Men in tights

One of the great traditions of the festive season in the UK is the Christmas pantomime. At this time of year there’s scarcely a town in the land that doesn’t have one. Men dress as women, women dress as men, and much slapstick ensues.

It’s an odd form of theatre, rarely found outside the UK, but every year BMDS gives Bermudians the opportunity to participate in the tradition too (this year they’re staging Robinson Crusoe). Alas, it’s a travesty (oh no it isn’t! oh yes it is!) that there is one crucial aspect of the British panto that BMDS fails to honour: the casting of B- and C-list celebrities in the title roles.

For instance, in the UK this year you could see 80’s pop legend Toyah Willcox in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in Milton Keynes, British soap star Patsy Kensit in Aladdin in Richmond, or One Foot In The Grave’s Richard Wilson in Cinderella in Wimbledon.

It’s time our own minor celebrities subjected themselves to the same humiliation. We could have Graeme Outerbridge as the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood, Sheelagh Cooper as Robin Hood in Babes in the Wood, or Bill Zuill and Tim Hodgson as the ugly sisters in Cinderella. I’d be happy to play the role of Grumpy in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

How about it, BMDS?

Comments

[david on 12.12.05 at 13:32]

Hmm Phil since when did you become a C-list celebrity? Just be yourself and play dopey

[44-40 on 12.12.05 at 15:28]

We have Z list "celebrities" here in Bermuda.

[Nicolette on 12.12.05 at 17:19]

And we could have Alex Scott as Pinocchio...

[Martin on 12.12.05 at 18:08]

If not Pinocchio, then Alex would make a fine Widow Twanky. (Hope I spelt that ok)

[Fen on 13.12.05 at 11:29]

Personally, I like the lack of B and C-list celebrities in Bermudian panto. That way you can just enjoy the purity of the art form.

[Seán Pòl Ó Creachmhaoil on 13.12.05 at 18:57]

If Alex is Robinson, who is his Man Friday?

Dangerous ground...and, I think current wisdom is that Friday is the Baldrick to Crusoe's Blackadder (the First series!!!)

Ot, to use the Sherlock Holmes revision, that would mean its Alex's Holmes who is without a clue...

[Uncle Elvis on 13.12.05 at 20:28]

"If Alex is Robinson, who is his Man Friday?"

Tony B?

[Rev. Goat on 13.12.05 at 20:43]

Elvis, you would look good in tights.......

[Uncle Elvis on 13.12.05 at 21:03]

Rev., I'd say the same about you, but isn't everything you own tight? *grin* (Just kidding!)