Coronation Street Star finds lost slipper in Swindon…it can only be the Wyvern Theatre Pantomime!

By Theresa Hopwood

The Wyvern Theatre pantomime has become a bit of a tradition for me now, and is a great way of adopting the Christmas spirit.

This year, as Mr H was away, I invited a good friend to join me, who I knew would fully embrace the atmosphere! As we were in Swindon we couldn’t resist the opportunity to call into the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet for a few bargain Christmas presents, and to get a bite to eat before heading to the Wyvern Theatre.

This year’s pantomime is Cinderella and as we arrived in the lobby there were plenty of excited little princesses who had dressed up for the occasion as well as many sparkly Christmas jumpers on adults ready to rediscover the magic of their own childhood.

Drinks and snacks are available at the Wyvern Kitchen, and Stage Bar, both of which were proving popular.

On to the main event, plenty of audience participation, wonderful costumes, song and dance, and plenty of comedy to appeal to all ages, ticked the list of pantomime essentials. There are some real stars in the cast, including Dickie Wood as the endearing Buttons, Victoria Farley as Cinderella, and Abigail Matthews as the Fairy Godmother. Those love to hate characters, the Ugly Sisters, played by David Ashely and Louie Westwood, have so many costume changes I imagine back stage is piled high with quickly discarded lavish dresses! Ryan Thomas has made the transition from the Coronation Street cobbles to Fairyland Prince without losing his true northern grit and accent!

There are plenty of references to Swindon to the delight of the audience, and the comedy is delivered with perfect timing and a touch of adult humour!

As with previous years we left with a smile on our faces and ready to start the Christmas celebrations! I am already looking forward to next year’s performance which has already been announced as Peter Pan.