There were cheers and boos, oohs and aahs in the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury this week at the first read-through of this year’s pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.
Opening in a fortnight for a six-week run, and starring the Strictly Come Dancing winner Joanne Clifton, boyband singer Duncan James and a real dog, the script is packed with corny gags and local jokes that are the panto hallmark.
“It’s great to be back,” the writer and director Paul Hendy told the cast and production team. Like most theatres, the Marlowe cancelled its show last year because of Covid restrictions, blowing a massive hole in its annual budget.
This year, panto is bigger than ever. All over the country, minor celebs have been cast, Widow Twankey’s crinoline dresses
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