Petition to stop the Theatre Royal axing the Pantomime with this cast

Comments

#1601

Our family has gone to this panto for many years and our daughter (now 42) and her husband drive for 3 hours from Banbury to come and see it every year. This is probably the best panto in the country and it would be criminal to stop it. I do not want big name celebrities, who know nothing about the art of pantomime to replace our excellent foursome, following a Berwick Kaler-written script!

Ian Nicholls (Leeds, 2020-01-16)

#1602

Because I believe the panto brings joy to everyone who goes every year. The cast are wonderful.

David Allport (Stockton on tees , 2020-01-16)

#1603

Our family has gone to this panto for many years and our daughter (now 42) and her husband drive for 3 hours from Banbury to come and see it every year. This is probably the best panto in the country and it would be criminal to stop it. I do not want big name celebrities, who know nothing about the art of pantomime to replace our excellent foursome, following a Berwick Kaler-written script!

Sadie Nicholls (Leeds, 2020-01-16)

#1604

The theatre royal panting is a family tradition for many, many families. Without the cast etc it's just another panto.

Jane Willows (York, 2020-01-16)

#1608

I do pantomimes and think it's a great way to get community's together. Also to keep traditions going for longer for people to enjoy in many years to come.

Laura Fallen (Edinburgh , 2020-01-16)

#1609

I love it

Alan Burden (Selby, 2020-01-16)

#1610

I’m signing because I’ve been going for 18 years and upset by the idea of it ending

Tabitha Stevenson (Wellingborough , 2020-01-16)

#1613

I'm signing because I go to this panto every year and love the cast. I really lookforward to it

Helen Redshaw (York, 2020-01-16)

#1616

I believe that the pantomime can be revamped, whilst staying loyal to the existing cast, who have shown great loyalty to the York Audience in the past, even turning down more profitable roles so they could participate in the pantomime. Also, it is my belief that the panto team helped to keep the theatre financially afloat in the 80s / 90s. Without their efforts, there would possibly be no theatre now. Come on show some loyalty and thanks for these wonderful performers.

Lee Falkingham (Newcastle, 2020-01-16)

#1620

The cast and the script have always been amazing. This is a york tradition which goez through generations of families. My children, in their 30s, always cherish their visits to this panto and were hoping to bring their children too. The brilliant cast are like family.

Liz Potter (York, 2020-01-17)

#1621

The reason I am signing this petition is that the pantomime makes my Christmas 🎄 I love the idea of spending a evening out with all my family cousins and aunties . We have made the pantomime an event that we all go to every year and I love 💕 it . I will be heart broken if it goes love Sandra x

Sandra Spellman (Selby, 2020-01-17)

#1630

This panto has been part of my life for 30 years and my children’s for the last 13 !!!! We love it and wouldn’t even think of going any where else !!!!

Claire Harper (York, 2020-01-17)

#1632

I’m signing because Christmas won’t be Christmas without this panto and cast.

Melanie Jones (York, 2020-01-17)

#1633

Big fan of the York Panto which is completely because of the amazing cast. They are the reason so many come back year after year.

Karen Casey (Huddersfield, 2020-01-17)

#1634

York Theatre Royal panto is an institution. The cast have given us years of entertainment & we want years more.

Emma Hunton (York, 2020-01-17)

#1640

It's always a wonderful show

Sheila Harper (York, 2020-01-18)

#1642

I do not want the cast members to be axed after all their hard work over the years

Alison Osborne (Malton, 2020-01-18)

#1644

I will not return to the theatre royal if the pantomime team are pulled. Its disgraceful. We have been coming for 37 years! Its about the people not the place!!!!!!

Helen Crannage (Pickhill, 2020-01-18)

#1646

It’ll be a sad day for the folk of york and beyond when the york panto team are disbanded. It’s hard to see how whatever is set to replace them will sell as many tickets and bring such joy.

Val Harrison (Middlesbrough, 2020-01-18)

#1647

I'm a southerner born and bred and have had the privilege of seeing the Santos for the last 6 years.

Theres no panto like the Berwick panto and without him behind the scenes it wont be right

Elizabeth Waddleton (York, 2020-01-18)

#1648

I have friends and family who work and perform at the Pantomine’s! Please don’t cause them to
Lose their jobs!! People love to go to see these performances!!

Kim Heard (Lakeland , 2020-01-18)

#1650

Have been going to the panto for over 25. years & my family can’t imagine a January without our traditional panto.

Elizabeth Pidd (Thirsk, 2020-01-18)

#1651

Family tradition for 20 years. Such a shame. Great entertainment from all the cast

Jamie Pidd (Northallerton , 2020-01-18)

#1652

We have been coming to this pantomime for nearly 20 years as a xmas treat from my mother and father in law. I am absolutely heartbroken that we may never be able to come and see our favourite pantomine friends ever again and i just hope and pray that everybody out there that loves the pantomime as much as we all do will sign this petition.

ALISON Pidd (Northallerton, 2020-01-19)

#1654

If it's not broken why fix it

Alice Dean (Harrrrogate, 2020-01-19)

#1656

I've been visiting York to see this particular production for 20 years and I haven't missed a single one! It's the way it's done and the cast that I come back for, and I see no reason why anything should be changed to it. It's the cast and proven recipe that makes this panto work for local folk who have been supporting it for decades.

Robi Janovski (Scarborough, 2020-01-19)

#1659

We have been travelling to York specifically to see this wonderful pantomime for the last twenty years. No other regional offering has the same creative spark and comedy genius. How could they have when the best theatrical team has already been assembled?

Carole Lovett (Norwich, 2020-01-19)

#1661

I love it and so so my family

Alicia Parker-Riachardson (York, 2020-01-19)

#1666

bc me likey

Cari Hughes (York, 2020-01-20)

#1667

L lyon

Lecia Lyon (Scarborough, 2020-01-20)

#1672

I'm signing because we have enjoyed many pantos at the theatre over 25 years with two generations of our family. We would like to take the third generation to enjoy the unique madness that is the York Theatre Royal panto. Bring back Berwick!

Elaine Capon (Doncaster, 2020-01-20)

#1675

I do not agree with changing the pantomime, keep the cast, it’s not broken don’t try fix it

Regan Gothard (York, 2020-01-20)

#1676

For over 25yrs I have been coming to see Berwick kayler panto at theatre royal.
It's the first and only panto I would ever see.
I think it's disgraceful to the cast to throw them out because sales have gone down.
Sales have gone down everywhere, but you can't beat loyalty.
We the public , love this panto and it's cast especially.
We deserve a say who we would want to pay our hard earned money to come and see, and that is the cast of the normal panto not anyone else.
You think you've lose money now, just you wait theatre royal, watch and see if we remain loyal to you after this.
As I know for a fact you have lost our family of over 40 people's business.
Hope you enjoy your empty Christmas theatre, as where the cast go, we go.

Sharon Mackenzie.. (York, 2020-01-20)

#1677

This is the best Panto in the area with the best cast. They have been together for so long which creates a great rapport between them. To break up this team would be a tragedy If a new writer is coming in, surely they should work with this fabulous cast. Couldn't this be included in the writers contract. This cast have been our panto family for over twenty years. Keith

Kieth Carlin (Selby, 2020-01-21)

#1678

I'm an original Berwick babbie and have been at the Panto for 38 years! My 10 year old daughter has been 8 times! Myself and my family will not be attending if the current cast do not continue, they ARE the reason we go.

Victoria Preston (Northampton, 2020-01-21)

#1679

We have been coming for 31 years and it is the start of our Christmas celebrations. During that time we have travelled from Scotland, Germany and London to see it and not missed a year. We come to see the familiar faces who now seem like old friends. The venue is maybe less important - one of the best years for the panto we thought was at the Railway Museum. There are 10 months of the year to be brave - keep the tradition for Christmas and don't throw out the baby with the bath water. Tom Bird might recall that the Globe got in trouble when it tried to throw out all the familiar things the regular audience knew and loved.

Jane Boyne (London, 2020-01-21)

#1681

I grew up in York as my folks lived there, & every year they wd take us kids to see the Panto at York Theatre Royal, & if we were lucky, we went to see Panto's in Harrogate & Leeds too! But we always felt that York's own Theatre Royal was the best! Save our Panto's!

Diana Afanasenko (Plymouth, 2020-01-22)

#1683

I think the cast are being unfairly treated. They put their heart and soul into the panto and are seen by many people as their extended family, they have many loyal supporters. Change can be a good thing but this may be a step too far.

Rachel Storr (York, 2020-01-22)

#1687

It's an institution that should continue.

Christopher Maltby (London, 2020-01-22)

#1689

To axe the best panto in the world would be a travesty!

Amanda Rhodes (Leeds, 2020-01-23)

#1691

Next year would have been our 40th family outing to this amazing production. We’re loyal to the cast and will follow wherever they lead ...

Bryony Coapes (Middlesbrough , 2020-01-23)

#1693

I'm signing up because i live in Nottingham and only come to the panto in york because of the cast they have, without them i won't be coming anymore.

Lucy Jackson (NOTTINGHAM, 2020-01-23)

#1695

The original cast deserve to continue, this is who we come to see!

Rebecca Barnett (Newcastle, 2020-01-23)

#1696

York panto is an institution and the top brass has made a mistake .

Andrea Welsh (Selby NORTH YORKSHIRE, 2020-01-23)

#1700

I'm a lifelong YTF Berwick Kaler & Co panto fanatic...my loyalty lies with the beloved cast & not the theatre...no Martin, Suzy, David or A.J then no bum on seat!

Michael Stephen (york, 2020-01-24)

#1702

I do not want this cast to get axed. I have attended this rubbish for the last 20 years and don’t want to stop now!

Catherine Vollans (York, 2020-01-25)

#1704

My family and I have been going to this panto for more than 25 years and it’s a huge part of are family tradition

Alan Rogers (Leeds, 2020-01-25)

#1705

I have loved going to the theatre every year and the cast are brilliant at what they do and lovely people.

Belinda Manton (Pickering, 2020-01-25)

#1706

It’s a tradition that need upholding.

Paul Rogers (Leeds, 2020-01-25)

#1707

It's Family!!!

Kirsty Buckle (York, 2020-01-25)

#1708

My parents first started taking me to York Panto as a child and we have continued the tradition with our son for the last 23 years. The fun laughter anticipation of the antics the cast will get up to leaves your sides aching. Think again! This is a real tragedy to York!

Carole Moulton (York, 2020-01-25)

#1709

Can't imagine York without the panto. What an utter shame. At least the other theatres will gain some custom as public loyalties will shift elsewhere.

Minnie Bee (York, 2020-01-25)

#1714

The theatre has earned so much money from Kaler's pantos over the years. They were proud to celebrate his retirement from acting, now this treatment from the theatre is very poor indeed.

We have been going for years, and the panto has been the primary reason we've been members of the theatre. That, unfortunately, will end should this cast and crew who have done so much for the theatre not be performing there anymore.

David Schultz (York, 2020-01-26)

#1715

This show is unique. We've been coming to this show for nearly 30 years. What a way to repay the cast crew and loyal audience. York proves that panto can be an admired art form for all ages, including children.

Ellen Hudspith (Oxford, 2020-01-26)

#1716

The York Theatre Royal panto has become a part of my life and my family. We visit every year from far away and our group expands every year as our family grows. We book in March and stay locally bringing money to the local economy. But the panto is our focus and reason for coming. Without it, our trip won't happen at all. And I, for one will be very sad.

Anne Edmonds (Milton Keynes , 2020-01-26)

#1717

It's the best panto team I've ever seen. Would be such a silly idea to scrap years of fun and laughter for a show that would never sell out as much as Berwick and his team have done. It's also such a kick in the teeth for the hard working regulars.

Sarah Murray (Leeds, 2020-01-26)

#1722

I have enjoyed the pantomime every year for 25 years

Melanie Cain (York, 2020-01-26)

#1723

This is YORK'S HERITAGES PANTO, it will be the biggest mistake York theatre will ever make by not keeping the traditional Christmas pantomime

Julie Nixon (York, 2020-01-26)

#1726

28 years ago I was taken to my first panto at 6 months old with my mum, dad and brother and it has kept our family going. My mum suffered from brain tumours since I was 9 but every year we got tickets and dad got us all to them all, we lost her in 2014 and it’s been so hard to keep my brother doing family things but he still wanted to do the annual panto trip, this has now ended and we will now probably not have a family night together again. The performances were amazing and for one night a year I could leave my troubles at the door

Lucy Tate (York, 2020-01-26)

#1727

I have been going to the York Panto since I can remember. After moving to Ireland it is on the odd occasion I get back to see one of the feel-good events I have ever had the pleasure of attending. My family in York still attends every year and it is a tragedy to stop this going ahead. Huge mistake by Management of the Theatre!

Valerie O'Donnell (Listowel, 2020-01-26)

#1730

I have been to nearly all if not all of the Theatre Royal panto's all of my family love to go, 15 of them at Christmas, I hope it continues in York, we will certainly be there at any venue.

Paul Reed (Yirk, 2020-01-26)

#1731

This is the best panto around

Anna Ahlberg (Uppsala, 2020-01-26)

#1734

This pantomime is the heart of the York christmas.

Hannah Jane (Selby , 2020-01-26)

#1735

I care too much to see such a fantastic cast who have given their lives to the York pantomime just get axed.

Jen Taylor (London, 2020-01-26)

#1739

I've been coming since I was a baby, I now bring my babbies from the Midlands. It's not the cast that are the problem but the crazy price of seats! We save up all year for the panto!

Lyndsey Edmonds (Leamington spa, 2020-01-26)

#1745

A family tradition for 25 years, I've been going to this since I was 4!
A panto that is unique to York and I still travel across from Manchester every year.
Tom Bird you have no idea what you are about to do! By axing this panto and it's cast, you will be the ones to lose out!
Our babbies and bairns will stick together to watch this "rubbish" aka the best panto in the country and we will follow them wherever they will go.
We are loyal customers to this panto and quite frankly we will NOT be give YTR a penny in the future if you do what you threaten. Your professionalism and the way you have gone about this matter is disgusting. Let's just hope the people in the meeting can see this too. #saveourpanto

Michaela Shilleto (Manchester, 2020-01-26)

#1747

I cannot believe this terrible decision. Have gone for years with my children and now grandchildren it makes our Christmas its medicine you can't get from a doctor

Barbara Senior (Malton , 2020-01-26)

#1748

We have been going to the Theatre Royal Panto for 30 years. It is unique and has contributed to the cultural background of the city.

Hilary Mortimer (York, 2020-01-26)

#1749

It's a big part of local peoples lifes, obviously some person/people dont under that.

Chris Roberts (Duns, 2020-01-26)

#1750

This is so wrong!!! The YTR panto is a huge tradition, I went as a kid every year, have introduced my kids to it now as well & my husband! We love it, if the sales have gone down maybe look at the extortionate prices you charge for what is supposed to be good family fun which are alienating a lot of families on an average income from being able to attend!!!

Amy Chamberlain-Wright (Tadcaster, 2020-01-26)

#1754

The Berwick Kaler panto has been part of my life since the age of 5. Now at 39, I am starting to introduce my children to the joy and wonderment that Berwick and the team bring to the stage each and every year.

Chris Hagyard (York, 2020-01-26)

#1756

I went as a child, I took my child and hope she will take her child. This is a part of York’s history and should not to lost.

Amy Scott (York, 2020-01-26)

#1757

This isn’t just a pantomime this is York tradition. York has the Minster, Vikings and Berwick Kaler and Cast. We’d wouldn’t be York if if we lost any one of these!

Pete Scott (York, 2020-01-26)

#1758

This is scandalous. Such a family show for decades. You feel part of a family when you go to this panto. Nothing else like it.

Amy Scott (York, 2020-01-26)

#1759

His legacy goes back as far as the Vikings, oh yes he is.....that old. Berwick Kaler and cast belong at York Theatre! The Scott family are part of Berwick’s Babbies and Bairns.

Sophie Scott (York, 2020-01-26)

#1760

I love this panto and have been going for the last 30 years with my gran. She went until the age of 95. I have now started to bring my own children. The cast are legends. We don't need change we need more of the same old rubbish! X

Caroline Casey (Howden, 2020-01-26)

#1763

I love going to the pantomime every year xx

Jill Jones (Leeds, 2020-01-26)

#1765

This panto has been part of our family tradition for 36 years, in all that time, we have always known we would have this forum to be part of the YTR family. These emotions are not evoked by other shows, but the coming together, once a year with a cast where we feel part of the actual event, not just part of the audience. The influence of the panto extends outwards and is seen in other shows, such as the Harrogate panto, and even the wicked witch in The Wizard of Oz at Leeds had David Leonard's laugh!!! It is very clever writing that can devise humour to satisfy minds of all ages and for many, the panto is the YTR, it brings people together who might otherwise never attend the theatre. I hope you will reconsider or find a way forward that will continue to support this long standing show.

Janine Jones (York , 2020-01-26)

#1772

Ever since 1980 I have enjoyed our own brand of panto s our quirky brand not the usual straight forward ones .

Adele Anderson (York, 2020-01-26)

#1775

Because I’ve been going for 15 years and it brings so much joy and I look forward to it every year.

Megan Lund (York, 2020-01-26)

#1777

I have been to almost every Panto and love it ....brilliant written and acted .

Patrica Hodgson (Middlesbrough , 2020-01-26)

#1779

Been gping to this over 40 years. 4 generations of my family we all love this panto. There's no other like it. Have been to others and they are boring.

Sarah Richardson (York, 2020-01-26)

#1780

J e dodd

Jen Dodd (Glossop, 2020-01-27)

#1784

16 years of a favourite family tradition

A Debra Grace (Tadcaster, 2020-01-27)

#1785

I was at the first Berwick Kaler panto as a child, and I was at the last with My mum, and children. It’s an institution!!

Sara Emery (York, 2020-01-27)

#1794

Tom Bird needs publicly hanging for even thinking about changing the panto, let alone actually doing it! If it ain’t broke it don’t need fixing. I’m a 20yr panto visitor & will not be returning if they axe current cast.

Alli Wilcox (York, 2020-01-27)

#1799

I too have such wonderful memories of these pantos and as long as the”team” want to continue they should as they are all so much loved by so many

Jane Barnes (York , 2020-01-27)

#1800

I have been to this panto every year for 38 years and its part of our tradition. Its still current, relatable and funny! My children love it too, their laughter and happiness proves its for all ages. Tom Birds facts are not true stating sales are down but yet lots of my friends couldn't get tickets and the night we went a family was dotted all over as couldn't get seats together.

Katherine Johnson (York, 2020-01-27)



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