Author: FairyPoweredProductions

York Grand Opera House – Sat 19 December – Sun 03 January 2016.  Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

The York Grand Opera House chose to hold the much loved tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, with faces such as, Russ Spencer as Jack Trott and Caroline Barnes as Princess Jill; this duo came to fame during the 2007 Eurovision contest with their song ‘Flying the Flag’, the couple of singers were unknown to most of the audience but they delivered amazing vocal with great credit to Caroline.

I found the performance overall funny and enjoyable, however at some points I got a bit tired with a simple dialogue, but having children as your target audience is the reason behind this. With most of the audience being children from beavers and brownies the audience were involved with the performance shout as loud as the can to join simple Simon’s gang (Chris Casey), it was clear to see that they’re were enjoying it. They even made it funny to the adults with jokes about the Dame (Stuart Wade). The scene that stood out for me was when they had their own version of the 12 Days of Christmas. Involving 5 toilet rolls and other household items, this scene was absolutely funny and manic with toilet rolls thrown into the audience and all the cast members falling over each other one stage the Fairy Peapod (Jade Ellis) standing watching the hysteria that was happening before her eyes.

One note of Ellis’ performance she sang ‘Listen’ from the musical Dreamgirls, she sang this with absolute perfection and her performance was second to none but it didn’t fit the scene lyrically and had me confused.

Over all I found the performance enjoyable and I would encourage anyone to watch but I solid make sure that you bring your family as it’s a family performance where you can laugh with your children and see their faces light up when they watch the tale that is Jack and the Beanstalk.

Hospital patients across the UK will be able to watch Newcastle Theatre Royal’s panto Dick Whittington for free from their beds this Christmas as the production is screened to their Hospedia TV screens.

 

The cast has filmed a special performance of the pantomime, which will be screened for free to 170,000 patients across 180 NHS hospitals on 21 December.

 

The screenings are the brainchild of local entrepreneur and Theatre Royal Trustee, Howard Tait (chief executive of Newcastle communications agency Martin Tait Redheads) who said: “When I first got involved at the Theatre Royal I arranged trips for the children in the local hospital to come to see the panto but I soon realised that the sickest children weren’t able to come and were missing out. So I had the idea of bringing the magic of the panto to them instead and the idea just grew and grew.

“It’s wonderful to hear how much the hospital patients, both adults and children, enjoy having the panto to watch and how it brings cheer onto the wards. The screening is totally free of charge to watch and we film it in such a way that those watching get to see close up shots of the actors as well as the general stage view, so it’s a really special show.”

 

And cast members of this year’s panto, Dick Whittington, visited The Great North Children’s Hospital today (16 December) to meet some of their youngest and biggest fans, who will watch them perform on the 21 December. Dressed in full costume, the cast spent time with poorly children and their families, bringing gifts and signing autographs ahead of the screening on the bedside tvs.

 

Danny Adams, who plays Dick Whittington, said: “One of the most wonderful things about starring in the Theatre Royal panto is the audience members, they are fantastic and not just while they are in the theatre; we regularly get kids running up to us in the street for a photo or shouting our catchprases out to us. It’s such a lovely feeling knowing that they identify with us and so being able to come along and meet some of the children who are unfortunate enough to be in hospital at this time of year is really special. Seeing their faces light up when we come into the ward is a magical moment for them and us.”

 

The hospital screening project is a unique collaboration between the NHS, Newcastle Theatre Royal and Hospedia – the national hospital broadcast network. Ben Packman, Hospedia’s Strategic Development Director, said: “We are delighted to be able to provide a platform for the Theatre Royal’s pantomime screening.  Our aim is to make the patient experience whilst in hospital as enjoyable as possible and we particularly welcome the opportunity to make the festive period special for all the children in hospital at this time.” The screening of the panto is free to everyone with a bedside tv and will be shown at 2pm on channel 36, with repeat screenings at 4pm and 6pm.

Chief Executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal, Philip Bernays, said: “We are extremely proud to be part of this wonderful initiative bringing the fun and festive feel-good factor of the Theatre Royal’s pantomime directly to the hospital beds of patients across the whole of the UK.

“Howard has worked so hard to expand the tradition that we started here in Newcastle, and it is marvellous to see that each year more and more patients watch this specially filmed edition of what is still the UK’s fastest selling panto.”

 

Dick Whittington plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal until Sunday 17 January 2016. Tickets are available from £12.50 (pay less online) and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (all calls are charged at 7p a minute plus your phone company’s access charge, calls from mobiles may vary, please contact your operator for details).

 

A merry mash-up of festive theatre comedy and music at Live Theatre

Monday 21 December, 7.30pm
Christmas Adventures
Presented as part of Live Theatre’s Live Lab programme

On Monday 21 December Live Lab will be celebrating a year of developing new work with their Christmas Adventures variety show; a merry mash-up of theatre, comedy and music.

Following the Live Lab ethos, Christmas Adventures celebrates emerging talent. It gives artists a forum to try out new material inspired by this Christmas theme.

Playwright and performer Alison Carr (Iris and The Soaking of Vera Shrimp) will be reviving her short monologue Mary, Jesus’s Mam, which is a funny take on the School Nativity. She will be joined by Live Lab’s current Associate Artists Matilda Neill,Rowan McCabe and Matt Miller (Red is the New Blue) who will be presenting a play, specially written for the occasion, calledThe Holiday. They’ll be using their unique blend of theatre and poetry to explore the secret life of Santa and the darker side of Christmas.

Nina Berry (Rendezvous and The Rooms) has also written a piece especially for the night called The Terminal Velocity of Snowflakes, which takes a touching look at the lives of two individuals played by Rendezvous performers Dean Bone andLauren Kellegher. It’s a touching short play about fate, friendship and snow.

Live Theatre favourites Mixtape will be performing a selection of seasonally inspired sketches. Part comedy sketch show and part music quiz the audience will play along in teams to see who can guess the songs that have inspired their lyrical sketches. The winning team will be awarded with a limited edition Christmas Mixtape trophy.
Plus, there will also be comedy from Live Theatre’s Stand-Up Comedy Course graduate Hal Branson, a monologue written byJamie Moran (10 Minutes to…) and a festive fancy dress competition with a prize for the audience member with the best outfit. Don’t miss this celebration of emerging artists from the region. It’s sure to be an Advent Calendar highlight.

Tickets for Christmas Adventures costs £8. To book tickets and to find out more visit www.live.org.uk or contact Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232.

Welsh mining drama Land of Our Fathers begins its English tour at Live Theatre in January 2016

 

Presented by Theatre503, Tara Finney Productions and Wales Millennium Centre

Written by Chris Urch

Directed by Paul Robinson

 

Critically-acclaimed  play Land of Our Fathers, which follows six Welsh miners trapped down a mine, starts its English tour at Live Theatre, Newcastle in January.

 

With five performances over four days between Wednesday 27 and Saturday 30 January, including a Saturday matinee, this funny and deeply moving Welsh mining drama is packed full of blistering comedy and echoes a generation of lost voices.

 

It’s May 1979 in South Wales. Thatcher is county her votes, Sid Vicious is spinning in his grave and six Welsh miners are trapped down a coal mine. As the men await their rescue, secrets emerge and accusations fly. Within two weeks, everything they believe in and everything they know will have changed.

 

Max Roberts, Artistic Director, Live Theatre said:

 

“We are delighted to be the first venue on the English tour of Land of Our Fathers, after its success touring Welsh venues.  The story of miners in the play will have a strong resonance here in the North East with our shared mining heritage, and with Live Theatre’s audiences after our success with plays such as The Pitmen Painters and Close the Coalhouse Door. It is a very powerful drama to start the 2016 season here at Live Theatre.”

 

Land of Our Fathers has been described by The Guardian as ‘undeniably powerful’ and The Times as ‘a high voltage production’.

 

Paul Robinson, Artistic Director of Theatre503 and Director, Land of our Fathers said:

 

“The response so far has been thrilling and we’re delighted to be bringing the production to some fantastic venues in England in the New Year. The story is so universal with characters that you can’t help but fall; in love with, and we hope the play will continue to bring laughs and tears as it continues its journey.”

 

Tara Finney, Co-producer, Land of our Fathers said:

 

“I am delighted to be taking Land of Our Fathers on tour, enabling more people around the country to see this beautiful play. I have no doubt it will continue to enthral people as we move from the Welsh to English venues.”

 

Original cast members Joshua Price (Llwyth/Tribe) and Taylor Jay-Davies (Great Expectations – West End, The Passion) reprise their roles as Mostyn and Chewy. They are joined by John Cording (Pobol Y Cwm, Da Vinci’s Demons), Tomos Eames (Pride, Resistance), Cornelius Booth (Pride & Prejudice) and Robert Jezek (The Bodyguard – West End).

 

Two free events will accompany the shows at Live Theatre. Meet The Cast takes place after the show on Thursday 28 January, when the audience can discuss the making of the play with the creative team and cast.  A Post Show Discussion will take place on Saturday 30 January after the 2pm matinee, when Ian Lavery MP for Wansbeck and former President of the National Union of Mineworkers joins Max Roberts Artistic Director of Live Theatre to discuss issues raised in the play. Both events are free, but booking is essential.

 

For more information on Land of Our Fathers and to buy tickets costing between £22 to £12, over 60s concessions from £22 to £16 and other concessions £15 to £10 call Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or see www.live.org.uk. 

Listings:

 

Wednesday 27 to Saturday 30 January 2016
Land of Our Fathers

Presented by Theatre503, Tara Finney Productions and Wales Millennium Centre

Written by Chris Urch

Directed by Paul Robinson
3 May 1979, six Welsh miners are trapped underground as Thatcher is counting her votes.

Winner of Time Out Critics Choice & Fringe Show of the Year 2013

 

DATES: Wed 27 to Sat 30 Jan, 7.30pm
PERFORMANCES: Wed to Sat, 7.30pm
MATINEE: Sat 30 Jan, 2pm

LOCATION: Main Theatre
DURATION:  Approx. 2hr 20mins (including interval)
SUITABILITY: 14+, contains some swearing

 

TICKETS: £22-£12, over 60s conc. £22-£16 other concs. £15-£10
Meet the Cast

Thursday 28 January, after 7.30pm show
Meet the cast and creative team to discuss the making of the play.

DATE: Thurs 28 Jan,
LOCATION: Main Theatre
DURATION:  Approx. 40mins
SUITABILITY: 14+

TICKETS: Free, booking essential

 
Post Show Discussion

Saturday 30 January, after 2pm show

Ian Lavery MP for Wansbeck and former President of the National Union of Mineworkers joins Max Roberts, Live |Theatre’s Artistic Director to discuss the issues raised in the play.

DATE: Sat 30 Jan
LOCATION: Main Theatre
DURATION:  Approx. 40mins
SUITABILITY: 14+

TICKETS: Free, booking essential

 

Northern Broadsides in partnership with New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme present

THE MERRY WIVES

By William Shakespeare

 

Directed by Barrie Rutter                  

Designed by Lis Evans

Lighting by Adam Foley

Music by Conrad Nelson

Opening venue: New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme – 5–27 Feb 2016

National tour: 5 Feb – 28 May 2016

Northern Broadsides are set to join forces with the award-winning New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, to stage William Shakespeare’s superb medley of comedy and farce The Merry Wives.

Directed and featuring Northern Broadsides Artistic Director Barrie Rutter in the role of Sir John Falstaff, the new production which will open at the New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme, from 5 – 27 February and will then tour nationally until 28 May.

It’s the 1920s in the North of England and Sir John Falstaff is past-his-prime and skint!

Vain rogue that he is, he attempts, rather clumsily, to seduce a couple of well-to-do wives … but Mistress Page and Mistress Ford get wise to his plan and scheme to exact revenge with hilarious and unimaginable consequences.

Northern Broadsides have previously staged The Merry Wives in in 1993 and 2001.

Playing Sir John Falstaff for the third time will be Northern Broadsides Artistic Director Barrie Rutter. Rutter’s recent works include the title roles in Jonathan Miller’s productions of King Lear and Rutherford & Son, as well directing and featuring in Broadsides award-winning co-production with the New Vic Theatre, An August Bank Holiday Lark. Barrie Rutter has previously worked for the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Last year Barrie was awarded the OBE for services to drama.

Co-producing with Staffordshire’s New Vic Theatre, the production’s fine creative team includes Lis Evans (An August Bank Holiday Lark) with lighting by Adam Foley. Regulars at the New Vic Theatre, this will be Northern Broadsides seventh co-production with the venue. Previous co-productions have included The Tempest (2007), The Canterbury Tales (2010),Love’s Labour’s Lost (2012) and the award winning An August Bank Holiday Lark (2014).

The Merry Wives will open at the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme from 5 -27 February 2016 and will then tour to Dean Clough, Halifax; Hull Truck Theatre; The Lowry Salford; Rose Theatre, Kingston; West Yorkshire Playhouse; Everyman Theatre Cheltenham (which will coincide with the 400^th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare); Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough; Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield; York Theatre Royal and Liverpool Playhouse.

In autumn 2016 Northern Broadsides will be teaming up with York Theatre Royal to tour J B Priestley’s When We Are Married. The production, which will be directed by Barrie Rutter, will open at the newly redeveloped York Theatre Royal in September 2016.

Further casting will be announced in the coming weeks.

SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS

AND AMBASSADOR THEATRE GROUP

 

PRESENT

 

THE NATIONAL TOUR OF THE

MULTI OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING HIT WEST END MUSICAL

OPENING AT THE

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

ON FRIDAY 19 AUGUST 2016

As the West End multi Olivier award-winning hit musical continues to excite audiences into its second year, Sonia Friedman Productions and Ambassador Theatre Group are delighted to announce the national tour of SUNNY AFTERNOON. Recipient of four awards at the 2015 Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Music for Ray Davies, SUNNY AFTERNOON will open at the Manchester Opera House on Friday 19 August 2016 and will make its way to the Grand Opera House York for a week long run from Tuesday 21 – Saturday 25 February 2017.   www.sunnyafternoonthemusical.com

Featuring some of The Kinks’ best-loved songs, including You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset andLola, SUNNY AFTERNOON tells the story of the early life of Ray Davies and the rise to stardom of The Kinks.

The Kinks exploded onto the 60s music scene with a raw energetic new sound that rocked a nation. But how did that happen, where exactly did they come from and what happened next?

Set against the back-drop of a Britain caught mid-swing between the conservative 50s and riotous 60s, this production explores the euphoric highs and agonising lows of one of Britain’s most iconic bands and the irresistible music that influenced generations.

Following a sell-out run at Hampstead Theatre, SUNNY AFTERNOON opened to critical acclaim at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End in October 2014 and is currently booking into a second triumphant year.

SUNNY AFTERNOON has music and lyrics by Ray Davies with a book by Joe Penhall and original story by Ray Davies. It is directed by Edward Hall, designed by Miriam Buether with choreography by Adam Cooper. Lighting design is by Rick Fisher with sound design by Matt McKenzie for Autograph. The Musical Supervisor is Elliott Ware.

The original West End Production of SUNNY AFTERNOON is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions with Tulchin Bartner Productions, Greg Ripley-Duggan for Hampstead Theatre Productions, Tanya Link Productions, Just for Laughs Theatricals/Glass Half Full Productions, Rupert Gavin, in association with Hampstead Theatre and Arlon Productions.

SUNNY AFTERNOON 2016/2017 TOUR

www.sunnyafternoonthemusical.com

2016

FRIDAY 19 AUGUST – SATURDAY 27 AUGUST 2016

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE – www.atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester

ON SALE 14 DECEMBER 2015

TUESDAY 30 AUGUST– SATURDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2016

MILTON KEYNES THEATRE – www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre

ON SALE 14 DECEMBER 2015

TUESDAY 6 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2016

NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE BIRMINGHAM – www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/

ON SALE 14 DECEMBER 2015

TUESDAY 13 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2016

EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE – www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/

ON SALE 14 DECEMBER 2015

TUESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2016

SOUTHEND CLIFFS PAVILLION – www.southendtheatres.org.uk

ON SALE 19 JANUARY 2016

TUESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER 2016

AYLESBURY WATERSIDE THEATRE – www.atgtickets.com/venues/aylesbury-waterside-theatre/

ON SALE 14 DECEMBER 2015

TUESDAY 4 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER 2016

SUNDERLAND EMPIRE – www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire/

ON SALE 14 DECEMBER 2015

TUESDAY 11 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER 2016

GLASGOW KINGS THEATRE – www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre/

ON SALE 14 DECEMBER 2015

TUESDAY 18 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER 2016

TORQUAY PRINCESS THEATRE – www.atgtickets.com/venues/princess-theatre-torquay/

ON SALE 14 DECEMBER 2015

TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2016

NEW VICTORIA THEATRE WOKING – www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre/

ON SALE 14 DECEMBER 2015

 

TUESDAY 15 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2016

ORCHARD THEATRE, DARTFORD – www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

ON SALE 11 DECEMBER 2015

TUESDAY 29 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER 2016

STOKE REGENT THEATRE – www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre/

ON SALE 14 DECEMBER 2015

TUESDAY 13 DECEMBER – SATURDAY 31 DECEMBER 2016

THEATRE ROYAL BRIGHTON – www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton/

ON SALE 14 DECEMBER 2015

2017

TUESDAY 31 JANUARY – SATURDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2017

OXFORD NEW THEATRE – www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/

ON SALE 14 DECEMBER 2015

TUESDAY 7 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2017

LIVERPOOL EMPIRE, LIVERPOOL – www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire/

ON SALE 14 DECEMBER 2015

 

TUESDAY 21 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017

GRAND OPERA HOUSE, YORK – www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york/

ON SALE 14 DECEMBER 2015

TUESDAY 7 MARCH – SATURDAY 11 MARCH 2017

BRISTOL HIPPODROME, BRISTOL – www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome/

ON SALE 14 DECEMBER 2015

• LEADING YOUTH ARTS ORGANISATION THE NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE TO HOLD AUDITIONS ACROSS THE UK FOR AGES 14-25

• FIRST TIME NYT HAS OFFERED EXTENDED 3 WEEK TECHNICAL COURSES

• BAD EDUCATION STAR SARAH SOLEMANI DESCRIBES HOW NYT ‘CHANGED MY LIFE’                       

The National Youth Theatre, the UK’s leading youth arts organisation, is holding auditions and interviews across the country for its 2016 intake acting and technical courses. Successful applicants will follow in the footsteps of alumni such as Dame Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig,Chiwetel Ejiofor CBE and Sir Daniel Day Lewis, getting the chance to train with the NYT on acting and technical courses over the summer of 2016.

This will be the first time ever that the NYT has offered extended three week long technical courses alongside their renowned intake acting courses. Acting auditions take place between January and March 2016 and Technical Course interviews take place in February, both can be applied for here.

Playwright and star of Him & Her and Bad Education Sarah Solemani, who started her career in the NYT, commented: “Auditioning for the National Youth Theatre undoubtedly changed my life. It gave me world class training, introduced me into the industry and gave me friends for life. I wouldn’t have the career I have now without it.”

The NYT’s application process allows applicants from all backgrounds across the UK the chance to join the National Youth Theatre to build careers in the industry whilst working with other young people; the courses themselves provide extensive training on theatre and theatre practice. Out of the 4000+ people who auditioned in 2015, 500 were offered places, with 75% of successful applicants from outside London, 21% from BAME backgrounds and 55% female.

Artistic Director Paul Roseby said: “Whether you’ve never done drama before in your life or it’s the only thing you’re passionate about, if you’re interested in exploring your creative talent we want to meet you in 2016. As our former members in the entertainment industry and beyond prove, anything’s possible but it starts with an audition or interview.”

Former NYT Member and Doctor Who star Matt Smith said: “The National Youth Theatre is the reason I’m an actor. It’s given me great confidence, opportunity and life-long friends. I got an agent through performing with NYT and now I’m a professional actor who’s working. It completely transformed my life. No understatement.”

For the first time ever in 2016 NYT are offering extended industry standard, three week Technical Courses taught by top industry professionals in Costume, Lighting and Sound, Scenic Construction and Stage Management. After completing the course applicants will become members of the NYT and will be offered opportunities to build their CVs working on shows including the REP Seasons in the West End and other projects both nationally and internationally. Technical alumni include fashion designer Gareth Pugh, technical director of the London 2012 Ceremonies Piers Shepperd and theatre technicians at leading venues around the world.

After a successful audition for NYT’s Intake Acting Courses, applicants aged 14-17 will gain a space on NYT’s Junior Acting Course; successful applicants aged 18-25 will join NYT’s three week Senior Acting Course or a four week Epic Stages Course. Bursary places are available for auditions, interviews and courses for those facing financial hardship. Intake courses take place in August. Acting Auditions consist of three hour group workshops and an individual performance of a prepared speech. Speeches should be from a published play and learned by heart. The NYT membership that participants receive on completion affords them the opportunity to showcase their acting abilities through the NYT’s productions, locally, nationally and internationally. As part of membership participants can also be considered to be part of the NYT REP Company, a group of members who train with the NYT full time for a year, fully funded, as a free performance training initiative.

Applicants need to apply by 31 January 2016.

More information at www.nyt.org.uk  / Twitter @NYTofGB

Ding Dong Merrily on High: Three-quarters of the nation has had a Christmas Day argument before 2pm

 Show Some Elf Control: It’s A Wonderful Life tops the ‘best Christmas film’ poll while nearly 1 in 10 love Elf

 Top Of The Christmas Tree-V: EastEnders beats Corrie for best festive storyline

       Second Screens Snow Longer Allowed: More than 1 in 6 of us ban tablets at home during Christmas lunch

       Santa Pause – Don’t Miss-tletoe Your Favourite TV: Two thirds of us now record Christmas Day TV and viewing back as a family when the Christmas feast is over

         Down And Sprout: Downton is the most anticipated show of the festive season

Monday 14^th December 2015: As Brits looks forward to this year’s Christmas telly bonanza, subscription free satellite TV provider Freesat took a look at what its viewers are doing and watching over the holiday period.

Classic Christmas feel-good film It’s A Wonderful Life has topped the list of favourite films, beating modern day favourite Elf which scored nearly 1 in 10 (8%) of the vote.  When asked which film they had watched the most over the Christmas period, over 60% admitted to having watched The Wizard of Oz over three times.

Yet despite all the time spent watching Christmas movies, over a quarter of us (26%) confess to having disagreements over what to watch on TV during the festive season. In fact by 2pm on Christmas Day nearly three-quarters of us (73%) have had a bust up already, with the most popular reason being not helping in the kitchen (50%).  And while mother in laws may be the butt of the jokes, only 1 in 10 of us have fallen out with ours over Christmas, instead arguing with partners (35%) and children (23%).

Despite this, the happiest part of Christmas Day is watching TV for nearly a third of us (30%) with 4 out of 5 of us saying it is one of the few times over the year when they sit down and watch TV together as a family.

Soaps are the centre of the TV schedule throughout the year and Christmas is no exception.EastEnders tops Corrie for always having the most exciting seasonal storylines (33% of us think so), and the much-loved daytime soap Doctors beats Hollyoaks for Christmas excitement with 1 in 10 (11%) of us thinking it has the festive excitement factor (compared to just 5% for Hollyoaks).

The study also looked at how technology continues to invade every part of our life over the Christmas season; but it has no place at the Christmas table as a quarter of us (27%) say they have disagreements about mobiles or tablets being used at Christmas lunch.

In fact more than 1 in 6 of us (16%) ban second screens at home on Christmas Day in favour of a day focusing on family. Yet we’ve worked out a way to solve the invasion of second screens at our Christmas tables, with two-thirds (66%) of us deciding what to view in advance by recording and watching when the flurry of food is over.

Christmas is traditionally a competitive battleground for our TV eyeballs and this year is no exception. The most anticipated show of Christmas 2015 is Downton Abbey, with nearly a third (30%) of us looking forward to the finale. Sherlock should set New Year’s Day alight with 23% of us excitedly awaiting the return of everyone’s favourite TV detective. 41% of us say that we always sit down with family to watch the Christmas Day film on what is still a hugely important day for the box in the corner of the living room.

Freesat spokesperson Jennifer Elworthy commented on the findings: “With the best specials and compelling storylines across our favourite soaps, dramas and comedies, Christmas is without a doubt the best time of year to watch telly. This year looks set to be packed with great programmes for the whole family, whatever the situation. The toughest decision will be deciding what to watch.”

Freesat have launched a website with a compilation of the best of Christmas TV for the festive season. You can find some recommendations on the best TV for you this holiday at:Christmas.freesat.co.uk

Signal Box Theatre, York.  Thu 10 Dec – Sun 24 Jan 2016.  Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

Dick Whittington and his (meer)cat, was my first ever pantomime and I’m glad that I went to see this one; the performance itself was funny and suitable for all ages. A praise must go out to Berwick Kaler once again playing the dame. I found the acting style very strange at first, with them popping in and out of character; talking to the audience made the performance so much funnier. They used the signal box theatre to their advantage, with the rail track in the middle and an audience on two sides which made space for a ‘they’re behind you’ joke.

The theatre was due to open before the release of dick Whittington however due to archaeological finds the opening date has been pushed back to the 22nd of April 2016, Kaler made sure that that he fit in a joke about being at the Signal Box Theatre.

Martin Barrass played Willy Polony and Mayor Cheapskate, both characters were very melodramatic. The character of Willy made me laugh so much, with jokes about an actor not being a real job and a hilarious seal outfit which lead to him falling over and everyone in the audience laughing. Kaler played Paloma Polony, who had more extravagant dresses than you can count each relevant to the scene. There were lots of jokes about Kaler forgetting his lines, this was addressed in the scene when a customer kept forgetting his lines and upon finally saying it he got a applause from the audience. However David Leonard who played the villainous Herman Vermin stood out for me, with a complex song about listing all the places he had been in the world they even made a joke about it by trying to get the audience to sing along to it at the end; he played the character very well creating humour and hatred towards the character. I found that a scene where he started laughing and then a loud evil laugh came up on the speakers and as a result he jumped out of fear.

They had included new song like Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk and Lilly Allen’s LDN, they adapted the songs to suit the scene, LDN was used when the audience first see London, this was performed by Charlotte Cheapskate (Suzy Cooper) they made the song much more light hearted and fun. Herman’s song Hallelujah Herman was an adaptation of Hard Rock Hallelujah by Lordi which won them Eurovision. This song was fitting for the character and made for a great entrance for such a villain.
They used amazing puppets in an underwater scene, this was one of my most favourite parts as they had fish, a whale and marvellous octopus which was gigantic and has several people on the verticals. The smaller fish puppets had a dance sequence, the music here was a mix of several songs; they were bopping up and down and swaying from side to side. They use a see through curtain and lighting to creating a simple underwater effect which also concealed the actors which made the scene more immersive
Overall the performance was amazing and lived up the prestigious name that it has earned over the years, it is suitable for all ages and will make anyone laugh. I found myself sing along to some songs as everyone knew at least one song. The acting style was bizarre at first but then it became hilarious with the addition, of the cast talking to the audience. At the bows Kaler came on a small train, and he broke which made everyone laugh including most of the cast. An Excellent Performance once again by York Theatre Royal.