The Stage

Taking all shapes

Published Monday 15 January 2007 at 10:10

With reference to the letter from Johnny Dallas, (Stage Talk, January 4, page 7) I wish to make the following observations.

While agreeing with some of Mr Dallas’s letter, his surprise that a pantomime had a “white prince and a black Dandini” dismayed me. Is Prince Charming not allowed to have a black friend? Pantomime is a story, not history. I would remind Mr Dallas that according to the Oxford English dictionary when panto is before a word, as in pantomime, the meaning is “taking all shapes”, “encompassing all”. In my positions as secretary of Manchester Council for Community Relations, chair of Manchester and District Variety Branch (Equity) and vice-chair of Variety Advisory Committee (Equity) we have always promoted integrated casting without prejudice - the best person for the job - to create the most professional performance. Colour, race and creed are unimportant, the only things that count are talent and aptitude. For theatre to survive in the 21st century we must concentrate on utilising the best professional performers available, “encompassing all”.

Geremy Phillips

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