Panto time is not far away! This year’s Christmas spectacular at The Deco is ‘Cinderella’, starring Lydia Lucy, Lee Bright, Chris Wills, Colin Ridgewell, Sammy Webb, Fern Roach and the much loved and highly respected Deco legend, Clive Fletcher.
And Clive really is a legend. He’s been in all our Pantos since 2010, but more than that, Clive – in character – is the official ‘meeter and greeter’ when audiences arrive at The Deco ahead of the show, and he plays the role brilliantly. Indeed, it’s very much a family affair, because Clive’s wife, Barbara, is one of the ‘unsung heroes’ working hard behind the scenes; if you’re collecting pre-ordered tickets on arrival, then Barbara is the lady at the desk.
This year Clive’s plays Baron Hardup in Cinderella, and as ever, he is looking forward to another busy December doing what he loves. “The Deco puts on fantastic Panto, and I’m privileged to be a part of it,” he said. “I look forward so much to Panto season – it’s so lovely to see families coming to the theatre for what we all hope is a magical experience for them all, but obviously, especially for the young children.
“Nothing makes me happier, as a performer, than hearing the children laughing, screaming, singing along with us, and generally having a great time,” said Clive. “But it’s just as rewarding for me, and all of us in the cast, to see the adults having just as much fun.
“Cinderella’s going to be another great show, with a fantastic cast once again: Lydia, Chris, Colin and Fern are all familiar with our audiences, it’s good to see Lee back again, and Sammy is not just a very good director, he and Colin are going to be brilliant Ugly Sisters.
“I should also point out that I never cease to be amazed each year at the outstanding talents of the young dancers who support the main cast.”
Away from Panto, Clive is also a regular performing in The Deco’s popular shows ‘The Glory of Music Hall’ – the next one, ‘There’ll Always Be An England’, commemorating the end of the First World War, is on Thursday, November 15th.
Said Clive: “These are thoroughly enjoyable afternoon shows, and we get lovely audiences who join us to roll back the years, and it’s a pleasure to be involved with them.”
You can see Clive and the team in Cinderella at The Deco between December 7 and 29. You can book online: https://www.theoldsavoy.co.uk/event/cinderella/, call the Box Office on 01604 491005, or pop by to The Deco between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday.
