Swan’s panto to pave streets with gold

Catherine Phillips

04 December 2009

THE STREETS of Worcester will be paved with Panto gold this Christmas as Dick Whittington, his allies and his enemies arrive at Worcester’s Swan Theatre.
The story of Dick Whittington tells the rags-to-riches tale of the poor boy from Gloucester who makes his way to London to seek his fortune.
With help from his cheeky feline friend Tommy, Dick sets out to find out if the streets really are paved with gold and if good really can defeat evil.
The cast have just arrived in Worcester from all over the country to start intensive rehearsals in the run up to Christmas.
Leading lady, Notzarina Reevers is playing Alice and is really excited to be in her first Swan Theatre panto.
She said: “I’m really looking forward to playing Alice. I have known Ben Humphrey who is playing Dick Whittington for years since we studied together at Bristol Old Vic, so it’s brilliant to know I’m acting with someone I respect already and who is fun to be around.
“It’s really intense in rehearsals, there’s so much to learn in such a short time and we have to be absolutely perfect for the opening show.
“It’s fantastic fun too, the cast and crew become like one big family and it’s so rewarding to see and hear how much the audience are enjoying it once the show opens.”
Other new faces to the panto include John Martin-Stevens playing the Pirate King, and local boy Rob Leetham playing Captain Cockles, while regulars to the Swan Theatre panto will be thrilled to see the legendary Richard Curnow back playing the role of Sarah the Cook, Graeme Brookes, last year’s Friar Tuck, playing Mate Muscles and Liz Grand taking the role of the evil Queen Rat.
The Swan panto promises to be old-fashioned traditional family fun, with all the panto favourites, booing the baddies, cheering the heroes, singing along and having a great fun time.
Tickets are available now, for showings from Monday, December 7 to Sunday, January 3, priced from £9.95 to £14.95.
To book call the Worcester Live Box Office on 01905 611427 or see www.worcesterlive.co.uk.

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