REVIEW: Damian's Pop Up Panto at the Sheffield Lyceum (Online)

As so much of the country moves into tier 3 and tier 4 this December even those Pantomimes that were planning to try and run this year were forced to close and some were brave and bold enough to try capturing the shows for streaming to us in our homes. The Sheffield Lyceum Pantomime produced by Paul Hendy's Evolution is usually one of the finest shows of the season and won Best Pantomime (750-1500 seats) in 2018 & 2020 and best musical supervision for James Harrison in the 2020 Awards. Damian Williams won best Dame in 2017, so it is perhaps only natural that Hendy and Williams should plan to stage a socially distanced pantomime inspired show this year. The result, Damian's Pop Up Panto is an energetic, fun entertainment that pays tribute to some of the traditional pantomime stories and jokes. It distils the essence of Panto and makes it the centre of the show at the Lyceum's sister venue. 

It gets off to an amusing start as Paul Hendy, who wrote and directed the show, rushes around the Sheffield Crucible's backstage areas to introduce the five cast members and the Musical Director. The Crucible's thrust stage with seating on three sides provides a good open space to capture the show and socially distance performers with Harrison's one man band positioned on the fourth side and there was a small audience present to provide some reaction to the jokes.

Sheffield Theatres & Evolution Pantomimes announce the cast for Damian’s Pop–Up Panto! at the Crucible Theatre

Today, Sheffield Theatres and Evolution Pantomimes announce the cast for Damian’s Pop–Up Panto! at the Crucible Theatre. Joining legendary Dame, Damian Williams, are comedian, presenter and internet dancing sensation Joe Tracini (CBBC’s The Dengineers, Hollyoaks), West End star Gemma Sutton (Gypsy, Follies, Girl From the North Country), Lucas Rush (Rock of Ages) and Deborah Tracey (Standing at the Sky’s Edge).

A festive fun-sized treat for the whole family, Damian’s Pop-Up Panto! is written and directed by regular pantomime producer Paul Hendy. Sheffield Theatres and Evolution Pantomimes have produced the Sheffield Lyceum pantomime for 14 years. This year, the panto relocates across Tudor Square to the Crucible Theatre.

 

This hilarious 75 minute extravaganza will tell the story of what happens when a baddie attempts to steal the joy of pantomime.  Described as ‘Panto’s Greatest Hits’, audiences are promised a fun-sized, socially-distanced show that will feature all their favourite pantomime moments including great musical numbers, the brilliant pun routine and, of course, the famous ghost gag bench!

 

The top calibre cast features returning performers and new faces. Damian Williams is celebrating his 13^th year as Sheffield Theatres’ Dame. Joe Tracini, presenter of CBBC’s The Dengineers, is best known for using twitter as a platform for talking about mental health, his videos having been watched by over 40 million people. Gemma Sutton has previously appeared in two Lyceum pantomimes: Peter Pan and Dick Whittington, and Deborah Tracey returns to the Crucible, last appearing in Standing at the Sky’s Edge. Lucas Rush’s credits include the UK tours of Rock of Agesand American Idiot.