Try as you Might - You'll Never Please Everyone!

"What's really fun is seeing mothers bringing their daughters to the shows. And the best part is the mothers know they don't have to worry about sexual innuendo in the songs. The shows are family shows." {Peter Noone}

The wonderful thing about Pantomime, and the Guildford show in particular, is that although there may be some innuendo and a few near the knuckle jokes, parents can always sit comfortably in the knowledge that their children won't be asking any awkward questions after the show.  If an innuendo is used, it should be able to entertain the adults, whilst going over the childrens heads.  

We have a section in this show, which has the Great British Bake Off as its theme.  We talk about different types of pastry, for example Shoe or Choux pastry.  A good example of the play on words was "Puff Pastry", which followed one of our ensemble, Tayler, crossing the stage with a quite flamboyant walk.  

We checked the gag with a few people before it even went to print, just to make sure people wouldn't get offended.  The decision was made that it was funny - and unlikely to offend many people.  It wasn't until we got into the theatre however that we found that one or two of the cast were unhappy with the gag.  This highlights how different sense of humours can vary.  

We have now, in an effort to make people more comfortable changed the line to "Pastry for a mince pie" or Mince By!  The audience already know what the gag should be, so this does come as a little twist, which is quite clever, however I still prefer the original.  Obviously in pleasing one person, you upset another. 

These differences in humour can be seen from audience to audience.  If we have a young audience they giggle and squeal at the slapstick, more senior adults laugh at the more satirical references and then the blokey blokey dad LOVE the innuendo.  Hopefully at Guildford, we've found a balance this year to please 'almost' everyone!

JB

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Gerry Tebbutt - An Asset to Pantomime: The Big 40!

Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.

{David Frost}

 

Gerry Tebbutt has been a firm fixture at the Yvonne Arnaud theatre in Guildford for over a decade now.  Having first being associated with the Arnaud in 1967, in the musical "The Station Master's Daughter" this is his thirteenth panto at the YAT! Along with his wife Jill Francis, he directs and choreographs the Pantomimes, as well as occasionally starring!

With a milestone birthday, just around the corner, Gerry shows no signs of slowing down... thankfully!!  A familiar face to many in Guildford, due not only to his panto connections but his roles at both GSA and more recently PPA, the YAT panto would be missing a vital link of the chain without him.  

The 2014/15 season marks Gerry's fortieth Pantomime, and I was lucky enough to catch him for a little chat between rehearsals, where he revelled in telling me about his love of Pantomime, some of his favourite memories and why he thinks the art form is vitally important.

So Gerry.... Where and when was your first Pantomime?  And who topped the bill?

My first professional pantomime was Dick Whittington at the Old Colchester Repertory Theatre in 1965 – long before the new Mercury Theatre Colchester was built – although many years later I returned to the Mercury to direct and choreograph several pantomimes. The stars were regular rep favourites with Colchester audiences – Paddy Ward played Dame and his wife Deddie Davies played Dick. This was probably when I first heard lines like “twelve o clock and still no Dick” or “how I loved my Dick – he was so big and strong”.  The Old Repertory Theatre was housed in what was called the Albert Hall in the High Street and as there were no toilets backstage you had to use the front of house facilities once the audience was seated. Unfortunately the town buses stopped outside the theatre and was the usual stop off for bus drivers and conductors to spend a penny and yes, there were conductors in those days! So on any given day during the panto season you would find yourself in full make up and sequined costume probably wedged between a burly driver or conductor trying to complete the business in hand and arrange oneself without appearing too obvious. One looked straight ahead and no words were exchanged! I love panto programmes and fliers and I’ve posted the Dick Whittington programme below – look how much it cost. Sixpence in old money!

Interestingly and probably a long forgotten piece of theatre history were the big Scottish pantomimes produced by Howard and Wyndham who once owned most of Scotland’s theatres. They had their own form of pantomimes centred around a character called Jamie. There was The World of Jamie and I appeared  in one called Love For Jamie at His Majesty’s Aberdeen in 1966. They were very spectacular and I remember the entire company singing The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen and wearing tartan for the walkdown or as it used to be called the “who’s best”. A year later and the programme cost one shilling!

 

Well I certainly love the title of that one, obviously I'm biased, but what is your favourite pantomime story?

I think it has to be Cinderella!

And without a moment of hesitation!!  Why Cinderella? 

Well... Cinderella is the basis for ninety per cent of musicals. Girl meets boy, girl loses boy, girl marries boy the only difference is the journey the boy and girl take, the songs they sing and the people they meet on their way. Think Laurie and Curly in Oklahoma or Sandy and Danny in Grease! 

A close favourite however would be Mother Goose which I’ve done five times but again this is a title that is gradually disappearing although Hackney Empire are doing a production of it this year – so that is on my list of must see. 

Same here.  I've never actually seen it on stage, and I'd love to see Clive Rowe as Dame.  It is great to see some of the older titles creeping back in isn't it?

Absolutely...Other shows that I’ve done that have almost disappeared would be Goody Two Shoes, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Humpty Dumpty, Babes In The Wood and Robinson Crusoe.  I've included a couple of the Show Posters for such productions.

Well hopefully these stories may be having a bit of a resurgence;  especially with the amateur circuit.  Surely the direction of a show has a lot to do with a shows success?  How many productions have you directed?

As director and or choreographer I think it works out at 35 – sometimes I directed, choreographed and appeared – in he early days of course I was in the chorus.

 

It must be quite difficult as a director/performer not to think "I could do it better!" So what is more enjoyable performing or directing?

I love performing but I actually get more joy out of directing. There is nothing more exciting than working on a script – and particularly a panto script – seeing what works and what doesn’t. For me the telling of the story is my number one priority and the one liners, comedy routines and running gags are an added bonus. I’ve now done fourteen pinto’s for the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford where the process starts really early. Scenery is discussed as early as the end of January along with meetings with the costume designer, auditions for the babes and ensemble takes place around June by which time there will have been many script meetings with the management of the theatre, casting will be constantly on everyone’s mind and the publicity department will be looking for new ways to promote the forthcoming show. The main characters in the cast would be required to do a photo shoot in 

costume for the fliers and by early September nearly everything would be in place for the panto launch.   This is a picture from this years shoot, although three of the seven aren't actually performing with us.

So although for some panto means Christmas, for many of us panto lives with us throughout the year. A lovely companion to have! How lucky we are at the Yvonne Arnaud to have brand new costumes every year. Of course many companies send out sets and costumes year after year after year. In fact I have a picture of myself wearing a costume in a Tom Arnold pantomime that Jill wore twelve years later – long before we met. By that time the costume had almost deteriorated!

So you must have met a few famous faces along the way... who is your favourite panto star that you have worked with, both performing and directing?

I had the great pleasure of working with one of Britain’s best loved but now long forgotten panto Dames. His name was George Lacey although I only worked with him once in a revue called Cockles and Champagne but sadly not in pantomime.  George played Mrs. Lovett and I played Anthony in a one act version of Sweeney Todd called Short Back and Sides. I’ve posted a picture of George and myself in that production.

There is a terrific programme about George on you tube called The Art of the Panto Dame.   [http://youtu.be/HyPEynmgcRo] I once choreographed Barbara Windsor playing Cinderella at the Odeon Theatre Golders Green – sadly the Golders Green Hippodrome had been converted into a television studio by then – but I do remember Miss. Windsor creating a stir after the dress rehearsal and refusing to wear any of the costumes and locking herself in her dressing room until someone solved the problem!  As it was traditional in those days to open pantomimes on Christmas Eve the management had to beg Bermans and Nathans – the costumiers – to open up early on Christmas Eve morning in order to get a new wardrobe for the star. It was worth it and although it might seem odd casting now she was terrific. 

I also loved working with Freddie Frinton – a notable comic -  in Robinson Crusoe at the Lyceum Sheffield – opened Christmas Eve and played through to the first week in April –  Freddie did a wonderful rendition of Nobody Loves A Fairy When She’s Forty and of course his famous Dinner for One routine. If you haven’t seen it it’s out there on you tube and apparently still very popular viewing over the Christmas period. 

Eve Boswell – a major singing star in the 60’s played Aladdin for me at the New Theatre, Hull – but she had it written into her contract that she would perform her act. So we get to the cave scene at the end of act one and she goes into twenty five minutes singing all her hit songs. What “Sugarbush” and “Pickin’ a Chicken” had to do with the plot no one ever knew – certainly the younger element of the audience didn’t – so at that point in the show we referred to the auditorium as the departure lounge as it seemed a natural loo break for the young’uns while Eve was doing her thing!

 

Forty Pantomimes is a huge milestone Gerry, (many Congratulations of course) but out of the forty "what, where and when" was your favourite to have been involved with.  And who starred?

This is a really difficult question to answer. Over the years all sorts of celebrity’s have turned up doing panto’s – one notable current pop star informed me on day one of rehearsals that he "didn’t act, sing or dance and wasn’t prepared to do any of those things anyway" – even though he was being paid a fortune. Unlike Nigel Havers, a major screen star, who arrived on day one prepared to do anything that was asked of him, involved himself in the process, learnt steps and songs with ease, loved sending himself up and daily arrived with delicious cakes for the company from a very expensive Chelsea bakery! 

I was really looking forward to working with Jack Wild (The Artful Dodger in the film of Oliver) in Cinderella at Greenwich Theatre but due to a drug addiction his speech had become slurred and audiences had difficulty understanding what he was saying. He was a lovely man and passed away shortly after the end of the run.   

I love working with people that understand, appreciate and promote pantomime as an art form. It’s been a joy watching Jamie Brook, who first played small roles for me moving up to becoming the lead comic and handling it with such ease. I’m sure there are many others out there like Jamie who lives and breathes panto – and thankfully these are the people that will secure it as a true art form and continue the tradition.

 

Now we have to mention your lovely wife and partner in crime!! How many pantomimes have you worked on with Jill?

I think this about my fifteenth panto with Jill – our first together was Mother Goose at the Theatre Royal Bury St. Edmonds where Jill played the goose!

The BIG question then Gerry, what IS Pantomime to you?

I like to think that panto to me is a wonderful way to attract young audiences to the theatre – and hopefully it will be something that stays with them. I remember being taken as a child to see Margaret Lockwood – a huge British film star – playing Peter Pan at the Old Scala Theatre in Tottenham Court Road (now demolished) and I know that it was a turning point in my life as more than anything I wanted to be part of that magic and looking back I realise how fortunate I’ve been in spending nearly fifty years in theatre doing something that I love and that I care passionately about. If any of that rubs off on young people who want to follow that dream or indeed young people who want to spend a life of theatre going then it will have all been worth it.

 

And finally Gerry, I'm going to ask this even though I think I already know your answer: Do you ever bore of Pantomime?

No never – I think it is part of our heritage and something that will continue to grow and evolve as it has done

since it was first invented by the ancient Greeks! Of course over the years I have seen many changes

particularly with theatre playbills and I leave you with some of my favourites that I’ve been involved in.

I won't mention that I (regrettably) wasn't born for most of them!! 

A massive thank you to Gerry for his time and such a wonderful insight!  Gerry continues to be the Head of Musical Theatre at PPA in Guildford and his current production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs can be seen at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford until January 4th 2015!

We leave this post with a picture of the man himself with this years Wicked Queen Josie Lawrence and our delightful 'Spirit of the Mirror' and National treasure June Whitfield! 

JB 
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Exclusive Sneak Peak.....

I thought I'd share with you a quick snap taken during the show of the other day!! I'm afraid I can't tell you too much about what is going on.... But believe me this is a scene you won't forget!!! 

Of course this is me and my Chum PG aka, Nursey Nora!

I've been having a lovely relaxing day off here in Chilly Lewisham.  Lots of TV, hot tea and steaming!  The old voice is a bit gravely after such a hard week and all the adrenaline of the opening weekend, so hopefully, I'll be nice and rested ready for the Press Night tomorrow!!

Goodnight everyone... especially all of those 'darling' critics that may be joining us!!  Wink wink!

JB x

An Actress Prepares!!

I'd much rather be a woman than a man.  Woman can cry, they can wear cute clothes and they're the first to be rescued off sinking ships.  {Gilda Radner}

It's only Eagle Radio and Guildford's favourite DJ.... "Nursey Peter Nora Gordon Crumble!" 

Come and see "Nora get here Crumble on!"  by getting your tickets here.... www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

KHH - Both the Naughtiest & Loveliest Man!

I've mentioned before, in previous years they joy of working with Mr Kit Hesketh Harvey!  Not only is Kit impressive as a panto villain and much loved by the audiences of Guildford, but he is also another member of the team, that make this job such a pleasure.

I've always enjoyed the naughtiness of the man!  He, like PG and myself, likes to have a giggle.  There will be some cheeky ad libs thrown in - which are always far stronger than anyonelse, and perhaps the odd bum squeeze just as you walk on stage!  It's tit for tat!  

For people who aren't familiar with Kit's 'out of Panto' work, you are missing out on a treat!!  Formerly part of 'Kit & The Widow" and now 'Kit & McConnel' his cabaret act is sublime!  His songs are funny, intelligent and sometimes tear jerking!  

It is Kit's outstanding intellect that makes him so funny!  He is always one step ahead of the game!  We always joke that I am always "Brook off book" and that he never knows his lines until the third week of the run.  The truth however is that if anything went wrong on stage it would be Kit who was first to the punch with witty ad libs or audience rapport.  He genuinely is a master at it and if you try and out do him... beware!!!  You could plan for days a way of catching him out or making him corpse... but I assure you, before the audience have even started to laugh - he would have several comebacks lined up!  I'm extremely envious of this skill!

I'm thrilled this year, as I mentioned to be on the lower floor of dressing rooms.  This means I'm closer to both PG and Kit.  The laughs and banter flow constantly, and Kit is always a welcome guest to your dressing room!  He's bound to make you smile!

The three of us are fans of decanters, and passing a particular shop the other morning I noted some beautiful decanters in the window.  I told Kit, thinking he would probably head up there and snap them up for himself.

On opening night however there came a knock on the door;  it was kit with one of the decanters I'd picked out as particularly pretty and unusual.  He'd gone and bought it for me, with a "Snow White 2014" label.  The sherry will definitely be going in to that!!  I was so touched and genuinely surprised!  Such a kind gesture and so selfless.

He keeps me laughing throughout rehearsals and the run, both on stage and off and has a heart of gold!  The wonderful KHH!

JX

  

Opening Night and a lot of Macarena!!!

Nerves are good. They keep you alive.

{Idina Menzel}

Anyone familiar with the brilliant Mel Brooks musical 'The Producers' should recognise the wonderful song 'Opening Night'.  The usherettes ponder Max Bialystock's next show... "Will it flop or will it go?"

Well that is how I felt today.

You here a common phrase in rehearsals, especially with comedies and of course Pantomime!  "It needs an audience now!"  It may sound as though actors are trying to justify their lack of funniness on the lack of a crowd, but it really is surprising the effect an audience has to a show.

By the time we open we will have been performing the same gags and skits for three weeks, to the same gathered few.  The technical crew would have given us a boost the first time they saw it - but after two days of tech rehearsal and three dresses, they too are flagging, unsurprisingly.

What you have to try and remember is that an audience is always seeing the show for the first time!  Unless they are returning family or friends.  They think each ad-lib is especially for them, every fall is a one off and they saw 'the funniest show'.  In truth although things do go wrong and funny incidents do occur - the real skill comes in fooling the audience that that was actually a one off.

You always find that audiences A) Don't laugh as hard where you thought they might or maybe where you expected them to and B) They find trivial little things that never really landed in rehearsal hillarious.  These sometimes get the biggest laughs.  I have a lovely little line about "Shoe/choux pastry"  we've always skipped over it really but the crowds love it!

For those that aren't aware Jamie Brook is a stage name - My birth name is actually Jamie Smith, and the hawk eyed amongst you may have noticed that I wrote the script this year.  The pressure has therefore been heightened.  Will people not only find my act, but also my script funny?  Will they think it's boring?  Will they keep track of the story? And of course will they come back for the second Act!  Thankfully tonight's audience were very friendly and received the script well!

The reliethat swept over me when the curtain came down!!  I honestly could have cried.  I've been sneaking FOH during the runs to watch rehearsals, just to see what my words 'look' like on stage.  Are they funny?  To actually have one of my pantos not only on stage, but at a pretigious theatre like the Arnaud is a dream come true and has spurred me on for future projects.  

Such was the relief, that the 'one' drink I'd promised myself after the show flew down in about three minutes!  Thankfully my wonderful fiancée was there to keep me topped up!! And after a little bit of dancing on our way (see below) we headed home for a pizza and some naff telly!!  The perfect way to end a long week!!!

Glasses-Gate!!!

"Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers!"

To say that this has been long is an understatement.... and it's nowhere near finished yet!  Actors, creatives and crew are all working their hardest to get everything looking right and ticking away smoothly.  Much credit must go to Davin and Vicky the Company and Deputy Stage managers who are keeping all of the elements in order and keeping things on schedule.  It is also they that take the brunt of complaints from everyone involved!!  They are amazing!

Thankfully, after a very long day tech rehearsing though we had a little 'Scandal' to keep us all amused!

I'm standing in the stage left wing, waiting to go on and PG comes up rambling on about having lost his 'pink glasses'.  With everyone concentrating on their own lines, props and costume changes, and with our wardrobe assistants snowed under with repairs and adjustments.... no one was really taking any notice.  Still, PG banged on nearly all day about the vanishing specs.

Skip to the evening session... everyone flagging as I mentioned.  I'm backstage waiting for a 'sad entrance' for Snow White's funeral.  I'd spotted something in a previous scene and just before we went on I said to PG,

"I've found your glasses!  Karen has them on!"  Karen is playing Dozy!

"No!  Really?!"

"Honestly!!  I just saw them before I went on for the last scene!"  A look of confusion came over PG's face.

"But How?"  he really didn't believe me.  And was trying to look on stage to see Karen's face.    "Look if you're pulling my leg tell me, because otherwise I'm going to tell wardrobe I've found them!"

I was in fits!  The music started and we filled on 'to mourn'.  I crossed the stage (with a slight smirk) and went downstage to PG.

"Have you seen them?"  I whispered.

"Ok thank you hold it there!" Came an instruction from the crew.  PG's head bolted upright as he turned to our magnificent seven.  He spotted Karen and strained to see if they were in fact his glasses. He shuffled off toward centre stage, closer and closer to Karen.  hands on his hips, like a proper fishwife, he leant forward from the hips.  And then further.  And then further still.  He was bent virtually 90 degrees staring at Karen.  I'm surspised she didn't bop him one.

He shuffled back to my in tears of laughter.  

"They are!  They're mine!  How has she got those!" He snorted through the laughter.  As the rehearsal continued we chuckled into each other shoulders trying to keep a straight face. 

Soon Ray was involved, and we were all trying to figure out if they were in fact his!  ray told us that they had been left in her dressing room and that Karen was chuffed with them and really liked them.  They were actually very funny on her, as Dozy, they made her eyes bulge slightly.  

After lots of questioning, it turned out that one of the ensemble had found the glasses, and having seen Karen wearing glasses (off stage) they popped them on her desk.  Thankfully wardrobe sorted the whole thing out, as PG didn't want to have to deprive karen of her new glasses!

Maybe this is one of those stories where "you had to be there!"  but believe me... this kind of simple event really can help get the team through the long nights!  Rehearsal was over before we knew!

JB x

Ginger Beer Club is Back in Session!

Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.

{Oprah Winfrey}

 

Well we're open and playing to full audiences!!  Everyone is trying to find the funniest way to deliver certain lines, trying little bits of something new each show and..... where possible.... squeezing some new tit bits in.  

We're all shattered but loving life!  As much as I thrive off Panto, it does take it out of you.  A long production week, followed by at least two shows per day!  Most actors do 8 shows per week; six days with two matinees.  We have at least 12, sometimes 13!

One thing that can be guaranteed to keep our energy up however is a little bit of Ginger Beer!  Me and PG, now neighbours can simply pop next door for a quick GB.  And the 'club' is definitely still going strong... I spend most of the interval breaks sitting and chatting with PG.  It's great this year to have Kit making more frequent appearances when he hears us chin wagging, as well as my new mate Ray!  

Unfortunately Kit and Ray never seem to want a ginger beer... but I'm sure we'll convert them at some point!!

Cheers!!

JB

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Sitzprobe Time and a Band Reunion!

The sound of the orchestra is one of the most magnificent musical sounds that has ever existed.

{Chick Corea}

Well we're in the theatre and all settling into our dressing rooms, but this first day in the Yvonne Arnaud means something else.... The Sitzprobe!!

The 'Sitting Rehearsal' is where the band and cast first 'get together' and rehearse the orchestrations. It is usually the first meeting of the two groups, however for a few of us the Sitzprobe is also a little bit of a reunion.  Graham and John have been here for every pantomime I have done at the Arnaud.  John is on Bass and Graham on percussion.  They're lovely chaps - so it's always good to see them.  

We have a little change elsewhere in the band this year...  Mary McAdam has taken over as our MD and we have a lady called Jennifer who will be playing second keys.

I always enjoy the sitzprobe... it's always quite informal and everyone is always really supportive.  The main thing of course is that by the time we get onto the stage - we've already heard the full orchestration.

There's a quick little snap of Kit and PG rehearsing their number together... always a crowd pleaser!!

JB

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Home Sweet Home.... Again!

"Coming home to my family afterward makes the work richer, easier and more fun."

{Edie Falco}

Finally... the time has come and today I moved back in to the Yvonne Arnaud theatre!

I've come down a floor this year... to the 'Grown Ups' level.  I don't know whether this is a compliment or not, but I'm chuffed as I'm next door to PG and Kit.  It also means I have two flights of stairs less to climb this year... much appreciated after two manic slosh scenes.  

What is extra special to me personally about 'the move' is that I have now become the resident of Dressing Room #4... the former room of my hero Mr Royce Mills.  I hope Royce wouldn't mind the fact I'm in his room... I've been rubbing on lots of Tiger Balm, as that is the smell I associate with this room and Royce over Panto!

Of course being in the theatre meant it was time to pull out the decorations and get the Grotto made up!  I always like to leave myself a little message for when I open the box.  It's the simple things!   

I had the Christmas Music echoing along the corridor and stayed quite later after our call to decorate my dresing room.  There is tinsel, my Pano tree, hanging decs and sweets for guests.  I think my dressing room grotto has become a bit of a thing as all the crew, FOH staff and cast members were popping down to see the work in progress.

My poor ol' Panto tree is starting to look a bit tatty now.... it is 10 years old!!  But I still think it looks beautiful!!!  At least now I feel 'at home' and that Christmas has really begun!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

JB x

The Producer's Run Through

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.

{Henry Ford}

It's the second Saturday, which can mean only one thing.  A full run through for all of the theatre crew and Jamie Barber, the producer.  This is also where the sound and lighting team can see the general shape of the show, so that know where certain things will need to be lit etc.  

The run through actually went very well, and the chaperones and juves we're very friendly, giving us lots of support.  We seem to be in good shape - hopefully the audiences will think the same!

Me and PG have been having a giggle again.  We were trying to learn a dance routine to a number (which it turned out later - would be cut) where we came down to the front.  We were stood behind each other, acting like the naughty school boys at the back of the class.  PG and I were trying our best to keep up... but I think we had the devil in us that day.

PG suddenly referenced the show poster and the stance in which I, muddles, was standing.  

"What's with the funny hand?" he commented.

"Well I had to cheat it so it looked better for the camera."

"But why are your hands up?"  we started mimicking my photo.  Sometimes it really is the simple things.  This is the picture in question!

We started coming up with scenarios for the picture, one of which was quite naughty, so look away now if easily offended.

"My c*ck.... is this big!" and that was it!  We were gone!!  Silly little boys I hear you say!!!  We were literally crying!  The ensemble an Gerry kept looking at us, but decided best leave us to it!

The problem came when Gerry got to our next move in the routine.  We had to jump in, me behind SW and PG behind me, with our arms exactly as they are in the picture.  Another roar of laughter.  it took us a good while to regain our composure, although this move does eventually still make an appearance!

What's the point in growing up, when life can be such a giggle??!!

JB 

A Bike, A Bike! My Kingdom for a Bike!

"Be careful what you wish for!"

I thought I'd share this little rehearsal shot with you.  We have a wonderful chase scene as I have mentioned, brilliantly choreographed by Gerry and Jill.  

Gerry had suggested that I should come across the stage on a bike with a policemans flashing helmet.  great I thought... more giggles!  I told them that my old bike was still in storage in the Arnaud watersheds, but also suggested that the bike should be a small one, kind of like a clown, for added humour. 

Liza bought in one of her son, Samuel's old bikes, as seen above.  I jumped on!  And soon fell off again!  I couldn't ride it.  We were in fits of laughter as I struggled to pedal across the rehearsal room.  Vicky suggested that we have a competition to see who can ride it best.  So bad was I, that I had to simple push myself along with my legs.

Before the producers run, Liza tried to help me, saying I needed to spread my legs out a bit further, but still no join.

"Well....!"  Said Gerry, loud enough for all to hear!  "You asked for a little bike so you'd better learn!" with a wry smile on his face.  Thankfully, I think I've got the hang of it now... I just need a bit of a push off!!

JB

Chums!

A quick rehearsal snap of me and the Peege!!

Ladies & Jellyspoons.... THE BENCH!

"Well! We'll Have To Do It Again Then, Won't We! WHOOPS!" Take 2!

Christmas is far and away my favourite holiday. I love everything about it, from the event that inspired it, hoping for a white one, to wrapping presents. But mostly I love having family and friends gathered, and sharing traditions.  {Ellen Hopkins}

After a lovely day off, I'm back into rehearsals today, and what a day to come back!  My favourite routines are being rehearsed!  We're spending the afternoon looking at the Ghost Gag and the Twelve Days of Christmas sketch!

I adore the slapstick involved with the Twelve Days and this year is no exception.  In fact we've pushed it even further to try and create as much chaos and mayhem as possible.  I'm sure I'll be falling all over the place and if PG has anything to do with it, being hit in numerous parts of the body with lots of different objects.  I'm certainly going to be a proud sponsor of Arnicare again this year!

We had got lots of extra (new) bits and pops written into the sequence in the script - but we decided to revert back to tradition on most of it, but make sure it's larger than life!  The custard pies are of course everyone's favourite bit, along with the water pistols, and it is I who shall be taking the brunt of those.  Most people complain about slosh but I would be upset if I wasn't on the receiving end!

We've also got a couple of additions in the ghost gag routine this year, whilst still sticking to Guildford traditions.  Those of you who visited last year may remember our "Ghostie Gungers" who squirted cream.  Because of the amount of slosh already in the show this year - they have been left out this time around, but there is a little more slapstick, to hopefully make the audience enjoy this Yvonne Arnaud favourite even more.

People see these two routines virtually every year.  The Ghost gag is always there and the Twelve Days quite frequent.  there would be an uproar if they were left out of the running - especially the ghost gag bench.  Children from 4 years old to 99 all join in with "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life!"  and would be outraged if it was absent.  Thankfully, it's protected as the actors would have a similar displeasure!

The ghost gag is as big a part of some families Christmas as the presents, turkey or Santa Claus himself!

JB x

No Rest for the Wicked!!

Poor Kit had no chance of escaping my rehearsal cam!!! Or the mockery from our DSM Vicky!!

A Very Happy Birthday to a Very Special Lady!

I did a "Professional First" today... although many would probably argue it was in fact very unprofessional..

I had the day off to go back up to Brum and spend the day with Sandy and my family for my Nan's (Margaret's) Birthday!!  It was a very special birthday... the big 80!  And after months of telling my nan we wouldn't be able to make it due to rehearsal commitments, we couldn't wait to see her reaction.

Me and Sandy drove up to the 'Homelands' on the Tuesday evening.  On Wednesday morning we both rang Nan individually to wish her Happy Birthday and say "we wish we could be there!"  She sounded a bit disappointed, but put a brave face on it!  Within ten minutes we were at Nan and Grandad's house.

Surprised is not the word!  It all got a bit weepy... but Nan said it had made her day so we were chuffed to have pulled it off.  We all had a great day celebrating, laughing and catching up... see it as a little warm up for Christmas Day!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAN!!!!
JB x

"The Vertical Trampoline!"

There is little success where there is little laughter.

{Andrew Carnegie}

The weekend is nearly here!!  A time to relax, recharge and 'learn your damn lines!'

This post has Mr PG to thank for it's title.  We have been rehearsing the comedy chase I mentioned previously, starting with blocking PG and Ray.   Gerry gave what I think he thought would be a 'simple' piece of direction, a comedy bump into each other.  Ray crossed from one side of the stage and PG the other, for the bump centre.

What we hadn't factored in however was the height difference.  Ray comes up to around PG's stomach, so a little added comedy ensued.  Ray hit PG with such force that he bounced off PG's belly and stumbled backwards.  In the meantime PG, who had burst into laughter and not being moved by Ray's ramming, turned out to Gerry and Vicky, in virtual tears.  Ray, being the pro, quickly jumped up and within seconds was back in position, hiding under PG belly.  PG not noticing this turned back to look at Ray - who had 'dissappeared.'  You couldn't have written it.  PG looked around and then down to Ray and got a slight fright.  Comedy gold!  I'm convinced we should put it in the show.   

Through his tears PG managed to splutter "I'm like a vertical trampoline!"  

The light switch on was fantastic as ever, although we didn't get to sing "I wish it could be Christmas Everyday' - a few technical difficulties from the people organising the event.  The Eagle Radio segment upon the balcony however went well.  PG interviewed myself, Josie and Amy, who then went on to perform "Let it Go" to a massive Guildford crowd.  I've never seen that many people.  Right down past the Star Inn and up beyond the Three Pigeons.  Testament to the people of Guildford, coming out to support local event.

We're rocketing through at the moment and everything seems in great shape!

JB

X

Josie Shows us her Evil....!

This Place is Like a Circus!!!!!!!

Comedy is difficult!  Especially slapstick. The trick is to have fun while you are performing it.  {Maureen O'Hara}

We seem to be storming through the first act!  The opening scenes and numbers are blocked and we were treated with starting work on a slapstick routine we have for Act One.  I don't want to spoil any of the surprises, so obviously I can't go into much detail, however.... keep an eye out for a little chaos happening in midway through the first act!

The culprits being Nora, Myself and Cheeky causing the mayhem and Snow White trying to keep everything in order... and failing!  There are props going everywhere, lots of mess and hopefully plenty of laughs for the audience.

I have literally cried today working with the fellas.  PG is a joy as ever and Ray is also up for a laugh.  And that's with a pint or two inside us.   We had one moment where PG thought it may be nice for me to catch him - before he revised his suggestion saying I wouldn't be able to hold him.  However each time we rehearsed the scene, he ended up doing a manoeuvre I can only liken to a dog humping it's owners leg.   We were in hysterics.  And once something has set us off... it's hard to get us back!

This carried through to today's rehearsals... where we have another little caper to work on.... this one with most of the cast.  We have tricks, acrobatics and lots of tomfoolery!  We were all having a lovely time, but Gerry has ensured that this hilarity will transfer over to the audience.  We've already had the best of times rehearsing and we haven't even touched the second act.

Josie is great to work with.  Very professional and very funny.  She's coming up with lots of suggestions which all adds to the fun.  It's such a joy to work with such a comic actress - she seems to love playing, which is what panto rehearsal need.  She's got some pipes on her as well.  She has a great number with our Prince... my mucka Peter Dukes, which I think may just bring the house down.

The Guildford audiences always seem to savour the moments where they are directly addressed and included in the comedy... and Josie does this in spades.

I can't sign off without mentioning the annual Guildford Christmas light switch on!!  It's tonight and yours truly is back up on the balcony at the Town Hall.  I'll be having a quick interview with "the PG" and then there for the countdown and switch on!  I loved it last year - so I'm hoping lots of you will turn out, if you can to see us!  I'll try and gets some piccies!!

Happy Countdown to Christmas everyone!!

JB x  

Doughnuts and Coffee and Soup! Oh My!

Being happy is of the utmost importance. Success in anything is through happiness.

{Maharishi Mahesh Yogi} 

Well here we are again.  First day of the first week of the process!  It's fantastic to be back in the space, and seeing all those familiar faces.  Laughter, chatter and plenty of hugs and kisses are obligatory before we get down to work.

I must point out that despite my prior ecxitement, because of my chattering, I did miss out on the main doughnut selection process.  No gooey, messy ball of cream for me... I had to make do with a plain old Jam Dog-nut!  Although... considering that I've been living off soup and vegetables for the past couple of weeks... I need to fit into Jamie's costumes remember... a bit of sugar was welcomed!

The first read through went fantastically.  There was lots of laughter from around the table and chemistry was already clear between certain characters. Josie Lawrence (our evil Queen) and Kit (her Henchman) really brought the script to life.  Having a shared history in improv and comedy - I think the Guildford audience are in for a real treat.  They bounced off each other perfectly - and it was only the read through.

I'm really excited to work on the scenes with PG and Ray.  We have a few extra little surprises for the audience this year.  We've taken everything that people love about the Arnaud pantomime and squeezed as much of that in as we can.  Hopefully a laugh a minute and very messy!

I won't go into how 'the actor' feels on these first days... I've mentioned this in the past, but what I will say is that the group feels very tight this year.  There's no one slipping off into the shadows... everyone is mucking in together - all of which helps create this family feel, on and off stage. 

It's great, of course to have Gerry Tebbutt and Jill Francis at the helm again.  You can tell everyone feels in safe hands.  I should point out also that this is Gerry's 40th pantomime, so of course a very special one for him and so too for us, as he is so respected by all the familiar faces and ensemble. 

Finally a little note on the aforementioned ensemble.  I say this every year I know, but we seem to have a really strong tam this year!!  The guys and girls are all delightful and full of character, which again adds to the atmosphere in th rehearsal room. The singing that I've heard sounds wonderful and the dancing looks very slick!  A credit to the good work going on at PPA.

SO... that's it!  We're off!  Back into the panto swing of things - and I couldn't be happier!

Tata for now.

JB x