Professional pantomime producer Suzie Lowe and doyenne of village pantos Val Smith talk to panto writer Lynne Mortimer about why this traditional festive theatrical event is such great family entertainment
Pantomime is alive and well and bringing generations together all over the country - and it's flourishing here in Suffolk. It is, debatably, the most immersive, interactive theatrical experience of them all, and Suzie Lowe, professional actor, dancer, singer, drama teacher and theatrical agent, who brings us the annual panto at Felixstowe’s Spa Pavilion, and Val Smith, who, as mum, gran and great gran has been involved with Bucklesham Players pantomimes since 1971, won’t disagree.
Suzie proudly carries on the inheritance of her father, Dennis Lowe, who began producing musical theatre and panto at the Spa in 1965. Meanwhile, Val bursts with pride when she talks about her grand-daughters, Harriet and Ellena Bacon who have graduated from Bucklesham village pantos to stardom in a professional Christmas production of The Wizard of Oz at the Shaw Theatre, in London. Harriet is the Wicked Witch of the West while Ellena takes on the iconic role of Dorothy.
This year, as for the last 50 years, Bucklesham’s Val is preparing for the festive fun of panto, and Suzie has taken up her father’s mantle at the Spa. Battling through the pandemic, determined to put on a show, Suzie managed just three performances of her Cinderella in 2020 before lockdown put paid to the run. This year, she is staging her professional production of Cinderella again, full of optimism and enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, six miles away in Bucklesham, the Players are rehearsing Dick Whittington. Val, whose first role was the princess in Aladdin in January 1971, is now making costumes for the show – just as her own mum once did. Val has two daughters, Wendy and Linda, whose first appearances were as panto babes. Wendy’s grandchildren are now panto babes while Linda’s daughter, Harriet, is this year choreographing the children.
Suzie and Val concur that, for them, panto is about family. For Suzie it is carrying on the tradition begun by her dad, the late Dennis Lowe, who was, for many years Felixstowe’s Mr Entertainment, producing, directing and appearing in shows as well as writing and directing the annual pantos. His wife, Suzie’s mum Sylvia, is also a panto stalwart. I tell Suzie that I remember seeing them and particularly recall the exodus of children from the auditorium to the toilets during the love duet. “Yes,” says Suzie, laughing. “My dad told me he put those love duets in deliberately to give the boys and girls an opportunity to go to the loo!”
Val and I reminisce about the Bucklesham pantos of yore. I used to appear in them and was co-writer with original scriptwriter (my husband) James Hayward. There has been a new village hall built since then but in the 70s, anyone who exited stage right was trapped there until the curtains closed. In one famous incident, the wicked wolf in Red Riding Hood fell off the stage into the inaccessible corner and we couldn’t find out how he was until the interval.
What Suzie, Val and I also have in common is that we love traditional panto. We treasure the plot devices such as slapstick and “behind you!”; the original names derived from international folk tales and fairy stories; the joy of the music-and-dance-laden, romantic, good-defeats-evil, rags-to-riches comedies. Suzie reflects on a discussion she recently had with a fellow panto producer about using the name Abanazar for the evil wizard in Aladdin. There were, she said, concerns that it might be culturally offensive.
“It blew my mind. I understand fears about hurting someone’s feelings. It’s a bit controversial but I feel it has gone to such extremes… it may have gone too far. A lot of them have lost the tradition of commedia dell’arte. That beautiful simplicity has been lost. I like to stick to that tradition.” As for the big professional productions with their 'A-list to Z-list celebrity performers', that is not the Suzie Lowe approach. “I have tried to keep my dad’s name alive. (If he were here today) he would have had his say but having that magical feel is super-super important. It’s about engaging children.
“They should be free to holler and shout and scream. It’s about having the connection with the audience and having fun. I had the most brilliant teacher in my dad and even now, when I am directing, I think ‘What would dad do?’” Like mother, like daughter - already on stage is Suzie’s daughter, four-year-old Mila. “She’s a mini-me,” says Suzie with a grin.
Down the road in Bucklesham, the first pantomime, which emanated from the village’s Women’s Institute in 1969, was Cinderella – it is the only one Val Smith has missed. Since then, as well as helping to launch professional careers, The Bucklesham Players group has embraced its community for more than 50 years.
Val, widowed in 2002, was a mum of three when she first ventured on stage as the principal girl in 1971 and today she and her family are still there - her son-in-law, Andrew Bacon, “always does the dame or the village idiot” - and there are other long-time performers who keep the Bucklesham tradition alive.
Moreover the panto effect is known to spread – as Val’s granddaughter Harriet has also appeared at the Spa as Cinderella and at the Ipswich Regent as Snow White. Original panto writer James Hayward has also provided scripts for many local groups. “People come and go but we are a family group and family is our great strength,” says Val, surrounded by feathers and ribbon, hats and fabric for the costumes she's making. A now-retired churchwarden for several decades, she is also preparing desserts for 32 people at a church lunch.
It just goes to show that, whether it is on the professional stage or a village hall, pantomime is much loved, alive and well - just waiting for us all to join in. Oh, yes it is!
Suzie Lowe’s Cinderella is at the Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe, from December 17 to January 2. The Bucklesham Players perform Dick Whittington at Bucklesham Village Hall on January 20, 21 and 22.
10 Suffolk pantos you can see this festive season
Jack & the Beanstalk, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto by Peter Rowe, New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, November 25 – January 8, 2022
Brought to you by the famous New Wolsey company of multi-skilled actor musicians, it’s the best of pantomime mixed with the best songs from the classic rock and pop playlist, all played live, including Hit The Road Jack, Lady Marmalade, Get Offa My Cloud, Go Your Own Way and many, many more. This glorious mash up of pantomime and pop concert is a festive treat for all the family. In person tickets start from £12. Tickets wolseytheatre.co.uk
From Rushmere With Love, by Brendan Murray, Eastern Angles Christmas Show, Sir John Mills Theatre Ipswich, December 9 - January 8, 2022
A James Bond spoof with live streamed performances also available. A rare breed of turkey has been sighted in Ipswich and members of the local RSPB have been disappearing. Join the curiously named James Boond, special agent 006, on his haphazard mission across Ipswich as he tries to solve the mystery of the disappearing twitchers, while crossing mysterious local turkey farmers and nuclear weapons experts on his way. Tickets easternangles.co.uk
Cinderella, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, November 26 – January 16, 2022
A busy day in Bury. On Butter Market Square, Buttons the barrow boy flogs his fruit. On Hardwick Heath, Prince Charming frets over his future. And up at Sickworth House, Kylie and Miley are making Cinderella’s life a misery. Chris Clarkson as Dame Winona Whittington. Returning for the fifth year, Chris Clarkson will be playing the gossipy, girly Kylie Grizzle, one of Cinderella’s ugly step-sisters. Chris has become a firm audience favourite. Alongside Chris, Craig Painting fills the rather large and smelly shoes of wannabe pop star and ugly sister, Mylie Grizzle. Becky Sanneh, is in the title role of Cinderella. Playing the pushy showbiz mum and step-mum, Grizelda Grizzle is Suffolk lass Beth Tuckey. As the lovable Buttons, the gregarious greengrocer and Cinderella’s best friend is Howie Michaels. The fairy godmother is played by Rosemary Annabella Nkrumah. The professional cast is supported by a cast of local young performers aged 10 – 18 years old. Tickets 01284 769505, theatreroyal.org
Co-op Juniors Christmas Spectacular, Snape Maltings, December 3-12, 2021
Festive magic is back at Snape Maltings with the all-singing, all dancing Co-op Juniors Christmas Spectacular. The cast of 100 is ready to raise the roof with their unique blend of high energy music and dance numbers, with a live orchestra, a new stage set and stunning costumes. Tickets start from £15. Book 01728 687110 or brittenpearsarts.org
Aladdin, Ipswich Regent Theatre, December 17 - January 2, 2022
The Regent’s fun family pantomime is back, starring X-Factor runner-up Marcus Collins as Genie, and back by popular demand Mike ‘Squeaky’ McClean as Wishee Washee. Audiences are invited to laugh at Dotty Widow Twankey, boo and hiss the evil Abanaza and cheer on the hero Aladdin who, with one rub of his magic lamp, meets the most amazing Genie. Tickets ipswichtheatres.co.uk
Cinderella, Marina Theatre, Lowestoft, December 14 - January 2, 2022
Find out if the glass slipper fits and if Cinderella makes it to the ball and back before midnight. Breath-taking special effects, spectacular scenery and sparkling costumes along with plenty of traditional pantomime mayhem, laughter and chances for you to join in the fun. Prince Charming is played by Jaymi Hensley from popular boyband Union J. The cast will also include Lowestoft favourite Terry Gleed as Cinderella’s best friend Buttons, TV’s John Lyons as Baron Hardup, diabolical double-act Lav & Lou as the Ugly Sisters, Naomi Slater as the Fairy Godmother and Anna Morgan as Cinderella. Relaxed Performances on Tuesday December 21, 2pm and Thursday December 30, 6pm. Signed Performance Sunday December 19, 5pm. Tickets marinatheatre.co.uk
Snow White, Beccles Public Hall And Theatre (Fundraising for the hall), December 18 - January 3, 2022
The classic tale of Snow White and the seven dwarfs in a traditional family panto suitable for adults and children from three upwards. Tickets becclespublichall.co.uk
Jack and the Beanstalk, Haverhill Arts Centre, December 17-27
That's Entertainment Productions returns with BBC TV’s ‘Allo ‘Allo comedy legend Sue Hodge by popular demand as the hilarious Fairy Cucumber in a fun-filled pantomime for all the family. There are the familiar characters - bumbling Dame Trott, the villainous Fleshcreep and heroes Jack and Jill battling a giant. Special appearance by Daisy the Cow, live music and full supporting cast. Tickets haverhillartscentre.co.uk
Sherlock Holmes meets Count Dracula, Common Ground Theatre Company Christmas show touring Suffolk December 16 - January 23, 2022
Lady Emilia Adwater engages the services of Sherlock Holmes to investigate the disappearance of her head butler and other domestic staff in her neighbourhood, down in deepest Suffolk. The disappearances coincide with the arrival there of the mysterious Count Dracula who has moved into nearby Carhorn Abbey. Dr. Watson, masquerading as a life insurance rep, is sent to assess the situation, and on his return to Baker Street starts behaving rather strangely... Sherlock Holmes faces his most dangerous adversary. Tickets and tour dates commongroundtc.co.uk
Puss in Boots, Sudbury Quay Theatre, December 26 - January 3, 2022
Roger the Ogre is taxing everyone for everything, so the Burgher and his Clerk decide to organise a music festival to cheer everyone up. What could possibly go wrong? The Miller brothers, Arthur, Dusty and Windy, are given gifts by their father and one of those gifts turns out to be a Very Unusual One. Cerys, a beautiful young Welsh lass, and her mother, Megan, on a sightseeing holiday in the area are enjoying the local views and learning about the local customs. Will Arthur meet Cerys, fall in love, make his fortune and live happily ever after with the girl of his dreams? By Phil Osborn, a Sudbury Dramatic Society production. Tickets quaysudbury.com
