Birmingham Hippodrome Launches 2012/13 Pantomime, ROBINSON CRUSOE AND THE CARIBBEAN PIRATES

Here we are in the middle of June and we are already talking pantomime...but not just any pantomime. Yesterday saw the launch of "Britain's BIGGEST pantomime", Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates, taking place at the Birmingham Hippodrome from Saturday 15th December 2012 to Sunday 27th January 2013.

The person co-writing and starring in this year's pantomime as Robinson Crusoe is no secret, having been announced during his stint in Cinderella last year - it is the wonderful and ever-so charming Brian Conley; a firm favourite in Birmingham and all over the country. This will be Conley's sixth pantomime at the Birmingham Hippodrome and he will be welcomed back with open arms. He is loved by all ages and is one of the country's most versatile entertainers.

Co-starring with Conley is comedy TV and theatre actress Lesley Joseph who will be playing the Enchantress of the Ocean (to which Joseph refers to as sounding like a cruise liner!) She is most affectionately known for playing Dorien Green in BBC's Birds of a Feather; a role which she is currently reprising on stages across the country in a UK tour.

Appearing as principal girl Polly is Solihull's very own Kathryn Rooney; this will be her third consecutive Birmingham Hippodrome pantomime. She clearly loves performing at this theatre and is very loyal to her roots. And this year's Dame, Mrs Crusoe, will be played by Andrew Ryan who is somewhat of a veteran having done twenty seven pantomimes to date...twenty two of which he appeared as the Dame. However, this is his first pantomime season at the Birmingham Hippodrome and he is thrilled about the prospect.

I had the privilege of speaking with the stars of Robinson Crusoe and it was very evident from the outset that even five months prior to rehearsals starting, there is great chemistry between them and all are very excited about this year's offering from Qdos Entertainment. The production is due to include a flying car, a sea monster that descends upon the audience (which may need toning down somewhat after it's trial in Cardiff!), a huge pirate ship onstage doing a 360 degree revolve, plus many other astonishing special effects which have almost come to be expected at the UK's "most popular theatre". I'm told that all of these set pieces and effects are to be fine tuned for an audience in a two and a half day technical rehearsal - a very large undertaking!

Believe it or not, pre-planning for this year's production started during last year's Cinderella. Michael Harrison, Managing Director of Qdos Entertainment's pantomime division and Executive Producer, mentioned how Conley approached him between shows one day with ten pages of notes on what they could do in Robinson Crusoe to make it even bigger and better than ever before - if possible!

In one of the hospitality rooms at the Birmingham Hippodrome, firstly I was able to have some time with the extremely lovely Kathryn Rooney and the slightly underdressed (!) Andrew Ryan, both whom already seem incredibly clued up on the production. There seems to be a core group of traditional pantomimes which seem to be reinvented year on year but Robinson Crusoe is not necessarily one of the main ones. I am assured by both Rooney and Ryan that although Robinson Crusoe hasn't been done for a while, it is very much a traditional family pantomime and is being resurrected for this Christmas. We will still get the expected panto-related elements, but it is a brand new production by Michael Harrison and Brian Conley. 

Naturally, the company's stamina needs to be of top condition before embarking on a six week run with two shows a day and only one day off a week. Ryan explains that this is the most difficult part of pantomime, keeping yourself fit and healthy. However, Rooney says that the joy of working with both Conley and Joseph is that they have loads of energy and always give 110%; and therefore other performers have to try and match that.

When asking about keeping up this momentum and whether it is difficult to maintain such a level of performance - even at the end of the run - I get a resounding no from both performers! According to Ryan, the initial outlay is worse from a tiredness point of view with the quick succession of rehearsals, technical sessions, dress rehearsals, leading up to opening night. Then once the run is underway, it's like being in training and you just get swept along.

Upon asking whether there is anything that either of them dislike about the season, both say that the company cold that always takes hold is the only thing that can make the run a bit of a struggle if it gets you; hence looking after yourself is of prime importance. Other than that, they are incredibly complimentary about the entire process and seem to be itching to get started.

With every show being different according to audience reaction, Conley is notoriously likely to respond to this and I wonder if such improvisation can throw a performer. Ryan claims its the nature of the beast and Rooney adds that as long as they stay in character, the scene will always end up the same. Having worked with Conley last year, she says that he squeezes her arm once he has finished with audience interaction to let Rooney know that it's time to move on and complete the scene. She affectionately dubs this as the 'Brian claw'!

Being in demand, we had slightly less time with Brian Conley and Lesley Joseph but long enough for them to completely and utterly sell the pantomime to us. Joseph entered first looking extremely slim - she explains how she lost two and a half stone whilst preparing for the Birds of a Feather UK tour and admittedly she looks fantastic. Clearly very proud of her achievements, she is looking forward to parading around the Birmingham Hippodrome stage in skimpy outfits as the Enchantress of the Ocean. Joseph goes on to say how the main selling point of Robinson Crusoe for her was getting to work with Brian Conley. It is very clear that when Conley does arrive, they are very comfortable in each others company and they have great banter between them. Both clearly adore pantomime and their excitement about this project is electric.

A showman through and through, Conley makes an entrance as you would expect and immediately gets us in the palm of his hand. They both have a lot to say so it makes our job easier! Although keeping them talking about the pantomime is a rather amusing challenge as they were talking a lot about current projects, it is incredibly commendable how committed they are to their art. Conley is currently starring as Fagin in the UK tour of Oliver! and continues in this until two weeks before Robinson Crusoe rehearsals start. Joseph has nearly finished Birds of a Feather but afterwards joins the Calendar Girls UK tour again until only days before panto rehearsals begin. The Birmingham Hippodrome are incredibly lucky to have such in demand performers onboard (if you pardon the pun!)

From the information I have gathered from the principal cast today, Robinson Crusoe is a must-see. Kathryn Rooney's first reason as to why people should come and see this pantomime is purely seeing the magic of Conley and Joseph onstage together. The special effects sound like something to behold in themselves and with lavish sets and stunning costumes, there is something for everyone. So if you want a good night out this Christmas, this is the show to book up to. Get your tickets now!

Photo: Jenny Antill