After having a very hectic panto season last year with trips to not one but two Croydon pantos, we’re back on it for 2024 to find out what the ‘magical’ season has in store for us.

We very much enjoyed the panto at Stanley Arts in 2023, for its quirky, intimate and low-fi vibe and completely unique story, so we are rather looking forward to this year’s performance, Red Riding Hood, which runs from Saturday 14 to Sunday 29 December.

We catch up with some of the cast: Andy and the Band’s Holly Mallett; Drag King, Richard Melanin the Third; and Roberto Morreale who balances two very different roles.

Croydonist: What’s your role in Red Riding Hood?

Holly: My role is Woody Woodcutter! I’m our heroine Rosie’s best pal, and I’m one of the goodies! You might call it nominative determinism that Woody’s my name, but I’m mostly just there because I have a super magical axe!

Richard: Big bad Wolf !!!!!!!!!

Roberto: I am the assistant stage manager and understudy.

Croydonist: What makes this production of Red Riding Hood different to other pantos out there?

Holly: For a start, Stanley Arts Pantos are ALWAYS special. Each year, a brand new show is written especially for the audience. There are classic Panto gags yes, but also new and funny bits which you’ll only see here in Norwood. The thing I love about Stanley Arts is that everything it does here is for the community, and this Panto is no exception.

Richard: A modern pantomime involving different disciplines of performance, from passionate artists. I will be sharing the art form of Clowning and Drag king. My background is in circus theatre and the craft of silent clown so this is a new venture for me. I’m excited to be singing and dancing, as well as playing with being the villain of the pantomime, whilst keeping a fun twinkle in the eye. There’s a lot of fun to be had!!

Roberto: Panto is very much a male-dominated industry so I think there is something quite incredible in the fact that this year, all the leads are women / female presenting individuals.

Croydonist: What can audiences expect from this years’ panto?

Holly: Lots of fun and laughter, a bit of mild peril! (but the goodies will always win of course!) and some great songs and dances. And even though Mama G isn’t here this year, she’ll still play a BIG part in the show! How? You’ll have to wait and see…

Also – I wrote one of the songs, so that’s really exciting for me – and another thing that makes THIS panto unique!

Richard: A fun spectacular retelling of a classic fairy tale with a twist…

Roberto: A lot of laughs, some amazing original music composed by Holly Mallet and not one but two dame-like characters.

Croydonist: What are you most looking forward to about panto season? 

Holly: This is my second year at SA and I’m mostly just super excited to be coming back! It’s such a gorgeous place and everyone is so lovely. It’s like a big family, and all our audiences become a part of that too. Getting to see everyone of all ages having the best time together is one of the reasons I love Panto so much, and the SA panto really epitomises that.

I’m also looking forward to getting to play the comic. Last year it was super fun being the baddie (see photo above), but a Christmas of cheers instead of boos will be very welcome! I think the cast this year is really exciting too, so I’m looking forward to getting into a room with them all and working on this absolutely hilarious script.

Richard: Meeting new audiences and working with a team of great people for a season.I largely work in cabaret and circus with quick turnarounds, so I am really looking forward to working with people for a longer period of time and developing a fun relationship with fellow performers on stage and sharing the joy with audiences. Panto is interactive so each show will be different every time.

Roberto: I am looking forward to embracing the challenge of learning everyone’s dialogue, music and choreography as understudy. I’m not the strongest of dancers but last year I was doing this which meant I threw myself in at the deep end. So I ended up improving. I’m excited to see how much better I get this year.

Croydonist: Do you get a chance to sample the delights of South Norwood and the rest of Croydon?

Holly: Last year I got to go to some cool local restaurants and bars. But I didn’t get to go to Mamma Dough! GUTTED! This year I’m gonna try my absolute best to go because I love pizza and I hear their vegan options are great!

Richard: I don’t often get a chance to sample the delights, so I’m very happy that I get the opportunity to be part of a community in South Norwood. I look forward to developing a wonderful experience in the area.

Roberto: I don’t really venture further than South Norwood train station and centre but it’s something I should definitely look into this year with my spare time.

Thank you to Holly, Richard and Roberto for chatting with me. Red Riding Hood runs from 14–29 December 2024 at Stanley Arts, South Norwood, Croydon. You can book tickets here.

Photos courtesy of Stanley Arts, by Josh Thaker and SJKnight Photography.

Posted by Julia