Andrew Ryan Interview: First Memories of Pantomime
Title
Andrew Ryan Interview: First Memories of Pantomime
Date
11 January 2018
Description
Oral history interview with Andrew Ryan, actor, director and regular Pantomime dame
What's the story?
Born in Bradford, Andrew has an extensive and wide-ranging acting and directing career, working in both the West End and theatres up and down the country. He is well-known to Theatre Royal audiences, through his regular involvement in the annual Classic Thriller Season.
His Pantomime career spans 31 productions. 2017 was his 27th year playing the Dame, including four appearances in many extravagant frocks at the Theatre Royal.
In this interview, Andrew shares his memories of when he first saw Pantomime as a child at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford and the Grand Theatre and City Varieties in Leeds, seeing performers such as Harry Worth.
Oh, my first memories would be of the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford. That’s where I first went to Pantomime, I think. And also the Grand in Leeds. I remember seeing Harry Worth quite a few times at the Grand and Dick Emery did a couple there. And I saw Cannon and Ball, a bit before they were famous, I think. I think they were on their way up, but I’m sure they did the Leeds Grand. And I used to go there with my nan and we used to sit near the front, because I don’t think my parents liked Panto much: it wasn’t their bag. And also, actually the City Varieties in Leeds, I remember going to see Pantomime there and being taken out or stopped from going to Panto because I think it was a bit “rude”. My parents thought it was a bit unsuitable. And here I am doing Pantomime. I think times have moved on since then.
His Pantomime career spans 31 productions. 2017 was his 27th year playing the Dame, including four appearances in many extravagant frocks at the Theatre Royal.
In this interview, Andrew shares his memories of when he first saw Pantomime as a child at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford and the Grand Theatre and City Varieties in Leeds, seeing performers such as Harry Worth.
Oh, my first memories would be of the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford. That’s where I first went to Pantomime, I think. And also the Grand in Leeds. I remember seeing Harry Worth quite a few times at the Grand and Dick Emery did a couple there. And I saw Cannon and Ball, a bit before they were famous, I think. I think they were on their way up, but I’m sure they did the Leeds Grand. And I used to go there with my nan and we used to sit near the front, because I don’t think my parents liked Panto much: it wasn’t their bag. And also, actually the City Varieties in Leeds, I remember going to see Pantomime there and being taken out or stopped from going to Panto because I think it was a bit “rude”. My parents thought it was a bit unsuitable. And here I am doing Pantomime. I think times have moved on since then.
Type
Oral interview
Location of item
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
Rights
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
Contributor
Interviewers: Liz Mackenzie and Stephen Bray
Transcriber: David Chilton
Transcriber: David Chilton
