For several years from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, an annual tradition on BBC Radio 2 was to celebrate the festive season with a Christmas Pantomime.
The familiar cries of "Oh no It isn't!" and "It's behind you!" adorned several full-cast presentations of shows such as Aladdin and Sleeping Beauty and have recently been released on both compact disc and audio download as part of AudioGO's vintage BBC Radio Pantomime series and serve to recapture the fun of the pantomime season for audio fans.
Written by comedian Chris Emmett, Aladdin (from 1980) and Sleeping Beauty (from 1983) feature prime examples of seasonal fun and merriment from a cavalcade of Christmas stars including Kenneth Connor, Alfred Marks, Clodagh Rodgers, Billy Boyle, Terry Wogan, Frank Thornton, June Whitfield, Nerys Hughes, Maureen Lipman, Stacey Dorning and Jimmy Young.
Kenneth Connor Has A Carry On As Widow Twankey In Aladdin
Recorded in front of a live audience and originally broadcast on Christmas Day, 1980, Aladdin is a faithful retread of the story of a happy peasant boy from China who is tricked by his Uncle Abanazar into entering a secret cave to find a magical lamp.
Carry On film stalwart Kenneth Connor takes on the magical role of Widow Twankey while 1960s pop star Clodagh Rodgers lends her vocal talents to the role of Aladdin, leading the ensemble cast in a selection of rousing songs.
However; it’s the booming authoritative presence of the much missed comedian and actor Alfred Marks that steals the show. A seemingly under rated and forgotten comedy presence, it would be a bonus for AudioGO to release more of Alfred’s radio work in the future.
Radio 2 DJ's Terry Wogan And Jimmy Young Join The Cast Of Sleeping Beauty
Moving on three years Radio 2 Disc Jockey Terry Wogan heads the cast as the Court Jester in a production of Sleeping Beauty. In this hilarious adaptation of the popular tale, the King and Queen’s christening ceremony for their baby daughter Rosebud is interrupted by the Wicked Fairy Carabosse. Carabosse casts a wicked spell on the baby for if Rosebud pricks her finger and spills a drop of blood she will fall into a deepest sleep, of which only a seventh son of a seventh son can intervene and break the spell.
Joining Terry Wogan is this seasonal comedy offering is Kenneth Connor, Frank Thornton (from Are You Being Served?), June Whitfield, Nerys Hughes (from The Liver Birds), Maureen Lipman, Stacey Dorning and making a special guest appearance Radio 2 Disc Jockey Jimmy Young.
In true pantomime traditions these seasonal recordings are great fun for all the family and will make great presents as either downloads or on compact disc format.
Lasting for approximately one hour each, the sound quality on both shows is excellent embellished with magnificent musical arrangements and sound effects and is suitable for listening on both hi-fi sound systems or on personal iPod or MP3 equivalent.
