The theatre may be diminutive, but Richmond’s Georgian Theatre Royal is growing a reputation for producing classic pantomimes. With this year’s offering already breaking records, Ashley Barnard meets the cast

WITH just days to go until the opening night of Snow White, it was all too easy to be swept into panto pandemonium as the final details were being put into place and dance routines, music numbers and dialogue being polished brighter than a poisoned apple.

Predictably for Richmond's Georgian Theatre Royal, this is no run-of-the-mill production with seven dwarfs and a princess who dozes through half of the action – this Snow White is a budding actress in 1920s Hollywood and is driven, gutsy and determined to carve her own career.

Prince Charming, known in this version as Rudolph Valentine, is played by local actor Billy Gaines, who cut his teeth in amateur productions at the theatre with Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society and Richmond Operatic Society. He will also the voice of the mirror.

Emily Essery, who plays Snow White, says: “We have given her a bit of a twist and set it all in the Great Gatsby era. She is an actress looking for her big break, but she still has a big heart and is determined to help others, and although she is looking for love with her prince she wants more than that alone.”

Back by popular demand after his role as panto Dame in last year’s Jack and Jill, Gary "Gacko" Bridgens returns as Orsenia Wells.

He says: “I have done panto all my life, but used to always be the villain. Then, as you get older, you either keep playing baddies or take smaller roles such as the hero’s father – or you become a dame.

“Even though I’m a street theatre actor and been in countless pantomimes, I didn’t know if it would work with me playing a dame, and you don’t know if you can do it until you do it in front of a live audience.”

Thankfully Mr Bridgens has been embraced by the Richmond panto audiences who loved his appearance in previous years so much that Clare Allen, theatre chief executive and the writer/director of Snow White, pleaded with him to return.

She says: “A lot of the cast are returning which is fantastic for us as we know how great they are. We have a cast of five actors and two musicians, who rotate to do everything – all the musical instruments, singing, dancing, acting – they really are an ensemble cast.”

Despite the 1920s spin on the classic tale, Ms Allen promised plenty of panto fun for all the family.

“The audience are a big part of the production as they play the extras in the movie, and will have everything from knitted apples to Tunnock’s teacakes thrown at them,” she says..

The knitted apples are this year’s community project which the theatre throws open to willing members of the public. Every year there is a competition to see who can knit the most of whatever is needed – last year it was leaves for Jack’s beanstalk, and this year it is Snow White’s apples.

Ms Allen adds: “We couldn’t do the pantomime without the involvement of the community, from our knitters to our amazing volunteers who work tirelessly to act as crew, front of house, and sell tickets.”

Mr Bridgens says: “The panto is a big thing. People are spending their money to come and see us so we have to deliver. For children it is often their first experience of the theatre so if we can make it memorable and put on a good show, that might make them, and their parents, want to come and see something else. If we have fun on stage, they will have fun in the audience.”

Ms Allen added that this year’s production is already breaking records for ticket sales, and an extra week has been put on to cater to demand.

Mr Bridgens says: “It is great because we know we are doing something right. It is becoming ingrained in people’s Christmas tradition so for us it is important to get it right.”

Penny McDonald plays Norma Desdemona the Wicked Queen; James McLean is Douglas Fairpants – Huntsman. Daniel Bowater is musical director.

  • Snow White runs until Sunday, January 8, with evening and matinee performances available. For tickets visit georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk, call 01748-825252, or visit the box office at the theatre in Victoria Road, Richmond