Cross dressing, chaffing and Cinderella

Oh no it isn’t. Oh yes it is. If you thought it was behind you, you were very much mistaken. Pantomime season is back; familiar sing along songs, clapping, cheering, heckling and a ‘journey’ for all the family to enjoy. Nationally they dominate theatres for two months and now as the crisp winter air chills Bournemouth, families and friends rush inside the prestigious Pavilion to enjoy the delights of Cinderella with a celebrity filled cast.

“I feel too old for pantomime.” “Don’t be silly I am eighty three next year! I am older than you” two elderly women cackle behind me as they take their seats.

Pantomime dates further back than the middle ages and uses dance, music, humour and limp wristed mischief to provide entertainment for the audience. The audience participates in the show and supports either the goodies or the baddies following the slapstick adventure. The lead male character is traditionally played by a female often sporting a connoisseur moustache, whilst the males playing the ‘ugly step sisters’ are akin to a Beryl Cook caricature. Alongside these characters, the shows contain modern references and jokes reflecting the zeitgeist of today’s world.

Bouncing off the wall childrens squeals and screams reach unimaginable decibels. Parents mutter disapprovingly at their children. Teachers frantically gather their groups, “can you all keep the noise down please.” Whistles hang loosely around childrens necks. Flashing ears and light sabres create a sparkling display as children run in the foyer. Outside of the Pavilion cars swarm the car park, people rush frantically towards the building as the ticket kiosks work in overdrive. Ten minutes before show time. 6.50pm.

The decor and arrangement in the theatre is impressive, with solid white pillars supporting the building, red draping curtains, a bare stage with minimal props and a backdrop reading: once upon a time there was a poor girl who lived with her father who was kind but weak. The ceiling is overwhelming, a sight definitely not to be missed.  The high dome covering expresses splendour and elegance. A young girl no older than seven stares in awe at the mesmerising lights against the white washed walls. Pink hearts and twinkling stars illuminate the room. “Excuse me, can we get to our seats?” The rows continue to fill with people and excitement. Rustling wrappers and fidgety children become impatient whilst Michael Buble is played in the background.

“I love the fact pantomime regresses adults back to children. It brings the whole family together and it’s a local night out.” Parents still enjoy taking their children (or themselves) to pantomimes for the night. Cinderella managed to keep adults ‘alert’ and amused using a range of puns, innuendos and cultural references. “House prices are up” exclaims the father to the ugly stepsister. An elderly gentleman laughs behind me. Even the economic crisis had its five minutes of fame on stage, alongside an unexpected appearance by a certain Anne Widecombe, albeit an inflatable one.

“Oh Buttons, I love you as a friend.” Free sweets. Goody bags. Games on stage. After a two hour show the finale is truly magic. Oh yes it is. The audience applauds and cheers the ‘happy ending’ as Cinderella and Prince Charming marry and leave on real Shetland ponies. As the curtain drops the clapping and shouting fades to an inaudible murmur.

“It’s cheerful and uplifting and I love it. I was in the pantomime last year here, for Snow White. With only a few weeks to rehearse it was hard work but I love performing on stage”, says a glittery eyed dancer as she stands outside the dressing room in a puffy red ball gown.

“I loved the ‘colourful’ stepsisters” says a couple walking arm in arm. I wait patiently outside in the freezing cold at the backstage door. Time passes slowly and cars trickle out of the car park one after another. Muffled voices can be heard behind the closed door and in the blink of an eye Byron Mondahl walks past, looking plain and tired in comparison to the glitzy glamour queen on stage only an hour ago. “It has been amazing playing an ugly sister, I have thoroughly enjoyed it. We only had a week and a half to rehearse and then one week for technical rehearsals. Changing costumes so often throughout the night is very hectic.” Mondahl’s eyes glisten and he exhales a gentle sigh. “It has been so lovely being here in Bournemouth. I have managed to see glorious winter snow and clear blue skies during my time here. The celebrities in the show are so down to earth and supportive. Everyone has so many stories to tell and it has been a great pleasure being around these people.” Mondahl leaves in a yellow taxi whilst young dancers rush by to be collected by their parents.

Rushing around to the front of the Pavilion, small childlike voices can be heard. “Mum I am here”. The pavilion looks empty as the remainder of the crowd filters out into the car park.

A man in a khaki hat, coat and glasses walks down the entrance steps. I notice that it is the much loved CBeebies star Chris Jarvis. Despite the cold he willingly shares how he felt starring and directing in the show, “[It is] a very privileged job, you know, because we get to do a little bit of everything, work with amazing people and not just big stars but people who are setting out, who have so much [energy] to give. Every year it is always different. You learn from the pros and learn from the people who are full of life and setting out.” His eyes glisten as he speaks fondly of the energetic cast, reflecting serenely, “just as I am getting a bit older”. “A lot of people think the rehearsals are too long but I need that time to get my head around it…When you start from scratch you need all that time.”

Jarvis looks across the sea and reflects on the night’s performance. “It was a very small house; [the atmosphere] was a bit flat. But that’s not a problem as long as you look out and see smiles. It doesn’t really bother me I am a bit OCD, I’d rather they didn’t miss a laugh and laughed through the next gag…I don’t really mind if it’s a small house.” Looking directly into my eyes he exchanges a ‘knowing look’ of relief and gratitude that the night is coming to a close. “The figures are up on last year, and I think they are everywhere, nationally, which is brilliant considering we are in a recession. People are going to the theatre and I think that Southampton and Poole are also doing well.”

The references to Bournemouth and adult jokes made a naughty but entertaining show. Jarvis sniggers, winking, “Where there any? I am all innocent.” Oh yes he is.

Pantomimes are the perfect winter warmer and offer light hearted entertainment to the whole family. We all want a little bit of magic in our lives. A fairy godmother. A Prince Charming. Start counting your magic beans and discover what pantomime can do for you. Oh hang on; it is just for children right? Oh no it isn’t.

What do I do at eighteen years old?

At eighteen years old the prospect of turning nineteen is daunting enough. The end of ‘teen’ years and the prospect of being an adult, forever. Bye bye teenage years. At this young, tender age we are forced to make decisions that supposedly shape our future forever. Colleges, parents and friends are uttering the words university, travelling or full-time employment continuously. Is it possible at eighteen years old to know what path to choose? Even after making a decision the anxieties and worries soon follow. Fear not, I meet with Student to be this September, Bronwen Rees, nineteen years old, who went against the grain much to everyone’s surprise.

Overlooking Worthing’s seafront I await to be greeted by Bronwen Rees. Grinning madly and dressed casually in jeans and a blue t-shirt I meet this eager young girl described by close friends as “a straight A student destined for University after college”. A care free attitude and freedom surrounds her. “After three weeks at Bristol UWE I left. The course, the accommodation and the people were not for me. And when you know, you know. So without looking back, I left Bristol. I needed a break from education having spent the past two years in college with people who couldn’t wait to go to University or the opposite; Van Wilders’.” She grimaces. “My parents were shocked at first along with my friends. I remember phoning one of my closest girlfriends, Rebecca, and she was speechless. From starting high school I had always been destined, and almost pressured to go to University.” The waitress brings over two omelettes with chips and salad. A classic light summer meal.

“I decided to research jobs that would interest me and within a week I found the perfect job and applied. I flew out on the 14^th December to Austria to work for four months as a chalet girl.” Bronwen’s eyes glistens as she reminisces. “Austria was amazing. To wake up each morning with the mountains greeting you was beyond breathtaking. It snowed a total of four times and the quantity of snow was unreal, like nothing I had ever seen before!” She sips her drink eagerly. “The work itself was repetitive. The same chores each day; preparing and cleaning rooms, working with food and so on. The chalet itself was always fully booked but it was not overwhelming. I mean, at first, I struggled. I missed my boyfriend and home but this feeling soon went. In the four months there I met some incredible people and frankly, some people I never want to see again.” She sniggers to herself.

“The experience taught me a lot about myself and made me more responsible. Although I was alone at University and ultimately depressed, the feeling of being alone in Austria was quite the opposite; it was exhilarating. I had jobs and duties that had to be completed on my own or otherwise I would not be paid and could result in losing my job. After finishing my jobs I was rewarded. The reward was the fact that I got to ski every bloody day and yet customers at the chalet were paying thousands to ski for a week!”

It almost sounds too good to be true as I sit observing this young blonde who starts tucking into her meal. Bronwen laughs ludicrously, “No, no. There were downsides. One male customer was outrageous. He would click to call me over and boy did I have to bite my tongue! However most of the customers were pleasant and we would eat and drink with them. I did meet two guys from the band Fightstar who were lovely and an Aston Martin racing driver.”

I sit and absorb all of the information of her travels I feel a tiny twinge in my stomach; resentment. Students often want to travel but in this day and age, a career is deemed the ‘correct’ path. I ask Bronwen about her thoughts. “I am the perfect example. Everyone had told me to go to University and in a way I had just become used to the idea. However, life doesn’t always work out the way others want it to and so I decided my own future. To students out there unsure of University, I say use a year of your life to travel and along the way decide. Go abroad and work and gain that experience, whether it is purely to earn money and travel, or to pursue a hobby. I am ‘crap’ with languages but I survived. As long as you’re willing to learn a country’s language and culture then you will be just fine.”

I lean forward and ask quietly what her plans for the future are. “Ha-ha. Don’t worry I know I have talked a lot about travelling but I do want a degree. I am going to Winchester University in September to study Graphics, but before then, I am going to New Zealand for three months.” As I pay the bill and we depart I feel inspired, and I have only travelled to Worthing!

For those students who have reached University and who feel unsure or unsettled. Finding a different path is not failure. In Bronwen’s case it has been very beneficial. Not only has she earned money along the way, but she has chosen a University that has the course she wants to do and the gap year allowed this rational thinking.