'The show must go on': Northampton's historic theatre pulls out all the stops to perform Christmas panto for 2020

When Sleeping Beauty woke up after a hundred years, she wasn’t allowed to kiss Prince Keith of Sixfields.

Because unfortunately she woke up in the year 2020 and had to abide by strict social distancing regulations in this year’s Christmas pantomime by Kevin Roach and his team at The Deco theatre.

Both Sleeping Beauty (Fern Roach) and Prince Keith of Sixfields (Chris Wills) had to don face visors to pucker up yet still had to keep 2m apart!

In true theatrical tradition, “the show must go on.”

Despite the current restrictions in place during the pandemic, Kevin Roach and his team still managed to pull off a pantomime which succeeded in delighting children and their parents – who were all socially distanced in the audience.

In a surprising twist, this year’s playscript was punctuated with clever references to the unique conditions of 2020. Even if it feels as if you haven’t been outside for 100 years, you might also have recognised some familiar faces in the cast.

Radio presenter Wayne Bavin, who is known for presenting a show on BBC Radio Northampton, was cast in the role of villain Cara the Boss. He stunned the audience with his evil ways, and surprised me when he revealed his gold lame drawers during one of his quick change numbers!

Dance director of Step by Step dance school, Andrzej Mialkowski played his first role in pantomime and regally spearheaded many of the show’s dance routines. It looked like he had been doing panto for years!

I was looking forward to hearing Fairy Nuff, otherwise known as Lydia Lucy, a previous finalist on The Voice UK, sing. She certainly delivered when she sang a duet towards the end of the show - I’d like to have heard her sing a solo. Cydnee-Mae Sherman gave a confident performance in her first senior role as her side-kick Fairy Nearly.

Prince Keith, played by Chris Wills, also deserves a mention, not least because the cast collectively said: “Huh??” whenever his name was mentioned.

Seasoned veterans of panto and children’s theatre, Mark Jones and pantomime dame (Colin Ridgewell) worked their tights off on the night. Phew! As Mester the Jester, Mark took on so many other characters, his wardrobe changes must have been as quick as a tooth fairy nabbing your tooth from beneath your pillow!

My favourite scene was when he pretended to be the Queen’s (Colin Ridgewell) reflection in a broken mirror and had to mirror her every move, in between pulling faces when her back was turned. Hilarious!

The children in the audience loved it when he squirted them with what appeared to be giant hand sanitisers – fortunately turning out to be filled with water!

Three quick changes in a row later, he singlehandedly played three Princes come to woo the Princess and delivered some cheesy jokes with great dexteri.-brie.

Supported by dancers from Step by Step Dance school and Unit 17, Starlight, all the cast played their part in a panto that was pulled off in restrictive conditions.

Thank you to the Deco for their dedication in ensuring “The show must go on.”

For tickets for the show please visit the theatre’s website: https://www.thedeco.co.uk/event/sleeping-beauty-christmas-2020/