huge laughs, magnificent musical numbers and lashings of audience participation, Essex's own Lee Mead and Stacey Solomon, together with comedian Bobby Davro and actor Robin Askwith will deliver another spectacular Southend pantomime of giant proportions.

Get your tickets now to be sure of joining in the fun. With only a three-week season, to delay could be a giant mistake! The show will run from Saturday 16 December until Sunday 7 January 2018. You can buy tickets here

 

And finally, the evergreen Anita Harris will be starring in a production of Snow White at the Kings Theatre, Portsmouth. Magic Mirror in my hand which is the fairest pantomime in the land? Why, Snow White at the Kings Theatre of course!  

Join us for traditional family pantomime fun with Snow White, her charming Prince, the Wicked Queen and 7 dependable dwarfs with lavish sets, wonderful costumes, a surprise or two and all the cheers, jokes and jeers you would expect.
Following our record-breaking production of Jack & The Beanstalk 2016/17 tickets are selling fast. Discounted rates for Groups of 20+ and special rates for schools are also available. You will not want to miss this Christmas treat for all the family! The show will run from Tuesday 5 December until 1 January 2018. You can book tickets here



You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan on Facebook and on Instagram

Carrying On in Panto in 2017!

 

It's almost that time of year again, oh yes it is! I'm sorry to be blogging about panto in October as it brings all things Christmas that little bit closer but now's the time to book your tickets if you want to see one of your Carry On favourites treading the boards this festive season.

First up is Coronation Street and Carry On actress Sherrie Hewson who will be starring in the Theatre Royal Nottingham's production of Beauty and the Beast. The show will run from Saturday 9 December until Sunday 14 January 2018. Nottingham’s own Sherrie Hewson will lead the cast as Mrs Potty having previous presented Loose Women and appeared on Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Crossroads and the Carry On films.  She also released her first novel The Tannery and her best-selling autobiography Behind the Laughter before leaving Loose Women in 2016.

Beauty and the Beast’s executive producer Jonathan Kiley said: “We’re very much looking forward to bringing the magic of Beauty and the Beast to the Theatre Royal Nottingham this year. To have the wonderful Sherrie, and the hilarious Andrew and Ben, leading our cast; we know this year’s production is a must see show.”

You can book tickets here 

 

Next up is the ever popular Robin Askwith who will be starring in Jack and The Beanstalk at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-On-Sea. With a spectacular 3D sequence transporting audiences to the Giant's magical kingdom, larger-than-life special effects, huge laughs, magnificent musical numbers and lashings of audience participation, Essex's own Lee Mead and Stacey Solomon, together with comedian Bobby Davro and actor Robin Askwith will deliver another spectacular Southend pantomime of giant proportions.

Get your tickets now to be sure of joining in the fun. With only a three-week season, to delay could be a giant mistake! The show will run from Saturday 16 December until Sunday 7 January 2018. You can buy tickets here

 

And finally, the evergreen Anita Harris will be starring in a production of Snow White at the Kings Theatre, Portsmouth. Magic Mirror in my hand which is the fairest pantomime in the land? Why, Snow White at the Kings Theatre of course!  

Join us for traditional family pantomime fun with Snow White, her charming Prince, the Wicked Queen and 7 dependable dwarfs with lavish sets, wonderful costumes, a surprise or two and all the cheers, jokes and jeers you would expect.
Following our record-breaking production of Jack & The Beanstalk 2016/17 tickets are selling fast. Discounted rates for Groups of 20+ and special rates for schools are also available. You will not want to miss this Christmas treat for all the family! The show will run from Tuesday 5 December until 1 January 2018. You can book tickets here



You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan on Facebook and on Instagram

The Art of the Pantomime Dame with Terry Scott

 

Here's a lovely little film from way back in 1982, featuring the late great Terry Scott as he prepares for his role as a Pantomime Dame. Terry, a regular in panto for decades, was a notorious perfectionist when it came to his performances both on screen and stage and this video gives a precious behind the scenes look at his preparations.

It's unusual to hear Terry talking as himself as opposed to the outlandish buffoons he usually played in the likes of Terry and June and the Carry On films. He was, by all accounts, a legendary Dame and was very much into preserving the art of the tradition British panto. A workaholic, Terry would put himself through the rigorous panto schedule every festive season, even in his heyday as a top television star.

After Terry and June was axed by the BBC in 1987, Terry threw himself into his stage work with renewed gusto, working flat out on summer seasons, farces and of course, annual pantos up and down the country. Even when ill health began to take its toll on Terry, he continued with this relentless schedule, pretty much right up until the end of his life in 1994. He frequently appeared in stage productions with his television partner and crime, June Whitfield. He also reunited in several shows with his Up The Jungle love interest, Jacki Piper. Jacki has often told stories of how the very poorly Terry would spend the entire day resting only to get through each evening's performance with an incredible burst of energy.

Always a total professional, Terry Scott obviously lived for his work. I hope you enjoy this little programme.

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and also Facebook

What A Christmas Carry On with Sherrie!

Last month I brought you the news that Carry On actress Anita Harris would be appearing in pantomime this year. Well, another wonderful Carry On actor will be treading the boards this Christmas. Sherrie Hewson will be starring in Snow White at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester. 

Sherrie appeared as Carol in the classic 1975 Carry On film, Carry On Behind, opposite Carol Hawkins, Jack Douglas and Windsor Davies. She also went on to appear in several episodes of the ATV Carry On Laughing television series later the same year.

These days Sherrie is most well known for long running roles in the likes of Coronation Street, Emmerdale and the ITV sitcom Benidorm. She has also been a regular panelist on the ITV chat show Loose Women for over ten years. Sherrie is a fans favourite on Twitter and even follows me! 

Sherrie's panto, Snow White, will be running at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester from Saturday 12 December 2015 through until Monday 4 January 2016. Further information can be found on the theatre's website.

If you go along to see the show, do let me know how you get on! 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

What a Christmas Carry On with Anita!

Carry On actress, singer and all round lovely lady Anita Harris is taking to the boards in a festive pantomime this Christmas! Anita will be appearing in the classic panto Cinderella at The King's Theatre, Southsea, Portsmouth from early next month.

Anita is a showbiz legend, having enjoyed a long and highly successful career as a pop singer and star of musical theatre for decades. She also, of course, starred in two classic Carry Ons - Follow That Camel and Doctor. It was great to see Anita back on our screens earlier this year, taking part in the brilliant Carry On Forever documentary on ITV.

I also had the great pleasure of meeting Anita at the London Film Convention in September and I'm pleased to say she was every bit as gorgeous and welcoming as I'd hoped she would be. 

Cinderella will be playing at The King's Theatre from 8th December through until 3rd January 2016. So if you are in the local area why not pop along and celebrate Christmas with a Carry On legend?

Full details of the pantomime can be found at The King's Theatre Website and you can also check out Anita's website here.

If you go along to Cinderella, do get in touch - I'd love to hear about it!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Carrying On in Panto

The Carry On films are often thought of as the pantomimes of the cinema. They involve weird and wonderful characters, locations and costumes. They feature outlandish performances from superb comedy actors. They appeal to children and adults on different levels. 

It is therefore not surprising that so many of the Carry On actors regularly appeared in pantomimes during their long and varied theatrical careers. As we are well into panto season, I thought I would do a quick run down of the many Carry On stars who have appeared in panto over the years.

Let's start off with my own favourite, the glorious Joan Sims. Although the latter half of Joan's glittering career would see her steer clear of live theatre, preferring the film studio or television set, Joan actually started her professional life with a panto. In the early 1950s she appeared opposite Stanley Baxter in The Happy Ha'penny, a traditional festive pantomime at Glasgow's legendary Citizen's Theatre. Joan would also end her stage career with a role in panto. In 1984/85 she took on the role of Fairy Sweetcorn in Jack and The Beenstalk at Richmond Theatre. Her co-stars included fellow Carry On actors Kenneth Connor and Suzanne Danielle.

You might not think he'd be a natural at it, but Kenneth Williams has also appeared in pantomime. Away back in 1958, Kenneth co-starred in Cinderella at the London Coliseum alongside Tommy Steele, Jimmy Edwards, Yana and his regular Round The Horne and Carry On colleague Betty Marsden. Tommy would return to the world of pantomime with the lead role in the Palladium's 1969 offering Dick Whittington, which co-starred regular Carry On faces Kenneth Connor and Alan Curtis. 

In 1973, comedy legend and Carry On guest star Frankie Howerd appeared alongside original Carry On girl Dora Bryan in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Palladium. What a cast! The pair had worked together some years before this on the film The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery. 

The most famous Carry On blonde of them all, the gorgeous unstoppable Barbara Windsor has a strong pedigree in Christmas pantos dating all the way back to 1950 when she appeared as one of the Aida Foster "Babes" in Sleeping Beauty at the Golders Green Hippodrome in North London. She went on to play Dandini in Cinderella at Norwich in 1971,  appearing again in Cinderella the following year in Liverpool (co-starring Bill Maynard), and then headlining in Dick Whittington at Richmond in 1975 in a cast featuring Jack Douglas, Una Stubbs and Jon Pertwee.

Barbara would also team up with Terry Scott for Aladdin at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham in 1977-78. Many other panto appearances followed during the 1980s although fans would have to wait until 2010 for another Barbara Windsor panto. Following her departure from EastEnders, Babs made a triumphant return to the stage with a starring role in the Bristol Hippodrome's version of Dick Whittington. 

Barbara also appeared in an alternative "adult" panto many years before, at the legendary Winston's Nightclub in London's West End. One of her young co-stars was future Corrie queen and panto legend Amanda Barrie. Amanda is another panto pro with many roles under her belt including Jack and the Beanstalk (2006); and most famously as the Fairy Godmother in four different versions of Cinderella between 2007 and 2011. 

Charles Hawtrey infamously grew to rely on pantomime seasons for regular work following his exit from the Carry On films in 1972. For several years in the mid-1970s he appeared in pantomime productions in regional theatres such as Snow White at Rhyl in 1970 and again at Nottingham in 1974. He would make his final pantomime and indeed final stage appearance in the winter of 1979.

1966 saw Carry On male juvenile lead and all round entertainer Jim Dale lead the cast in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Ashcroft Theatre in Croydon. Fellow Carry On Cowboy co-star Bernard Bresslaw also took the lead in a classic panto at the London Palladium some years before in 1958. Bresslaw appeared in Sleeping Beauty alongside fellow comedy heroes in Charlie Drake and Bruce Forsyth. Bernard claimed Sleeping Beauty was his favourite stage role. 

Hattie Jacques was a legendary presence in many a pantomime at the famous Players Theatre in London. During the late 1940s and 1950s Hattie was highly prolific in the old Victorian music hall. She was acclaimed for her role as Fairy Godmother and made appearances in many pantos including Babes in the Wood, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.    Another Players Theatre alumni, Patsy Rowlands, went on to co-star with the legendary Danny La Rue in Mother Goose at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in 1984. Patsy replaced an ill Peggy Mount a short notice.

Another legendary pantomime featuring a host of familiar Carry On faces was Cinderella at the London Palladium in 1966-67. Starring Cliff Richard as Buttons, the panto featured terrific support from Terry Scott as an ugly sister, Jack Douglas as Baron Hardup and Peter Gilmore as The Prince. 

Carry On leading man Sid James also starred in a magnificent panto at the London Palladium in 1965. He joined regular co-star Kenneth Connor as the pair of robbers in Babes in the Wood in a show that also featured Arthur Askey, Roy Kinnear and Frank Ifield. 

On a sad note, the wonderful, much loved Peter Butterworth took his final bow in pantomime in January 1979. After a performance in Coventry, he returned to his hotel and suffered a massive heart attack. He died at the absurdly early  age of just 59. A great talent gone.

Of course, Carry On stars are still appearing in pantomime in 2015. As I've already blogged the lovely Sherrie Hewson is appearing in Leicester this year while the gorgeous Anita Harris is in Portsmouth.

I hope you have enjoyed this trip down memory lane. If you are going to a panto this year, I hope you have a great time! 


You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan  

What a Christmas Carry On with Sherrie!

Last week I brought you the news that Carry On actress Anita Harris would be appearing in pantomime this year. Well, another wonderful Carry On actor will be treading the boards this Christmas. Sherrie Hewson will be starring in Snow White at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester. 

Sherrie appeared as Carol in the classic 1975 Carry On film, Carry On Behind, opposite Carol Hawkins, Jack Douglas and Windsor Davies. She also went on to appear in several episodes of the ATV Carry On Laughing television series later the same year.

These days Sherrie is most well known for long running roles in the likes of Coronation Street, Emmerdale and the ITV sitcom Benidorm. She has also been a regular panelist on the ITV chat show Loose Women for over ten years. Sherrie is a fans favourite on Twitter and even follows me! 

Sherrie's panto, Snow White, will be running at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester from Saturday 12 December 2015 through until Monday 4 January 2016. Further information can be found on the theatre's website.

If you go along to see the show, do let me know how you get on! 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going.

What a Christmas Carry On with Anita!

Carry On actress, singer and all round lovely lady Anita Harris is taking to the boards in a festive pantomime this Christmas! Anita will be appearing in the classic panto Cinderella at The King's Theatre, Southsea, Portsmouth from early next month.

Anita is a showbiz legend, having enjoyed a long and highly successful career as a pop singer and star of musical theatre for decades. She also, of course, starred in two classic Carry Ons - Follow That Camel and Doctor. It was great to see Anita back on our screens earlier this year, taking part in the brilliant Carry On Forever documentary on ITV.

I also had the great pleasure of meeting Anita at the London Film Convention in September and I'm pleased to say she was every bit as gorgeous and welcoming as I'd hoped she would be. 

Cinderella will be playing at The King's Theatre from 8th December through until 3rd January 2016. So if you are in the local area why not pop along and celebrate Christmas with a Carry On legend?

Full details of the pantomime can be found at The King's Theatre Website and you can also check out Anita's website here.

If you go along to Cinderella, do get in touch - I'd love to hear about it!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going.

Share Your Christmas Carry On Memories

Christmas is almost upon us once again, or so the adverts would have us believe. This year, I have published many blogs either written by Carry On fans or with contributions from regular blog readers. These guest blogs and Fans of the Week posts have been a joy as I've been able to interact a great deal more with fellow fans.

This has got me thinking and I've come up with an idea for some festive blogs. I would really love you all to share your favourite Christmas Carry On memories with me. This can either be in the form of a full blog if you want to submit one, or just a couple of paragraphs to be included in a blog made up of comments from a range of people - completely up to you. What you choose to talk about is also up to you, but it must be festive in tone and obviously focus on the Carry On films and their stars.

Perhaps you have a favourite Carry On Christmas television special you would like to write about? Maybe you have fond memories of seeing a Carry On actor in pantomime? Or maybe you would just like to reminisce about the thrill of discovering which Carry On films would be in the Christmas telly schedules?

I'd love to share your Christmas Carry On memories on Carry On Blogging this festive season, so why not get your thinking caps on? You have plenty of time to write and submit your memories. When you do so, please email them to carryonfan15@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going.

What a Christmas Carry On with Sherrie!

Yesterday I brought you the news that Carry On actress Anita Harris would be appearing in pantomime this year. Well, another wonderful Carry On actor will be treading the boards this Christmas. Sherrie Hewson will be starring in Snow White at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester. 

Sherrie appeared as Carol in the classic 1975 Carry On film, Carry On Behind, opposite Carol Hawkins, Jack Douglas and Windsor Davies. She also went on to appear in several episodes of the ATV Carry On Laughing television series later the same year.

These days Sherrie is most well known for long running roles in the likes of Coronation Street, Emmerdale and the ITV sitcom Benidorm. She has also been a regular panelist on the ITV chat show Loose Women for over ten years. Sherrie is a fans favourite on Twitter and even follows me! 

Sherrie's panto, Snow White, will be running at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester from Saturday 12 December 2015 through until Monday 4 January 2016. Further information can be found on the theatre's website.

If you go along to see the show, do let me know how you get on! 

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going.

Share your Christmas Carry On Memories

Christmas is almost upon us once again, or so the adverts would have us believe. This year, I have published many blogs either written by Carry On fans or with contributions from regular blog readers. These guest blogs and Fans of the Week posts have been a joy as I've been able to interact a great deal more with fellow fans.

This has got me thinking and I've come up with an idea for some festive blogs. I would really love you all to share your favourite Christmas Carry On memories with me. This can either be in the form of a full blog if you want to submit one, or just a couple of paragraphs to be included in a blog made up of comments from a range of people - completely up to you. What you choose to talk about is also up to you, but it must be festive in tone and obviously focus on the Carry On films and their stars.

Perhaps you have a favourite Carry On Christmas television special you would like to write about? Maybe you have fond memories of seeing a Carry On actor in pantomime? Or maybe you would just like to reminisce about the thrill of discovering which Carry On films would be in the Christmas telly schedules?

I'd love to share your Christmas Carry On memories on Carry On Blogging this festive season, so why not get your thinking caps on? You have plenty of time to write and submit your memories. When you do so, please email them to carryonfan15@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you!

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan 

Clicking on the adverts helps to keep this blog going.