TRADITIONAL PANTO - OH NO IT ISN'T
December, 2017
Look out behind you! It appears a new kind of Christmas pantomime is coming to Islington this time of year. It comes in the form of the King’s Head Theatre Pub. A traditional pub with a not so traditional twist. The theatre pub has launched its new Christmas pantomime ‘King Tut – A Pyramid Panto’, rated an impressive four stars and described as “wickedly inventive” by The Stage. The theatre pub, founded in 1970, is the first theatre pub since Shakespearean times and has won the ‘Offies’ best theatre bar award for both 2011 and 2012.
The cast is small and is made up of five members who between them play the eight characters on stage. Francesca Fenech, an actress, said: “I did a panto here last year and I’m glad to be back, its quite a cosy environment and I think this is especially nice at Christmas.” Miss Fenech, who plays Evelyn in the pantomime, said she has worked in both bigger theatres and pub theatres but finds the intimacy of the performance in a pub panto to be “what’s most enjoyed” by both herself and the audience. The 27-year-old actress didn’t originally intend on performing in pantomime, but says she knows there’s a strong tradition behind pantomime at Christmas and she likes that she can make people “still feel like a kid”. As a child, Francesca used to watch the pantomime with her family, now as she has grown older she recognises a want for this style of alternative pantomime, she said: “As you grow older your humour changes, you soon realise, I’m not a kid anymore and it loses its magic, that’s why it’s good to have shows like this.” The King’s Head pub and theatre both operate separately, however, it is clear the businesses both work well together, adding value at both ends. “They compliment each other,” she said. “It adds to the charm.” Miss Fenech also added: “I think around Christmas when people are feeling a little more festive, they can have that extra drink and laugh at the panto, the concept is great.”
The theatre does provide children matinees, with all crude jokes and explicit language removed, however, primarily, the performance is intended to be adult-only. Prithi Ravindar, an audience member, said: “I like the adults only theme, it means they don’t hold back and I can enjoy the jokes and the drink!” The 37-year-old has never been to a pantomime inside a pub before but said she found the concept to be entertaining. She added it seems “more personal” and likes that they are able to have more interaction with the audience. Miss Ravindar, who was recommended by a colleague, believes this kind of pantomime is in demand and will do well. “It wasn’t what I imagined but its quaint,” she said. “I’ll definitely be recommending this.”
Towards the back of the pub are two understated double doors that open into the theatre, without the illuminated ‘box office’ sign and eventually a final ticket call announcement, there is no real indication that a theatre is actually there. The theatre itself is small, you can see every facial expression and hear every line and the cast can see and hear you all the same. Oscar French, Producer at the King’s Head Theatre said: “There’s a much greater sense of connection, it means if you’re laughing the laughs are greater and if you’re crying the tears are bigger.” Oscar French has been working with the company since 2015 and has produced performances such as Kate Lock’s ‘Russian Dolls’ and Paul Boakye’s ‘Boy With Beer’. “With having a boutique panto, it’s very well suited to the local area, people want to get together at Christmas to come and see this,” he said. “The audience come for this specific and unique style of panto.” Mr French believes there is room for this style of panto to grow, but explained, “It’s not about survival, if we tried to be like a bigger panto we would not survive, it’s about being different and staying true to the spirit of doing a panto our way.” The company has been highly regarded by reviewers and critics and its subversion of traditional panto has given it an impressive ability to stand out against theatre normality. “That’s how we will survive,” Mr French said. “By doing things the bigger pantos simply can’t do.”
The King’s Head Theatre’s pantomime encapsulates everything a traditional panto needs, an evil villain, sing-a-longs and innuendos. This alternative panto keeps the magic alive for adults and with an extra boozy twist, what is not to like, boys and girls…