"Panto" must be quite the thing; so many stars and ex-stars of Corrie ( and the 'other') do a stint. It must be a great supplement to wages as well as a change?
I'm sure it isn't the only job they can get, but panto roles for tv actors are instantly available parts that they can usually snaffle up without even auditioning, rather than the round of castings for other tv & legit theatre roles. The panto companies are completing their lineups around this period. 'Names & Dames' are usually cast around about March but if they find they have an uncast Fleshcreep or Silly Billy going, for which they intended to get in an unknown and then a strongly recognisable face from Corrie becomes available, they'll snatch them up because they they are a box-office draw. Whether they SHOULD be a draw is another matter ... some are pretty useless in panto, which is, contrary to popular belief, a specific skill. What usually happens is that the rest of the cast, largely unknowns, end up 'carrying' the big Name. Not always the case, of course; some Names have panto experience from before their tv break. John Savident did his first ever panto turn in a televised panto a few years back, playing Widow Twankey; now traditional Daming is a very specific traditional skill, a far cry from putting on bad makeup & a frock and camping about. It's a physical discipline, among other things, and very demanding. Sir Ian McKellan, when he played Twankey at the Old Vic, actually had to have a Dame Coach! But John Savident proved an absolute natural.
Steven Arnold, who's leaving Coronation Street in his role as Ashley Peacock, is joining pantomine this Christmas.
"Panto" must be quite the thing; so many stars and ex-stars of Corrie ( and the 'other') do a stint.
ReplyDeleteIt must be a great supplement to wages as well as a change?
Is Keith Harris in the panto as well. He may be playing Orville?
ReplyDeleteHe is 'pursuing other roles' then....
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's the only jobs they can get.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it isn't the only job they can get, but panto roles for tv actors are instantly available parts that they can usually snaffle up without even auditioning, rather than the round of castings for other tv & legit theatre roles. The panto companies are completing their lineups around this period. 'Names & Dames' are usually cast around about March but if they find they have an uncast Fleshcreep or Silly Billy going, for which they intended to get in an unknown and then a strongly recognisable face from Corrie becomes available, they'll snatch them up because they they are a box-office draw. Whether they SHOULD be a draw is another matter ... some are pretty useless in panto, which is, contrary to popular belief, a specific skill. What usually happens is that the rest of the cast, largely unknowns, end up 'carrying' the big Name. Not always the case, of course; some Names have panto experience from before their tv break. John Savident did his first ever panto turn in a televised panto a few years back, playing Widow Twankey; now traditional Daming is a very specific traditional skill, a far cry from putting on bad makeup & a frock and camping about. It's a physical discipline, among other things, and very demanding. Sir Ian McKellan, when he played Twankey at the Old Vic, actually had to have a Dame Coach! But John Savident proved an absolute natural.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness he is leaving Corrie. I couldn't stand his whiny, snivelling voice and his prissy, moronic manner.
ReplyDelete