It’s behind you! Sir Ian McKellen and Su Pollard among winners at the Pantomime Awards
Knight of the stage Sir Ian McKellen, Hi-de-Hi! star Su Pollard and TV presenter Vernon Kay were among the winners at the 2023 Pantomime Awards.
Performers and others who worked on the pantomime productions of classic fairy-tales including Jack And The Beanstalk, Cinderella and Beauty And The Beast were all recognised at the annual event.
The star-studded ceremony took place at the Trafalgar Theatre in London’s West End on Tuesday.
It was hosted by UK Pantomime Association (UKPA) president Christopher Biggins.
Sir Ian was honoured with a special recognition award, which celebrates productions and individuals representing UKPA values, for his passionate advocacy and services to the artform of pantomime.
The veteran film and stage actor recently starred in a production of Mother Goose, as the eponymous goose, alongside comedian John Bishop.
Sir Ian McKellen with his fellow Mother Goose cast members John Bishop and Mel Giedroyc in October 2022
His co-star Anna-Jane Casey also took home the best supporting artist award, and the show itself won best pantomime in the 500 to 900 seater category.
Special recognition awards were also given to the Cast, Doncaster theatre and Theatre Royal Stratford East, who were both recognised for their work towards furthering inclusivity.
Pollard received the outstanding achievement award for her many decades of passion and commitment to treading the boards in pantos around the country.
The English actress has appeared in over 35 stage plays and musicals, as well as over 40 pantomimes throughout her career.
Kay won the best newcomer to pantomime award for his performance in Cinderella, which was put on at the Wycombe Swan theatre in High Wycombe.
The production was the TV presenter and DJ’s pantomime debut, starring in the role of Dandini, an experience he previously described as an “emotional rollercoaster”.
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Simon Sladen, chair of the UKPA said: “The Pantomime Awards celebrate an array of outstanding talent and demonstrate an industry alive and thriving.
“The commitment, creativity and passion on show each season makes pantomime one of the most thrilling of all theatrical genres.
“The UK Pantomime Association is proud to recognise and acknowledge the outstanding skill, expertise and excellence upon the pantomime stage.”
Founded in 2021, the UKPA is a charity that explores, shares and celebrates pantomime by investigating the genre’s rich past, engaging with contemporary practice and inspiring the future.
Butlin’s was the principal sponsor for the UK Pantomime Awards 2023.
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner and investor of Swansea football club saying it’s ‘an underdog just like me’
Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
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One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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