- Christmas
- 20th Nov 2024
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We’ve seen the rehearsal, and trust us, you don’t want to miss The Little Mermaid panto at Theatre Royal Newcastle this Christmas
The show has its own songs, incredible dance numbers, and the cast are naturally hilarious. It’s a really, really, great night out that you shouldn’t miss.
Maggie Lynn (Ariel)
This Christmas, Theatre Royal Newcastle brings the magic of The Little Mermaid to life with their much-loved festive pantomime.
I’ll be honest here: I haven’t seen a pantomime since my early childhood, and I can’t say it was something I had planned in the near future.
But when HLN was invited along to the press rehearsal of The Little Mermaid, I was intrigued – more because I wanted to see what behind-the-scenes of theatre show preparation was really like.
What followed was dancing in my seat almost the entire time, belly laughing at the cast, rewatching the videos on my phone, telling all my friends about it and booking tickets to go with my family.
It was so feel-good; I was bouncing around for the rest of the day.
Following the performance, we sat down with some of the cast: Maggie Lynn (Ariel), Christian Maynard (Prince Eric) and Wayne Smith (King Triton).
Reflecting on what makes pantomime so special compared to traditional theatre shows, they said: “They’re fast-paced, funny, and bring people together as a family. It’s a time to laugh, let loose, and just enjoy yourself.”
This year’s show strikes a perfect balance of humour, with plenty of cheeky innuendos to entertain adults while keeping the kids engaged. “If the kids understand them, they’re old enough to hear them,” joked Maggie. “They’re so tastefully included that it just strikes the perfect balance where adults can laugh, and kids don’t even notice – it’s an art, really.”
The panto magic is guided by much-loved veterans Danny Adams and Clive Webb, alongside Geordie legend Joe McElderry, who masterfully make every performance feel fresh and spontaneous. “It’s like watching magicians – they create a sense that anything could happen.” said Wayne.
The goodies and the baddies
For some, pantomime is a chance to play roles they’d never imagined. “Last year I was the villain – it’s so much fun,” said Wayne, who this year plays King Triton. “Now I’m a dad character, and it’s great because I’m pushed differently every year. The team dynamic changes each year too, with new cast members added, but we always have incredible new talent, particularly this year, who fit in so well.”
Behind the scenes, the cast builds their chemistry long before the curtain rises. They start rehearsals weeks in advance, receiving scripts before meeting in the rehearsal room. “We’ve already learned the scripts before we arrive”, explains Christian. “So, when we get into the room together, it’s about how the cast gels together and finding out where we can sprinkle in the magic.”
Living the panto life
The festive season brings huge lifestyle changes for the cast, many of whom relocate to Newcastle for the run. Maggie is married with a three-year-old, and this is the longest she’s been away from her little girl (don’t worry, she’s coming up next week). “But Newcastle is such a welcoming city – it makes it easier.”
With gruelling schedules – sometimes three shows a day – the cast emphasises the importance of staying healthy. “You’ve got to eat well, stay fit, and look after yourself,” they said. “Which is so hard when you have the Christmas market right on the doorstep when you go for lunch – we’ve been told to try a Pablo Eggsgobao, so that’s on the list to try this week”
The unique charm of Newcastle
Ask any cast member, and they’ll tell you that Newcastle audiences are special. “The North East is so friendly – you walk down the street, and people say hello. It carries into the theatre,” said Christian. “There’s a local feel, even though it’s a city. People come ready to laugh and have a great time.”
Why you should see The Little Mermaid this year…
So, why should you grab tickets? The answer is simple: to laugh.
Maggie summed it up perfectly: “There’s so much going on in the world right now. Panto lets you forget it all, sit back, and enjoy yourself. You can sit back and relax or get out of your seat and dance. This show has its own songs, incredible dance numbers, and the cast are naturally hilarious. It’s a really, really, good night, guaranteed.”
And as they all agreed: “Laughing is good for the soul.”
Whether it’s your first panto or your fiftieth, The Little Mermaid promises to be a night of festive cheer, family fun, and laughter that will leave you bouncing…
We guarantee you’ll love it.
The Little Mermaid will be showing at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 26th November 2024 – Sunday 12 January 2025.
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