The Theatre Royal York pantomime is fabulous. Different to any other it has has evolved over the years to feel more like a huge group of friends. We even have FB groups about it!
Booking opens in March, and if you want to go any time close to Christmas, you must book then
Our dame Berwick Kaler has been the face of our panto, he writes, directs and plays the dame. He is funny and non smutty. He has spoiled me for any other panto dame with their double entendres and toilet humour.
He hails from Sunderland but made York his home many years ago. His opening lines of 'Me babbies, me bairns!' has put Christmas on the right track for so many of us each year
This year was Berwick's 40th year. I have seen all but one of his pantos. I was pregnant with DD2 when I saw his first. None of us knew he would still be doing it aged 72!
We knew the day had to come when he would retire, and it has this year.
I have watched him perform, with my husband, then husband and children, and mum and dad came along too for many years. Then when OH and I parted it was just me and DD3 for a couple of years. Then DD2 came along too when GD was old enough and we 4 went for a few years. This year no DD3, as she is in Canada (so sadly misses Berwick's last panto) but DD1 brought GS1 along or the first time.
We are all sad, but want him to have a happy retirement as he has had his health problems recently. 4 other cast members have been with him for decades and others for several years. Once in a York panto you don't want to leave it seems.
We don't know what the future holds. Traditionally Berwick announces next years panto on the last night which is February 2nd.
We dearly hope that he will still be involved, with writing and directing, but we don't know. I also hope all our other favourites stay.
Whatever happens it is indeed the end of an era. A wonderful one.
https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2...berwick-kaler/
Booking opens in March, and if you want to go any time close to Christmas, you must book then
Our dame Berwick Kaler has been the face of our panto, he writes, directs and plays the dame. He is funny and non smutty. He has spoiled me for any other panto dame with their double entendres and toilet humour.
He hails from Sunderland but made York his home many years ago. His opening lines of 'Me babbies, me bairns!' has put Christmas on the right track for so many of us each year
This year was Berwick's 40th year. I have seen all but one of his pantos. I was pregnant with DD2 when I saw his first. None of us knew he would still be doing it aged 72!
We knew the day had to come when he would retire, and it has this year.
I have watched him perform, with my husband, then husband and children, and mum and dad came along too for many years. Then when OH and I parted it was just me and DD3 for a couple of years. Then DD2 came along too when GD was old enough and we 4 went for a few years. This year no DD3, as she is in Canada (so sadly misses Berwick's last panto) but DD1 brought GS1 along or the first time.
We are all sad, but want him to have a happy retirement as he has had his health problems recently. 4 other cast members have been with him for decades and others for several years. Once in a York panto you don't want to leave it seems.
We don't know what the future holds. Traditionally Berwick announces next years panto on the last night which is February 2nd.
We dearly hope that he will still be involved, with writing and directing, but we don't know. I also hope all our other favourites stay.
Whatever happens it is indeed the end of an era. A wonderful one.
https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2...berwick-kaler/
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