Panto Hits the Big 50
Tring’s annual panto is 50, having grown from its humble beginnings at Victoria Hall in 1975. It’s back again this year, and although on the surface things will be the same, underneath things are a little different.
The musical director Tony Evans and regular writer Nick Russon tell us a bit about how things have changed.
Tell the readers how you both got involved in Tring’s pantomime?
Nick – When Emma, my wife, and I first moved to Tring, we wanted to get involved with the local amateur theatre scene as that is our shared hobby; panto specifically is my passion. Luckily for me I met a guy called Ian Gower and I was invited to play the village idiot role in Jack & the Beanstalk – this was back in 2004. Since then, Ian and I have written many of the shows and Tring’s panto has grown to be a huge draw every year, often with multiple generations of families in the audience. I’ve only missed a couple of years, but this guy…
Tony – He’s a part timer. No, just joking. I slipped accidentally into the role of musical director in 2007; having been on the tech crew the year before, I rather stupidly played piano in the bar afterwards. Once Nick knew I could play, the rest is history and I haven’t missed a year since. Like the whole creative team, cast and crew, the band do this just for fun and totally free of charge. My only contractual obligation is that each year, Nick and I must do Parkrun, before the show on 1 January, which is his birthday. He’s also 50 this time round.
Nick – Yeah, thanks for that, it’s the most enjoyable part of the whole thing, not. But at least this year you and I also both hit Parkrun 100 and 50 respectively, maybe the cast will join us?
Tony – Unlikely. But if any readers want to, we will be at Wendover Woods, 9am 1 January 2025. We will be the parkrunners in fancy dress…. oh yes we will!
Nick – Oh great.
The panto seems to have gone from strength to strength in recent years, so what is changing and why?
Nick – In short, the theatre management has changed hands. Profits from the pantomime were traditionally recycled back into the theatre; the change in theatre management means this is now not the case. So a new charity has been created to distribute those profits to a wider ‘amateur performing arts’ base in the Tring area. You may see the new entity name, which is Tring Performing Arts Trust (TPAT).
Tony – It gives our panto audience the knowledge that their hard-earned money now spreads further, supporting music, theatre, dance and other amateur performing arts causes in the immediate area. If you want to support local performing arts, look out for details on how to become a member of TPAT.
Will the show be any different?
Nick – Absolutely not. It will still be a fun show for the whole family, with not a celebrity in sight. Except our Dame, Colin Hubbocks, who has his own fan club!
Tony – As always, the show is likely to sell out, so get your tickets at dembetheatre.org/whatson/aladdin-2024 without delay.
Tring’s annual pantomime this year is Aladdin and takes place at the newly named DEMBE Theatre, Station Road, Tring from 28 Dec to 1 Jan 2025, tickets priced from £12. Running time is 1hr 50mins.