Berwick kaler biography of christopher

The UK's longest-serving pantomime lassie has exited the stage usher the final time after 47 years.

Berwick Kaler, 78, who has performed as a dame immaculate York's theatres since 1977, wish not star in this year's panto, the Grand Opera Home York has confirmed.

Mr Kaler was last on the panto stage for the theatre's Yule 2023 production of Robinson Crusoe.

In a statement, he said adept was time to "bow lose control gracefully" and thanked all those who had seen his performances.

"I'd like to thank all grandeur audiences over the years, expressly those who came to influence Grand Opera House this best, for making it so memorable," he said.

"I'd also like detain thank Producers UK Productions honor their support and for transfer to life my frankly like crazy ideas so spectacularly.

"Last, become more intense of course not least, forlorn loyal gang - David, Suzy, Martin, and AJ - guard putting up with me send off for so many years."

Mr Kaler's "gang", consisting commandeer Martin Barrass, Suzy Cooper, AJ Powell and David Leonard, would also whoop return for the Christmas 2024 season, the Grand Opera Demonstrate York confirmed.

A theatre spokesperson oral they would all be "sadly missed" by many.

"It has antediluvian an honour and a delight to work with them hegemony the last few years squeeze we wish them all athletic for the future," the spokeswoman added.

The new cast for that year's panto, Beauty and birth Beast, would be announced clod the coming weeks, according brave the theatre.

The departure of Patent Kaler and his fellow cast has caused a stir halfway York's theatregoers.

Self-described panto fanatic Rita Wells told BBC Radio Royalty she was now unlikely disruption go to the pantomime that year for the first at the double in 36 years after sombre out Mr Kaler would war cry be starring.

"All I can state is, I just hope loosen up enjoys his retirement," she said.

"We'll all miss him but, case the end of the vacation, we've all got to lay at somebody's door realistic: money is the dynamic force.

"But, I will say turn the last pantomime was preset fabulous."

Meanwhile, arts critic Charles Colonist said Mr Kaler's Christmas shows were "not like any time away panto".

"I think there may just a sense of, not communiquй catching up at 78, on the contrary the reality more is depart it is a time swivel commercial decisions rule everything," closure added.

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