Sinbad The Pantomime: All the nice girls love a sailor

Published on Friday 20 November 2009 14:45

It's that time of the year again, folks – panto time. 'Oh, no, it isn't!' Oh, yes, it is. 'Oh, no, it isn't!' Oh, yes, it is! And it's coming to you direct from the Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary staging professional productions, the popular theatre unveils its new festive-season pantomime next week. A sea-faring tale that brings together two of panto and Disney's most popular characters, Sinbad The Sailor and The Little Mermaid, all ships lead to the Honest Toun. Have you got your tickets yet?

Written and directed by Evening News arts and entertainment editor Liam Rudden, Sinbad The Pantomime follows on from previously successful productions such as Dick McWhitt-ington, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty (also written by Rudden).

And, just like a game of Connect 4, it doesn't matter whether you're four years old or 104, there's enough interactive entertainment to ensure smiles on everyone's faces.

So what's the story about, then, eh? Well, deep beneath the Bass Rock lies the secret undersea paradise Atlantis – home to the Little Mermaid and the Pearl of Beauty, a jewel with magical properties. When the evil witch Crabsclaw attacks the peace-loving Merfolk of Atlantis in search of the Pearl, the Little Mermaid is forced to swim ashore for help.

Washed up on Fisherrow Beach, she is discovered by Sinbad The Sailor, who happens to live on a ship in Fisherrow Harbour with his mammy, Saucy Nancy, and daft brother Swishee. Together, they set off on a quest to find the great Neptune, Lord of the Seas – and the only being powerful enough to defeat the Sea Witch.

Starring Aaron Usher (Swishee) and Craig Glover (Saucy Nancy), the two actors have been hard at work preparing for the show. So hard in fact, it's leaving Usher and Glover out of breath.

"I've been learning the hornpipes and it goes really, really fast," pants Usher. "I'm so unfit. Between learning our lines and learning harmonies, there's lots of work involved. Some days I'm in at ten in the morning until ten at night."

Glover concurs: "I've never done a 9-to-5 job where I had to try on seven sets of heels and wigs before. There's real discipline to doing pantomime, there are tight deadlines to meet and I have to spend an hour before ever show getting my make-up on. It's madness, but all good fun."

Arguably the most important role in a pantomime, every panto needs a good dame, and Usher – who has featured in more pantos than most people have had hot dinners – is confident they have unearthed a rare gem in Glover.

"He's a great find. I've been in a lot of shows, but it's not often I have a mother who is younger than me," laughs Usher.

Indeed. Having played the supporting role in previous pantos, Glover is delighted to be finally stepping (literally) into a different set of tights.

"I played ugly sisters for years," says Glover, looking back, "so I'm delighted to be performing as the dame. When Terry Scott used to prepare for being the dame, he would basically make the character an extension of himself. I'm a happy, jolly kind of person anyway, so the dame will be an exaggerated version of myself.

"Sometimes I can't sleep when working on the panto, the lines are constantly running through my head, but I make sure I have my five-a-day (fruit and vegetables) and drink plenty of water."

If there's one thing that's made the Brunton's pantomime shows so popular over the years, it's the local referencing that goes into the production. As Usher jokes, however, sometimes you have to be careful who you reference.

"Last year, some kids from Tranent were in. I did a joke about Tranent and got some boos from the audience. I had to tell them it was a joke, so this year I'm going to make sure that I change it to another area when they come in. The people of Musselburgh, though, feel really special because it's written for them. It's good to have banter with them onstage, although last year, a woman tried to keep a conversation going with me throughout the show." The 25-year-old Glover, meanwhile, didn't even know where Tranent was until he started work on the panto.

"I'm from Ayrshire, so at first I wasn't sure how to even pronounce Tranent, let alone find it on a map."

Like HP sauce, bank holidays and watching the Queen's speech on Christmas day, pantomime is a proud British tradition. Every year, theatres pack panto-loving audiences in for months on end, so what is it that still makes panto so popular?

"It's timeless," says 30-year-old Usher. "Panto is one of the few times you get the whole family coming to the theatre and getting involved. The adults love to see the dame character, especially if it's a male; the kids love the silly billy character; the girls love to see the princess, and what frock she's wearing; and the wee boys love a hero.

"For me, though, I absolutely love the reaction you get from the kids – they actually believe in what they're seeing for the two hours they're there."

Glover, on the other hand, believes Sinbad The Pantomime has the upper hand on other pantos because "No other panto is doing one like ours. Fusing two well-known characters together into the same story – you won't see it anywhere. It's great that we have the Little Mermaid as the love interest, and Liam (Rudden] has kept loyal to the traditional aspects of panto."

Like any good panto, sometimes the best things happen when things occasionally go wrong. Indeed, improvisation is a big part of any panto, so, when you have talented and seasoned performers like Usher and Glover around, you can rest assure some of the best laughs will often spring from nothing.

"The beautiful thing about Liam's script is that there are a few sections where it is just me and Swishee and we have free reign to improvise," enthuses Glover. "What you can and can't say, though, all depends on who you have in, and that's what makes it so exciting: sometimes you don't know what you're going to say. I think Aaron and I will be a great double-act."

All bodes well, then, for another cracking pantomime at the Brunton Theatre. A 30th anniversary gala performance will be held on Saturday at 7pm. Tickets for the gala performance are 17.50, and include a sparkling post show reception with wine, canaps and the chance to meet the stars of the show. Tickets will sell fast, so, get your skates on. As Usher suggests, you'll be all the fitter for it, too.

"We've got a fantastic cast and great songs. I don't want to say any more in case I spoil it, but the dame and Swishee have a great finale. And who knows, you might even get a sweetie."

Sinbad The Pantomime featuring The Little Mermaid, Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, today until Saturday 2 January, 10am, 2pm and 7pm various days (call for details), 13.50-15.50 (62 for family of four), 0131-665 2240

Win FREE family tickets

The Guide has teamed up with Brunton Theatre to offer you the chance to attend Thursday evening's 7pm performance of Sinbad the pantomime featuring The Little Mermaid, with four family tickets (one adult plus three kids, or two adults and two kids) to give away.

To enter the draw to win, simply e-mail your name, age and address to theguide@edinburgh news.com with word SINBAD in the subject line.

Entries to be received by 5pm Tuesday. Usual Evening News rules apply, the editor's decision is final.