Tempers simmer and fray backstage at the Britannia Theatre as the cast opens their annual pantomime Dick Whittington in Strut and Fret’s play Look Behind You. The theatre is on the brink of closure. In an attempt to attract audiences Sam Nancarrow (Daniel Wain) casts a famous boy band member Finn Caffrey (Matt Tester) and an ex-glamour model come TikTok celebrity Camille Crabbe (Cait Hart Dyke). Will it be enough to save the future of the Theatre?

Maggie Dunn played by Annabel Miller runs the production from backstage organising all the cast, trying to mediate certain situations, and liaising with front-of-house and curtain calls. However, dealing with certain cast member’s egos pushes her patience to the limit. While dealing with Christmas at home! Every backstage needs a calming influence to ensure the show must go on.

Nancarrow is dealing with the grief of losing his late partner who was also an actor and a huge part of the Theatre. The weight of the future of his beloved Theatre while donning gorgeous frocks and being the star of the show as the outrageous Pantomime Dame.

Each cast member performs two characters throughout the production. There are the Pantomime characters who are all smiles and dancing. Then they have their character’s real-life personas, some of whom have egos the same size as their hang-ups! Competition for some of them in their quest to further their acting careers knows no limits! Especially Bernie Bigelow (Caroline Ross), a seasoned actor who snaps after many shows of the inexperienced actore Nicholas May (Oliver Redpath) constantly commenting on how he believed she could improve her performance!

Director Barney Hart Dyke brings together a cleverly woven production of two shows. The seasonal pantomime and an insight into what goes on behind the stage. In one scene, Caffney is arguing one minute with a cast member and immediately switches into character as he tells to go onstage, and he flounces through and onto the stage.

The comedy throughout ranges from typical pantomime banter, to topical political commentary and in-house humour between the cast. The play also raises the topically discussed subject of the BBC television series DOCTORS which is going to be axed, where many up-and-coming actors get their break into television performing.

For more information about this production or future productions at The Tabard Theatre please click on the link below. Running from 17th January until 3rd February 2024.

Four Stars.

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