BAZ BAMIGBOYE: Julian Clary and his panto pals still aim for Christmas fun 

Julian Clary tried on his new costume for the London Palladium Pantoland spectacular yesterday and declared: ‘The present will go on!’

When the second lockdown began there have been fears that the pantomimes and festive treats deliberate for the Yuletide season wouldn’t be allowed to open. However by all accounts, it could seem that Christmas gained’t be cancelled in spite of everything (sure, that outdated chestnut).

As Clary was being fitted into his gaily colored frock — whereas sporting a security visor (pictured) — Pantoland showman Michael Harrison was busy getting ready for rehearsals. 

These will start on November 30, with Clary joined by Elaine Paige, Beverley Knight, Ashley Banjo and Variety, Nigel Havers, Gary Wilmot, Paul Zerdin and Jac Yarrow. Pantoland is about to run on the Palladium from December 12. 

Subsequent week Harrison will maintain a mass Zoom assembly with the Pantoland ensemble, plus the casts and crews from the 9 regional pantos he’s presenting with the Qdos group. 

‘You spend as a lot time on the Covid-19 measures we’re bringing in as you do speaking concerning the exhibits.

‘Everyone’s going to participate. Not only for themselves, however for the great of others,’ stated Harrison, who advised me that every of his exhibits could have a Covid marshal.

‘One marshal per present, to make sure all people maintains social distancing; how props are handed, easy methods to maintain socially distant on stage — and within the auditorium, and entrance of home. All the security procedures can be in place to verify all of the employees, and the entire viewers, are secure.’

He admitted that when information of the second lockdown broke ‘hearts sank throughout theatreland’. 

‘However in our enterprise, all people rallies collectively. And that’s what we’ve been doing.’ 

He famous that his exhibits alone will present 2,000 jobs for theatre freelancers — which can additional increase the business’s ecosystem, together with the eating places, bars and outlets within the neighborhood of the varied venues. 

Now, although, he and Clary must re-write the Pantoland script. Once more. 

‘There’s new materials coming in day-after-day!’ he stated, explaining that information of the vaccine had not simply cheered all people up, but in addition supplied one other wealthy supply of risque gags.

Lily James joined Shazad Latif, Emma Thompson, director Shekhar Kapur and author Jemima Khan for a read-through final week of Khan’s first characteristic movie script, tentatively titled What’s Love Bought To Do With It? 

Set principally in London and Pakistan, the romantic comedy is about two buddies (James and Latif) who fall in love. The Working Title and Studio Canal movie is because of be filmed subsequent month.

Be careful for…

John Lloyd Younger, who gained the Tony award for his portrayal of Frankie Valli within the unique New York manufacturing of Jersey Boys (he additionally led the film model, directed by Clint Eastwood).

Younger can be performing his Vegas Vacation present from The House in Las Vegas, which can be streamed dwell on December 4, and obtainable on demand for an additional week (thespacelv.com).

I properly bear in mind arriving in Manhattan again in October 2005, when my pal Adrian Bryan-Brown, the Broadway spokesman, advised me to cancel my plans and head to an early preview of Jersey Boys. Watch the present, he advised me, however particularly watch Lloyd Younger, as a result of ‘he’s going to be a star’.

I not often do as I’m advised, however on this event I’m happy that I did. What a voice.

Rob Houchen and Celinde Schoenmaker, who star in musical revue Marry Me A Little. Initially conceived by Craig Lucas and Norman Rene in 1980, it makes use of discards, remnants and early compositions by Stephen Sondheim.

This manufacturing was operating on the Barn Theatre in Cirencester — till it was halted by the second lockdown.

Director Kirk Jameson and his artistic group had the great sense to movie the revival, which can be streamed from Thursday (November 19) and run until November 22. Tickets are £13.50 through barntheatre.org.uk/all-venues.

The present’s title quantity was minimize from Sondheim’s Firm, although it’s now sung on the finish of act one in most productions.

Different songs given a brand new lease on life embrace There Gained’t Be Trumpets (axed from Anybody Can Whistle); and Saturday Night time (title quantity from a present Sondheim wrote music and lyrics for in 1954 that wasn’t carried out till the Bridewell Theatre mounted it in 1997…Olivier winner Tracie Bennett was in it!).

There are lots of others, however I have to point out Bang!, which by no means made it out of rehearsals for A Little Night time Music, and All Issues Vibrant And Stunning, considered one of many songs that fell by the wayside through the writing of Follies.