Rye’s festive season sparkled with laughter, colour and creativity thanks to this year’s panto, Crazy Christmas at the Haunted Hotel presented by Rye Players on 12-14 December at Rye Theatre.
A joyful blend of comedy, music and seasonal chaos, the production proved once again that Rye punches well above its weight when it comes to community theatre.
From the moment the curtain rose, audiences were swept into the delightfully spooky world of the haunted hotel, where Christmas cheer collided with ghostly goings-on. Under the assured direction of Xan Kite, the show had laugh-out-loud moments and heart-warming scenes that kept all ages fully engaged with lots of “He’s behind you!”, “ Oh Yes he is; Oh No he isn’t,” resonating through the theatre as everyone joined in.
A standout feature of the production were the fantastic music arrangements by Martin Bruce, which added energy, atmosphere and emotion throughout. The songs were catchy, well-placed and fun helping to drive the story forward and lift the entire show. The music became the heartbeat of the panto, drawing the audience deeper into the festive fun.
Visually, the production was a triumph. The set design by Keiran and Charlotte transformed the stage into a wonderfully eerie yet playful hotel setting, packed with clever details and visual surprises. It provided the perfect backdrop for both comedy and choreography, proving how much thoughtful design can enhance storytelling.
Particularly impressive were the young dancers from the Rye Dance Centre, whose confidence, precision and sheer enthusiasm lit up the stage. Their performances were a real highlight, earning well-deserved applause and showing the strength of young talent being nurtured in the Rye area.
Crazy Christmas at the Haunted Hotel was everything a panto should be: funny, festive, slightly bonkers and full of community spirit. It left audiences smiling, humming the tunes on the way home, and feeling that unmistakable glow that only live theatre at Christmas can bring.
Pantomime Dames are one of the great traditions of British panto – gloriously loud, lovingly outrageous and always at the heart of the fun. They are played usually by an older man but not for Rye.
B.A.J.D. played the Dame and is 22.
How long have you been singing and dancing? I have been singing and dancing since I was about eleven. I was always playing a guitar and loved music and have been in shows since I was 17, often with Rye Players and productions in Hastings too.
How long have you been involved with Rye Players and what parts have you played? I joined three years ago and have loved all the productions I have taken part in.
Do you see singing and performing being a big part of your future?? Yes, it is the career path I want to take.
What was it like playing the dame? Did you get advice from other Dames, watch videos of pantos or just rely on how you thought it should be played. I looked on the internet for inspiration. I knew I wanted to show off my Afrocentric heritage so I thought hard how I could do that and created a character that was part fun but also quite serious too. I have learnt a great deal and enjoyed my role immensely. I was surprised at how much energy it took to play the part well.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .