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The Panto Podcast

You might know me as that evil bugger that writes this Chortle quiz every Tuesday. I make no apologies for that. 

But now I wanted to share a little something else that I do. 

I’ve loved pantomime all my life, the chance to spend two hours back in childhood, singing along, booing and hissing and most of all in riotous laughter. 

I’m also a huge lover of podcasts, but there was nothing that covered panto, so just over two years ago I organised a few recordings with the cast and creatives from that world. Now it’s reached 142 countries and been downloaded more than 430,000 times. This little project has become my proudest work. Each guest gives their time for free, to educate, entertain and share their love of theatre.

The different routes people took to get into the business, the changing attitudes, embracing of different cultures, how it’s evolving and the fact that this artform keeps theatres running for the rest of the year goes to show how important pantomime is to the entertainment world.

The first introduction to theatre for many children is pantomime, shaping so many of today’s performers too. The laugh from a custard pie splatting in the face of the dopey comic could easily spark the idea of a career in the mind of a six-year-old. 

I was also proud that last year these recordings were placed in the archives of London’s V&A Museum for future generations to enjoy. 

On the show Paul Chuckle told the story of how Chucklevision saved a girl’s life (which The Sun decided to pinch and run as an exclusive) and how performing to 30 people in a 1,200-seater theatre changed his life, as the commissioner for Children’s BBC was in the audience. 

Over the episodes, you’ll also hear how The Song Sheet (the part where children come up on stage and join in with a song) can be the biggest risk of upstaging even the most seasoned pro.

Bradford legend Billy Pearce, Belfast powerhouse Dame May McFetteridge, Only Fools and Horses John Challis, Gareth Joyner aka Myra Dubois, Crackerjack comedian Stu Francis, West Country favourite Andy Ford, The Grumbleweeds, Armenian funny pianist Kev Orkian, the comedy character Doreen Tipton, ukelele-playing Andy Eastwood, funny man Phil Walker, the devilishly funny ITV Chaser Anne Hegerty,  York’s most famous Dame Berwick Kaler, West End star Martin Barrass, ventriloquist Steve Hewlett, Hollywood and Tracy Beaker actor Clive Rowe MBE, writer and comedy actor Eric Potts, veteran entertainer Freddie Parrot Face Davies, the ostrich riding Bernie Clifton and so many more have told their stories, you have a selection to last you more than 92 hours. 

One of the most poignant episodes was with Jimmy Patton. The Patton Brothers, were a hilarious double act who were megastars of variety, to those under 50, you’ll probably know them as ‘Mr No Slacking’ and ‘Mr Get Out Of It’ from Chucklevision. I recorded Jimmy a few weeks before he passed away. I’ve had lovely messages from the family to say how much comfort it brought them.

These horrible times have had such an enormous impact on so many. Roy Hudd and Bobby Ball had both agreed to be guests, with the restrictions I couldn’t get to them in time, so sadly I’ve lost that chance lost forever. 

Pantomime this year is in dire straights, as is the  entire theatre industry. An industry worth £2.8billion last year to the UK economy, worth saving isn’t it? 

During the summer I went on my travels, recording with some truly wonderful performers, and I will be broadcasting their stories over the next twelve weeks. This weekend to celebrate the return of the podcast, it’s a double bill with Basil Brush and the 94-year-old ‘Welsh Prince of Laughter’ Wyn Calvin. 

Hope you enjoy them and stay safe.

• The Panto Podcast is available here, and at all the usual distributors, plus on YouTube with subtitles.

Published: 3 Nov 2020