The sound of booing, hissing and screaming will be heard over the People's Theatre, Heaton in December...“Oh no it won't!”...“Oh yes it will!”
 | | Maggie Watson in Mother Goose, 1997 |
Maggie Watson, a hospital social worker in Sunderland, is directing this year's People's panto – Jack and the Beanstalk, written by Paul Laidlow. Rehearsals are well under way, having started in early October. Keith Wigham, hair stylist and wig maker is this year’s panto Dame and describes panto as “fun both on stage and for the audience. It’s also a great British tradition!” Maggie, a panto veteran, has directed three pantos, assistant directed four others and has appeared as the Fairy Godmother in no more than four more but she still finds new challenges in this year's panto - “getting the cow not to bump into other characters will be challenging.” Maggie, who joined the People's 37 years ago after “returning home to Newcastle from Drama College", loves to work on Pantos because she “enjoys working with everyone – singers, dancers and actors.” Keith has been involved at the People’s since 1976, joining when he moved to Newcastle from Consett. Keith who has been involved in eight pantos and played every other role, but Dame, says “I was bullied into becoming a Dame years ago by Maggie” after shying away from it for many years! Keith also adds “she bullied me to be Dame Trotty this year!”
 | | Keith Wigham as the Dame in Panto |
Keith also designs all of his own costumes and wigs – Maggie adds “this year Keith has surpassed himself with his costumes!” The worst moment for Keith as panto Dame is when he threw sweets out to the audience and they “were pelted back at me!” Much to Maggie’s delight, Keith won’t have trouble with his lines, saying “well written lines are easy to learn.” Keith, explaining the way he recovers if he forgets his lines, says “I just say “where are we dear?” to the other cast members!” Maggie describes Jack and the Beanstalk as “a traditional family panto that tells a story” and adds “it's the biggest show per season and involves lots of members, both backstage, onstage and front of house.” While Keith says “we have a wonderful cast, a marvellous director and a beautifully crafted script!” – and not forgetting “Wigs to die for!” After this year's panto, Maggie is going to “sleep for a week!” while Keith is going to return to wig making - “Oh no they're not!!!” | 
