One of the first pantomimes to open in Berkshire has its first curtain call this weekend. The Theatre Royal Windsor is preparing to launch Dick Whittington, once again starring Basil Brush, Kevin Cruise and Steven Blakeley.
The trio have become a festive staple for Windsor, with Blakeley playing the dame and writing the script, while Kevin Cruise acts the fool in their solid double act.
Joining them as Queen Rat is the New Seekers’ legend Lyn Paul, while comedian and impressionist Hilary O’Neil will play Fairy Bowbells.
Who’s who in Dick Whittington at Theatre Royal Windsor
Steven Blakeley is Sarah The Cook
For the 16th consecutive pantomime, Steven Blakeley has made Windsor his festive home.
During that time, he has been an Ugly Sister, and the Dame.
He has also written and directed many of the shows, creating scripts that play to the strengths of his double act with Kevin Cruise, and making the most of Basil Brush’s residency.
Away from the Theatre Royal Windsor, he was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Off West End Awards for his role in The Roundabout, which played in both London and New York.
He was also a regular in the ITV drama Heartbeat, and has appeared in Coronation Street, Holby City and Emmerdale.
Kevin Cruise is Jack
Another mainstay of Theatre Royal Windsor’s pantomimes, Kevin Cruise made it through to the live finals of the fourth series of Britain’s Got Talent and has toured the land as Mr Martin to Basil Brush.
The pair perform in both a family show and a special grown-up version for adults only, and will be found at Butlins and onboard P&O cruise ships next year.
Kevin has also appeared at Glastonbury, took part in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert in Hyde Park, and enjoyed three different stints at Edinburgh Fringe festival.
This year is Kevin’s 15th season at Theatre Royal Windsor, gaining the title ‘Windsor’s very own Calamitous Comic’, and racked up more than 1,000 performances.
He runs the Kevin Cruise Foundation, a charity dedicated to helping people who would otherwise not be able to afford tickets to enjoy the magic of pantomime. It also provides grants to help students attend a theatre school.
Away from the stage, Kevin is actually Martin Cabble Reid, and a mindfulness coach. He is also an ADHD advocate having recently been diagnosed and wants to break the stigma of Neurodivergent conditions as well as championing mental health awareness.
Basil Brush is Alderman Fitzwarren
Basil Brush has been a staple of children’s television ever since he appeared on the David Nixon Show in the 1960s.
A great friend of The Clangers creator Peter Firmin and Ivan Wood, he went on to having his own Saturday night show on BBC1 and returning to our screens for the CBBC channel as well as regular appearances on Blue Peter.
The cheeky, irreverent, charming, naughty, quick-witted and foxy fellow has become the third part of the double act between Steven Blakeley and Kevin Cruise, and will once again make Windsor’s audiences laugh and smile.
Oh, and shout out very loudly Boom Boom Basil!
Lyn Paul is Queen Rat
In a departure from the traditional Dick Whittington story, Windsor’s pantomime has a Queen instead of a King.
Playing her is Lyn Paul, who was a member of The New Seekers back in the 1970s. The band were nominated for a Grammy award for their song I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing, which was adapted into a Coca-Cola commercial.
So popular was it that it sold more than 28 million copies and is one of the 100 best-selling UK singles of all time.
She has toured with the likes of Liza Minnelli, Bikki Carr, Neil Diamond, Andy Williams, and Frank Sinatra, and performed at the inauguration of President Nixon, the first time a non-US act had done so.
It is no surprise that she has enjoyed a career on stage, taking the lead role of Mrs Johnston in Willy Russell’s musical Blood Brothers. Other musicals she has performed in have included Rhinestone Cowboys, Cabaret, and Footloose.
Hilary O’Neil is Fairy Bowbells
The comedian, impressionist and singer began her career working with Ken Dodd at the London Palladium.
In the 1980s, she became a TV star through her role in the Saturday show Copy Cats, starring alongside Gary Wilmott and Andrew O’Connor among others. From there she appeared on numerous TV shows including The Royal Variety Show, Live from the Palladium, Summertime Special, Night of 100 Stars, The Freddie Starr Show, and on Des O’Connor Tonight.
She has taken her one-woman show around the world, guesting on cruise ships, entertaining British troops, and performing Down Under.
Away from being on stage, she is active behind it, acting as an agent for many talented acts including mind reader Matt Daniel-Baker, and organising comedy nights for the Mane Chance charity.
Read more: More pantomimes across Reading and surrounding areas this Christmas
Mikko Juan is Dick Whittington
Originally from Seatle, Mikko came to the UK five years ago and is making his Windsor pantomime debut with the title role in the show.
He has appeared on the BBC show Better Things and the Amazon show The Power, as well as a string of top theatrical shows such as The Changeling, Macbeath and Go! The Musical.
For Sunderland’s famous Empire theatre, he starred as Aladdin.
Mia Welsh is Alice Fitzwarren
Originally trained at the Italia Conti Academy, Mia is returning to the Theatre Royal Windsor following appearances in previous pantomimes Sleeping Beauty and Aladdin.
Rina Punwani is Tallulah
She appeared in the ensemble for Jack at the Beanstalk in the 2021/22 pantomime season at Theatre Royal Windsor, now she’s back as Dick’s cat Tallulah … and she’s had some training for the role as she spent two years playing Rumpleteazer in the musical Cats.
Isabella Everett is the Dance Captain of the Ensemble
No pantomime is complete without a troupe of dancers, and this year they are headed up by Isabella.
She is no stranger to the role, having appeared in previous Theatre Royal Windsor productions of Aladdin and Sleeping Beauty
Also in the ensemble at Theatre Royal Windsor’s pantomime Dick Whittington
Elliot Owen-Cowles is making his third year in Windsor’s pantomime, Kayleigh Cooper was Fairy Sunbeam in 2022, while James Smalley, Andrew Dillon, and Brogan McFarlane are making their debuts.
When can I see Dick Whittington at the Theatre Royal Windsor and how do I get tickets?
The first performance will be on Friday, November 22, with the show continuing until Sunday, January 12. Some shows have already sold out.
Tickets cost from £19, and there are family tickets available on select performances.
There are also special prices for schools and youth groups, with tickets cost £15.50 on selected dates.
Full details of these are all on the Theatre Royal Windsor’s website, https://theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/dick-whittington-24/
Across the run, more than 45,000 people are expected to join in the festive fun.
And as in previous years, the theatre is holding special performances for people with additional needs.
To book tickets or find out more, log on to: https://theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/dick-whittington-24/ or call the box office on 01753 853888.
A relaxed performance
This performance will see lighting levels adjusted, sound levels reduced, and additional staff on duty.
Audience members are also able to come and go as they please.
This is aimed at helping reduce anxiety, encourage freedom of expression, and ensure a safe experience.
It is particularly suitable for people who are autistic, have sensory or communication disorders, learning disabilities or anyone who doesn’t like bangs and flashes.
The relaxed performance is scheduled for Tuesday, November 26, from 1.30pm.
Further information: https://theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/whats-on/accessible- performances or contact the Theatre Royal Windsor’s box office team on 01753 853 888.
Audio described performance
To help people who have visual impairments, an audio described performance will take place on Thursday, January 2, at 1pm.
For this show, a describer will be on hand to explain what is happening on stage. This information is relayed via a headset which can be borrowed from the theatre on arrival.
For more details, or to book, log on to: https://theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/whats-on/accessible-performances or contact the Theatre Royal Windsor’s box office team on 01753 853 888.
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