York Theatre Royal, The Grand Old Dame of York – Review: January 2019
For the final year, and in celebration of his 40th year, Berwick Kaler is staring as York’s legendary pantomime Dame in The Grand Old Dame of York.
Nice to see York Theatre Royal’s lovely, friendly and familiar faces, within the production, including Suzy Cooper, David Lenard and Martin Barrass.
Get your jazz hands and vocals at the ready and prepare to clap, cheer and boo this all-star cast who sing, “there’s no panto like this panto” and they are not wrong.
From the set, costumes and choreography to the cheesy slapstick family fun and dastardly capers, this panto offers substance with a quality performance throughout.
The man of the moment Berwick Kaler once again pulling off another exciting, energetic and entertaining performance – outstanding! Another standout job came from Les Miserable, part-time dentist and full-time villain. With his dastardly capers keeping York’s theatre crowds action infused and amused.
At the centre of the story, this villainess creature, Les Miserable, attempts to stop laughter in its tracks, Booooooo, but with upbeat bursts of musical mayhem and genuine hilarity throughout, giggles are plentiful and laugh out loud moments shall not be stopped.
Grab yourself a 40 years stunning souvenir brochure, jelly babies and concessions and prepare to be entertained.
Even though Berwick makes a break for it in the hot air ballon, The Grand Old Dame of York, at York Theatre Royal, is not full of hot air…this panto performance is pure pizzazz and perfection! Best news you have not missed out, as the show must go on and continues until the 2nd of February 2019.
Make memorable moments, as on select days at York Theatre Royal, you can snap up the chance for a behind the scenes tour whereby you get the inside scoop on all the backstage action.
Personally, for me standing on the York Theatre Royal stage was a legendary moment that will never be forgot. Mark Walters detailed set designs are mind-blowing and to see the wall of signatures was superb.
Marvellous Michael our tour guide, all round nice chap and clearly a passionate theatre buff who produced a 5 star performance with a genuine spirit and love for his role.
The York Theatre Royal, Colonnade Café is the perfect place to pitstop prior to your performance for some scrummy food and drinks such as fish goujons, chips and salad, a range of paninis and a quality range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Berwick may be hanging up the tap shoes, but his legacy continues on, as thanks to the generosity of York’s loyal pantomime audiences, the theatre will continue the launch of the Berwick Kaler Foundation, as the community comes together to raise funds for many more years to come.
“There’s no panto like this panto” check out York Theatre Royal to indulge and experience some of the theatrical magic for yourself.
Thank you for reading 😊
Melanie xx
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Oh how fun! This looks absolutely magical, thanks so much for sharing with us!
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My pleasure and it was a lot of fun and many giggles too xx
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This looks such a fun show. I love pinto and all the cheese feel good tunes that go with them.
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It was amazing and yes the chesse and feel good tunes were is full swing xx
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I’ve only been to a stage production once, when my husband took me to see Wicked when it opened on my birthday years ago. I’d love a chance to go more often. And a backstage tour sounds amazing!
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Seen Wicked x2 and will deffo be seeing it again. You should deffo give this panto a whirl, very different and yes the tour was fab xx
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This looks like it was so much fun! I would love the opportunity to visit here. It is on my travel bucket list and omg that food looks so delish!!!!!
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I could not agree with you more. Ooo sounds like this could be perfect for your next theatre visit xx
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I am still saying I will visit the theatre soon and still haven’t. This sounds like a nice way to spend a day.
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Well you to need to sort that out pronto haha. Very nice day and all round good fun xx
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I would love to visit York in the next month or so. I will try to see if I can get a seat to watch a York Theatre Royal production! Looks like you had a great time 🙂
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Ooo fab stuff, as I love to Visit York – great place. Well worth watching this at York Theatre Royal, it is still on until 2nd Feb 2019, so get your skates on xx
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What a lovely theatre. There is something about sitting in a red velour chair and watching a show that can’t be beaten for the live experience.
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Totally, we had and amazing time and can’t wait to go back xx
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I love theatre!! I would also love to go to England. Hopefully that’s in my future!! The food looks so good!!!
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Me too!! Well now you know where to go when you do hun xx
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Wow. I haven’t been to a theater in ages! The only theaters I have been to recently are movie theaters with kids all around me. The York Theater Royal looks really grand! To sit in those plush chairs and watch a really entertaining show, plus good food to boot is my idea of a fun time!
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Sounds like you need to treat yourself, as York Theatre Royal is amazing. Yeah the food was spot on xx
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what a fun place to go… I love the grande beauty of the theater, the stadium seating with the rich colors.
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Fun place and yes the theatre is a beautiful building very plush xx
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Oh look at you on the stage! I bet that was a great moment! I love the theatre, wish I could visit more
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Haha…it was an amazing moment, so much fun. Me too and yes you should. Always worth allocating time to theatre xx
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This sounds great… I love going to the theatre! And backstage tours are great fun aren’t they!
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It was amazing. They sure are and the theatre is a brilliant activity xx
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I’m sure it was brilliant and funny … unfortunately I don’t like pantos! I know, I’m a right humbug! I have tried, I honestly have, but everyone I’ve ever been to has annoyed me rather than made me laugh. Don’t worry, everyone thinks I’m strange !!
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No you are not strange for having an opinion and if panto doesn’t suit they offer a whole range of other performances throughout the year, so its game on. That said this one is a panto like no other, so you may well be surprised by this. Take the leap of faith and check it out xx
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Wow what a really cool experience! I’ve always loved the theater and the stage does look amazing! super jealous!
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It was an amazing experience and the stage was breathtaking xx
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so much fun within your post, I enjoyed reading all about the life there.
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Thank you for the super duper feedback Angie xx
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I can’t remember the last time I visited a theater. If this is close to my place, you’ll see me here very often!
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Ooo good for you, it is in York so check it out hun xx
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I love going to the theatre and this looks like a good one x
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Me to and yes it is fab – check the place out xx
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What a fab day! Even the brochure looks fab!
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It was wonderful and yes the brochure was a lovely memento xx
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I literally went to my first panto over Christmas – shocking, I know! And it was the most magical experience {for both me and the kids – haha!}. This place looks great!
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Haha love that comment Debs! This makes for a perfect family outing ideal for the January blues xx
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Ahh what a great experience. This sounds like such a fun show
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It is a fab fun filled show and was a marvellous experience xx
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Sounds like you had a great time. I love pantomime- lots of fun and timeless theatre.
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We did indeedy. Same and yes this is a timeless theatre – such a fab place to visit xx
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This sounds like a lovely send off. I love a good trip to the theatre!
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Aw yes after 40 years just amazing. Me too and this place is well worth a visit the next time you pop to York xx
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We still haven’t taken the girls to a panto! Must rectify that this year! Looks like you had a brilliant experience, standing on that stage is immense!
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For sure and you are in luck, as this is still running at the moment – good one too. We did just unforgettable xx
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You just can’t beat a traditional theatre – we have one about an hour away and it is lovely. Kaz
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I could not agree with you more Kaz. Next time you pop into York check this one out, I am sure that you will love it xx
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This looks like fun, we do love visiting the theatre and panto in our family x
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Same here and this would be right up your street xx
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It’s been years since I last saw a Panto. This one looks like really good fun. I’m sure my kids would love to go see it with me!
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Aw they would and make a fab family day out for you all hun xx
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I have never been to a panto. The kids did go last Christmas and they loved it.
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Ooo sounds like this could be on your to do list, as Panto is a fab family day out xx
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This looks such a fun show. I have never been to a panto. I have never been there but I would love to be there.
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It was amazing and such a good quality performance. You should give it a whirl xx
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I haven’t been to a panto in years and years. They don’t do anything like it here in Portugal but we’re considering going home to Ireland for Christmas this year and if we do I’d love to bring our son to a panto.
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Ooo no worries, I know you travel a lot, so it is well worth considering a trip to York anyhow – it is a fab place xx
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That looks like such a fun theatre to go to! I am definitely adding it to my bucket list!
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I can see why, we had an awesome time xx
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I love going to the theatre – this sounds like so much fun! I haven’t been to a panto in years. I love the sound of Les Miserable haha
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Me too and panto is a good laugh. He was brilliant xx
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Looks like you’s have a great time, that theatre looks amazing too. I adore York!!
Katie xoxo
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I adore York too and yes the theatre was spot on xx
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This sounds awesome! Believe it or not, I have not been to the theatre as an adult, the only time I went was when I was a child but I would love to experience that again. Maybe this year :-). Btw, the food looks amazing!
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No way, well that is easy to sort out for sure. Yay deffo this year hun. The food was yummy 🙂 xx
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That theatre looks beautiful – I went to my local one just before Christmas to see the Panto and it was such a great experience!
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It is a stunning building and actually well worth the trip to York xx
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It sound like a really fun play, and a beautiful location to watch it in too!
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I could not agree with you more lovely xx
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Wow, that sounds amazing. I always want to do a backstage tour. Thanks for sharing this beautiful experience.
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My pleasure and next time you are in York check this place out xx
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Wow this is awesome. And I must say the theatre is amazing. I am sure you had a great time. Would love to go too.
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You should visit, they have a whole range of super shows upcoming xx
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I’ve not been to a pant or a theatre for ages! I’d love to go again soon, I wish we lived near York as their theatre sounds amazing x
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Nah make this an excuse to Visit York for a weekend – so much to see and do xx
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Such an exciting show you attended!The theatre looks so beautiful. I wish I’d attend a stage performance too because actually, it’s been so long ever since I attended one.
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It was and a beautiful theatre too. Well get booking haha xx
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I love that you got to stand on the stage, that must be such a cool feeling!
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I know, it took me back to my younger years – such great memories xx
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I haven’t been to the panto in years and years but it looks like you had a lovely time, I must consider going next Christmas! x
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Deffo worth a visit, we had a fab time and the food was yummy too xx
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Such a fun experience! I’d love to attend but unfortunately I don’t have a theatre who plays it near me.
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Problem sorted, use this as an excuse to Visit York for a fab mini break away xx
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Oh yesss! I wish I had a chance to stand on that stage and look out at the view, too! Sounds like you had an INCREDIBLE time at the show 🙂
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We did, it was a day of the most fab memories and of course lots of giggles too xx
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The Grand Old Dame of York sounds so much fun! It’s great that you can visit backstage too. My daughter is 16 so doesn’t want to go to the pantomime anymore, it’s so disappointing as I always loved our Christmas panto trips.
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Twas brilliant! Now you may be able to persuade her on this one, as this is not your typical panto. I would highly recommend and saw many teens in the audience xx
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I actually love pantomime and probably because I have fun memories of childhood pantos… Sounds like a fun event. You look fabulous too
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Aw thank you so much, lovely of you to say. Panto is such fun and you should deffo check this place out xx
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That sounds great! We haven’t been to the theatre is ages, i must sort that out.
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You must indeedy Emma, have fun with the family at a 2019 panto xx
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going the theatre is my favourite night out, you can’t beat a good live show.
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Same here, I could not agree with you more xx
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