Paul TateLet's Celebrate Pantomime
19h ·
Panto Spotlight No21. ANTONY JOHNS.
Here's what Antony had to say about his Panto journey, along with a few chosen photos.
"Pantomime, like everything else, holds special memories for me. From seeing Dickie Valentine as a child in Cinderella at The King's Theatre Southsea, the real-life ponies to the flying ballet, all the costumes, the sets and seeing my dear sister Lynda as one of the dancers, it made it so memorable and the magic has stayed with me through all these years. In my professional career, my first Panto experience was for Jamie Phillips of Trends, with Dougie Squires OBE MVO as Director/Choreographer at His Majesty's Theatre Aberdeen in 1978. The production starred Denny Willis and Marie Gordon-Price, with me playing the mate in Dick Whittington. It was a fun, happy season full of snow! It was very interesting learning the comic routines of Denny Willis and 'The Hunt' skit which Denny was so well known for. His comic falls and timing were incredible. I learnt a lot watching him. He was such a gentle Dame with his own unique style and catchphrases such as "I fell. I'm sorry." with a cough and his little finger popping up, then saying "I'm sorry I splashed you." Marie's voice was just amazing - powerful - and she was a fabulous Dick Whittington! It was a great first experience into the Panto world with Jamie Phillips, who I owe so much to, working with the Trends family, which became my life. That year Trends produced Pantomimes in Darlington and Cambridge. It kept all the Second Generation dancers in work and Dougie gave so many of us chances in small and leading parts. It was almost a Rep Company! Carole Todd assisted Dougie on all productions, as that year Dougie also directed and choreographed Aladdin at The London Palladium starring Danny La Rue, Alfred Marks, Dilys Watling, Brian Marshall and Wei Wei Wong. It was a spectacular productions with costumes by Mark Canter and was a big success which ran and ran. 1979 I was given the chance to choreograph Aladdin for Paul Elliott at Poole Arts Centre. A huge learning curve watching the amazing Derek Griffiths, the best Abanazar to this day in my eyes. He played the role so differently in his own style. Anne Sydney was Aladdin and the Princess was Danielle Carson. In 1980 I started to assist Dougie on Pantos in Glasgow, Darlington, Cambridge, Birmingham and choreographed the Aladdin production at Guildford, again for Paul Elliott, starring Derek Griffiths once more. Writing about Paul at this time is so reflective with the sad news of his passing. What an incredible legend he was to Pantomime. I worked with him again much later on, in many productions creating costumes for Allan Stewart. I always learnt so much from Paul. He was such a talented man with kindness and passion for the art of Panto. He started so many artists off on the road to their careers. So from the 80s onwards I choreographed and directed many Pantomimes in Ayr, Glasgow Pavilion, Motherwell, Hanley, Buxton, Blackpool and appeared in Mother Goose, Aladdin and Peter Pan at the Connaught, Worthing. Playing Peter Pan again at the Brighton Dome. In the 90s for six years I directed, choreographed and appeared (and sang the Theme Tune!) at the Theatre Royal Brighton and then working at Stageworks in Blackpool and produced nine years of Panto at Blackburn St George's Hall. I also produced costumes for countless productions over the years and was always honoured to create a lot of Dame costumes for Christopher Biggins. How lucky I was to work with some incredible Producers, Directors, Star Actors, Singers, Performers, Dancers, Musicians, Stage Managers, Company Managers, ASMs, Theatre Crew, Lighting and Set Designers, Script Writers, Set Builders, Costume Designers, Costume Makers, Theatre Wardrobe, Theatre Managers and Assistants, Box Office, Front of House, PR and Marketing, Photographers in these wonderful productions. I always think nobody really understands the amount of work that goes into each and every production, so hats off to everybody!!! Highlights and memories that come to mind: At the Pavilion in Glasgow in the Scottish Panto 'A Wish For Jamie', Marie Gordon-Price sang 'Flower of Scotland'. The entire audience rose to their feet and sang their hearts out. It was goosebumps time. Rehearsing late at night with Norman Wisdom in a dressing room at the Grand, Blackpool. He taught me his riffle routine for me to teach the male dancers. He was a perfectionist, it was complex, but his timing was truly brilliant and watching him do pathos was an incredible lesson. Scottish Andy Cameron as Dame. He had never played a Dame before and he was just amazing. He was a man in a frock and hysterical. Peter Pan, performing it in Worthing, a German TV Producer came and wanted it televised for Germany. Myself as Peter and the lovely actress Daryl Back playing Wendy. The catch was that we had to record it twice. In German.....and Czech!!! It was no mean feat...but we did it! Peter Pan again a year later. I had just finished choreographing three productions and got an early phonecall from Jamie to say I would have to get to Heathrow now as I would have to go on as Peter Pan. The actress and understudy were not well enough to perform. So, off I fly....arrived....and was on for the matinee! Flying onstage in a harness that didn't fit! I even had a quick rehearsal with Hook for the fight scene. Unbelievable to think now. I think it went ok. I think. I did it for about five performances. My problem was I couldn't always understand their accents! The joys of working with Irene Handl. She played Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. She played it as the Queen Mother. Her first Panto I think, in her 70s. Derek Griffiths, his performance in Panto...just fantastic. From Abanazar to Vanity in Mother Goose at Brighton. When at Brighton, all of these Pantos hold a special place in my heart. We became a family at each and every production and a joy to work over the years with the likes of Christopher Biggins, Nichola McAuliffe, Colin Baker, Nicola Stapleton, Lisa Hull, Danielle Carson, Michael Kirk, Jonathan Wilkes, Jenny Funnell, Brenda Cochrane, David Yip, Wei Wei Wong, Dockyard Doris etc. We also performed late night Adult performances to raise money for Brighton Cares. One year Jonathan Wilkes was Aladdin and at the end of Act 1 he sang 'She's the One'. It was number one at the time. As he went to sing, a certain Robbie Williams appeared from the wings, looked at Jonathan and said "I think this is MY song!" and joined in singing. The audience went wild, as you can imagine! Only Jonathan and I knew. We kept it a secret just in case it didn't happen. A real highlight! I've mentioned Christopher Biggins before. What a joy it is to work with him. Not only on stage but off. He has an incredible heart, kindness and is just wonderful with the public. His personality is a tonic that lifts everyone. There are hundreds more stories one could tell....as my mind keeps remembering. My journey through Pantoland has been nothing but love for the art form. As many have said before, it's the first venture for a child coming into the world of Theatre. It's our job to make it as magical as possible. To open their eyes so they want to come back and see more. Panto has moved on a lot since I was first involved, I, myself, prefer the traditional family Pantomime to the way it has evolved now. For me, it was always the story at the heart of the Pantomime. To be truthful. I do miss some of the classic Pantomime gags that could still work today given a bit of updating. The classics will always remain classics. It's lovely to see Panto being more recognised and the passion and love that everyone puts into each production. I tried to be as creative as possible with each Pantomime with the support of Jamie Phillips, all the Trends family production team and to my life partner who taught me so much, Dougie Squires. Panto has played a big part in my career. Thanks to everyone who was part of this journey. P.S...The only thing I never got to play is Dame. I would have loved to have given it a go!"
Thank you so much, Antony for taking part in the Panto Spotlight for Let's Celebrate Pantomime. It was a joy to play Little Boy Blue all those years ago for Jamie, Dougie and yourself. Happy, happy days, indeed!!! x
