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

Comments

#1401

I love the panto, my grandparents took my mum when she was a kid (in 1977 when they first started) and I’ve been going every Boxing Day for all of the 20 years I’ve had on this earth. The fan base is one of the most loyal I have ever been a part of and it’s a crying shame that they should be split up due to what I can tell are simply teething problems after the loss of Berwick that should only improve in the next few years

Joe Harper (York, 2020-01-13)

#1402

This cast is part of York's family, and it's a disgrace if they wont return!

Claire Williams (York , 2020-01-13)

#1410

There is no other Panto like it- it is unique and a coming to see this Panto is part of our family tradition.

Tracy Clarke (York, 2020-01-13)

#1413

I love the York panto as it is!

Fiona Phillips (York, 2020-01-13)

#1418

Been going to panto for over 30 years obsoloutly appalled this could happen

Diane Trodd (York, 2020-01-13)

#1419

How can the theatre royal axe this when it’s been it’s highest earner for years, this annoys me so much.

Ian Murray (York, 2020-01-13)

#1423

This is a historic event and does York proud.

Jane James (York, 2020-01-13)

#1426

This sort of drama is rare. I've been every year since 1996.

Stephen Ollivier (York, 2020-01-13)

#1428

The fight has to continue this is an institution and the boyish management has miscalculated what the people of York will do if the new broom sweeps everything away rather than tidying up a little.

Neil Tedstone (Bewdley, 2020-01-13)

#1429

I think it's important to retain the current pantomime actors

Averil Addison (York, 2020-01-13)

#1431

Best panto in the u.k.

Simon Hall (Newport, 2020-01-13)

#1432

Signing because bern going to panto with family for many years on Christmas Eve and we all love it even without Berwick

Sue Gouldi (York, 2020-01-13)

#1433

I think the powers at York Theatre Royal are making a big mistake. We love all of the panto actors and the format, and the local references. So we want to see it next year.

Julia Wait (York, 2020-01-13)

#1435

York royal needs a new director! Sad day for york!

Zack Lunn (York, 2020-01-13)

#1436

I have been going to this panto since I was a young child and my kids have grown up with it. It is an institution and a family tradition, our Christmas would not be the same without it.

Karyn Harper (Malton, 2020-01-13)

#1438

I’ve never missed a panto since I was a kid and my 23 year old daughter sees it as a vital family tradition. It must continue.

Geraldine O’Brien Mead (Scarborough , 2020-01-13)

#1439

I'm signing because I support Yorks traditional pantomime abmnd the wonderful cadt that have brougjt so much joy and laughter to so many over the decades.

Nigel Walker (York, 2020-01-13)

#1441

I’m signing because I love the pantomime, I’ve come every year with 9 other family members from since I was 2 years old. Save the panto!! :) :)

Ellie Marshall (York, 2020-01-13)

#1442

I've worked at York theatre Royal for 13 years and I just love the whole panto months it would be a shame to lose this

Collene Plant (York, 2020-01-13)

#1447

I am signing this petition because I, along with my family have been going to this panto for 20 odd years (most of my life). It's a brilliant panto and the people in it are equally so. It is tradition for many and deserves to continue for as long as the actors would like to do so. It would break many hearts to cancel it 💔😩

Bethan Powell (Selby, 2020-01-13)

#1451

I want to support Martin, David, Suzie and AJ
I have queued for years 1st in the queue

Sharon Smith (Driffield, 2020-01-13)

#1454

It’s a Yorkshire tradition and it brings everyone together. Don’t mess with something that’s fantastic as it is

Harry Kane (Selby, 2020-01-13)

#1456

This panto and cast are my life at Christmas time. There is nothing better.

Annabel Swift (York, 2020-01-13)

#1457

I have seen everyone of Berwicks Panto’s, this Panto belongs to the babies and bairns of York!

Karen Garnett (York, 2020-01-13)

#1458

I'm disgusted by the way the panto cast have been treated, not to mention the loyal attendees who return every Christmas to join them. These actors have made an enormous contribution to the Theatre Royal's income year after year and they weren't even allowed to finish their run before having this sprung on them. I think the theatre management will find out for themselves over the next twelve months that they've shot themselves in the foot.

Jan Dixon (York, 2020-01-13)

#1460

Berwick and his cast have been loyal to York theatre royal and they shouldn't be ousted

Joanne Mordue (York, 2020-01-13)

#1464

Our family - 3 generations - have been going to the Berwick Kaler panto for 40 years - almost from the start.

Steve Hoyland (Thirsk, 2020-01-13)

#1465

I'm signing because this panto is more than a show. It's a part of the fabric of the city. I grew up with these guys as a constant. I now bring my own kids, all the way from Birmingham, to see the best panto in the land. In my hometown. Generations of the same family in the audience. This would be such a devastating mistake for the theatre.

Laura Quigley (Birmingham, 2020-01-13)

#1466

The York Pantomime is one of the best in the country/ Instead of getting rid of them all, bring in a new villain and make David the dame. Give the cast faith, and let them work it out

Catherine Fairlamb (Alton, 2020-01-13)

#1468

I urge the theatre to reconsider their decision. The pantomime is something unique to York and I think any attempt to change it radically will not end well. Most of the audience at this point are accustomed to seeing the show every year and for those who don’t, there are plenty of alternatives.

Sam Brown (York, 2020-01-13)

#1470

The panto is brilliant!!! It was great this year!!!!! DONT axe it!!! That’s criminal!!!!

Jo Dalgleish (York, 2020-01-13)

#1471

Christmas will not be the same without a visit to the Theatre Royal panto. This was our 35th year and if Berwick wanted to carry on, then so would we.

Graham Mordue (York, 2020-01-13)

#1472

I'm signing because the York Theatre Royal Pantomime IS Christmas. Fact!

Jeremy Langham (Thames Ditton, 2020-01-13)

#1477

It’s a fantastic show which has become a tradition within many families, the cast make it what it is. Fix the prices lower instead of getting rid of the show!

Simone Layton (York , 2020-01-13)

#1480

We have been going to the theatre for years and years it has now become a tradition throughout generations of out family the kids and us all love it and would be so sad to see it go.

Millie Horner (Leeds , 2020-01-13)

#1482

I feel very strongly about this issue

Janet Holmes (Selby, 2020-01-13)

#1485

Been going for 40 years, wouldn’t bother if no panto or different panto

Richard Fearn (York, 2020-01-13)

#1486

The pantomime is very important and a tradition that should be continued

Julie Marriott (Selby, 2020-01-13)

#1489

I think it’s a travesty that this decision is being taken. When the theatre needed major restoration work, Panto audiences contributed a large amount to keep the theatre going. Even though the panto had to relocate to the railway sidings, it still enjoyed huge support.

Christopher Lynch (Market Drayton , 2020-01-13)

#1494

They are a tradition of York Theatre Royal and I believe that without them, the theatre would be at risk of closing..

Helen Metcalfe (York, 2020-01-13)

#1495

It's brilliant!

Elizabeth Reading (Wetherby , 2020-01-13)

#1496

The pantomime is an institution in York. Not to mention a permanent fixture on people’s calandras. It has created a massive family across York for generations and should be allowed to continue to do so for generations to come.

Matthew Eastaugh (York, 2020-01-13)

#1497

I am in Support to save the Panto in York at York Theatre Royal.

Michael Scott (York , 2020-01-13)

#1499

I’m signing this petition because this panto was absolutely amazing! Nothing can compare to the pantomime of York theatre royal and cast where amazing and their dedication over the last 4 decades deserves to go on!

Natasha Campbell (York, 2020-01-14)

#1500

I have been going to the panto for 35 years and think it's totally wrong to stop this family tradition.
Just because Berwick has gone dosnt mean it is dead it can carry on just support them.
I grew up with the panto, my kids are losing that choice,

cathy Acaster (York, 2020-01-14)

#1501

I've been a fan of the panto in York for over 15 years I'm 22 now
I took my Portugeae girlfriend 2 years ago
It was her first and she adores it

It's family gathering
It's fun
Laughter
It's family

Jacob Barker (York , 2020-01-14)

#1503

I spent one of my favorite Christmas’s in York and watching the Panto with that amazing cast was definitely one of my most memorable highlights!

Scarlett Rose Patterson (Los Angeles , 2020-01-14)

#1506

I LOVE this panto. I tried the panto at the opera house this year, as Kaler had left, to see what the competition had to offer and it wasn’t even close to the standard of the York Theatre panto. I’ve been spoilt by attending that one with my family for years and I want my son to have the same luxury. Otherwise this incredible British traditional will start to die. We can’t let that happen.

Charlotte Gregory (York, 2020-01-14)

#1508

We can't lose this panto. It's the highlight of the year.

Elizabeth Walker (Pocklington , 2020-01-14)

#1509

This particular pantomime with its exceptional cast have been a significant and wonderful part of our lives for 41 years.
Each year, 10 members of my family, spanning 3 generations and several mental health issues, come together to enjoy this most joyous, uplifting experience. Over the years we have shared in the lives of other audience members, by way of the shout-outs and even a live marriage proposal on stage, followed by subsequent wedding and baby news updates and we’ve been honoured with a few golden waggon wheels!
It is a delightful and special experience to share with others.
The cast, their abilities and their work as a team is unique and special. We would continue to support them in any venue they appeared. They are what makes the whole experience so very special and they have earned our loyalty.

Jacky Pyle (Wetherby , 2020-01-14)

#1510

The York Panto is a Family Tradition or ours and I want to see it maintained for my Children and their Children.

David Burton (Leeds, 2020-01-14)

#1515

I’m signing this petition in solidarity with the existing cast who have brought so much laughter to me and my family for the 20 years

Barney Frith (Blaenau Ffestiniog , 2020-01-14)

#1517

I've been going to this pantomime since the late 80s (including Berwick's last panto last year). I've lived in Newcastle for the last 21 years but have always come back for it, as have lots of people, many from outside the country. Even though he's retired, I'll still come back each year to see the remaining cast do the show: I've grown up with them and their love for the show and Berwick's ethos live on beyond his direct involvement. Without them, there are plenty of perfectly good pantos up this way.

Mark Carroll (Newcastle upon Tyne, 2020-01-14)

#1518

My dad worked at theatre for 25 years . It's been in my family that long and I'm still going every year .

Amanda Hedley (York, 2020-01-14)

#1520

Ive grown up with the Panto; we go as a family every year, we love it!

Nicola Glowala (YORK, 2020-01-14)

#1521

Keep our Panto!

Dick Raines (York, 2020-01-14)

#1522

We love this version of Panto, as do our grandchildren who come from Germany and Canada, and we’d never go to any other “ normal “ Panto........remove this event at your peril !

Jeffrey Milner (Boston Spa, 2020-01-14)

#1524

I don’t generally like pantomime but I love THIS pantomime! I’m a relative new comer to it, only going to my first performance 6 years ago as I was rather scared of pantomimes as a child, disliking the evil villains, nasty jokes (often at the expense of the younger audience members) and often adult humour that you felt left out of and bewildered by as a child. I went to see this group of pantomime legends to keep a friend company and immediately felt part of this wonderful gang of delightful lunatics! This pantomime is unique and feels like walking into an extended family. It is deliciously daft and very visual, easy for everyone to feel a part of without having to be the butt of any nasty jokes. It is childlike without being childish, funny without being nasty, & has the best (dare I say, lovable?!) pantomime villain in the business. It’s such a fabulous, original part of York’s Christmas tradition. The audience are always made to feel an integral part of every show and it belongs to the city like no other production ever can or will. To fail to see and understand this is short sighted and to replace this unique, genuinely happy experience, with something that will then be just like all the other pantomimes I’ve tried and disliked would be very sad indeed.

Joanne Hartley (York, 2020-01-14)

#1525

This is such a unique production, so long standing and well supported and usually gaining excellent reviews in the national. The Christmas season would not be the same without it. This is creative vandalism

Delyth Harran (York, 2020-01-14)

#1528

The panto is part of our Christmas tradition and is an important part of York's modern heritage

Helen Macrae (York, 2020-01-14)

#1530

I love the York panto! While Berwick was a big part of it so are suzy, Martin, David and the rest of the gang! It surely is not surprising that ticket sales were down a bit this year - we can't afford for whole family to go every year (we no longer all live in York) so had a year off after making special effort for Berwick's last one - you need more than a year to judge it! I hope to come back in 2020 but certainly would not come back to York for the panto at all if there were substantial changes to the main cast and general nonsense ethos. If you bring in an actual plot, we'll lose the plot!

Rachel Ormston (EDINBURGH, 2020-01-14)

#1532

My family and I have visited the Panto for the last 20 year and to see it and the amazing cast go would be a horrendous shame

Mel Bell (York, 2020-01-14)

#1535

Seen 33 of these pantos and have loved every one. My grandson aged 4 & 2 love it too. Best panto around, no celebs just great fun.

Gillian Ward (York, 2020-01-14)

#1536

This has been such a brilliant tradition for so many years, and personal friend David Leonard is such an outstanding performer and I support he and his family and his contribution to the Pantomime.

Don Lonsbrough (Lke Oswego, OR, 2020-01-14)

#1544

I'm signing because it is well known that the panto season puts a lot of bums on seats giving the theatre much needed revenue. What can this be replaced by that will attract as many fans?

Robin Rigby (York, 2020-01-14)

#1546

We love coming to this unique pantomime. It’s a family tradition we look forward to each year. Long may it continue.

Helen McB (Windsor, 2020-01-14)

#1549

We have a family tradition of coming to York panto and have been every year for the last 24 years. It is our most anticipated Christmas tradition would be devastated to see it go

Sophie Abbott (Ripon, 2020-01-14)

#1551

It would be a terrible shame to loose this production!

Allison Wallace (York, 2020-01-14)

#1553

Even without Berwick, it's a wonderful, magical show, with absolutely electrifying performances by all concerned. Long live Martin, Suzy, AJ and sexybeast David!

Julie Speedie (York, 2020-01-14)

#1556

It would be such a huge loss.Don't try to fix something that isn't broken.

Patricia O'Connell (York, 2020-01-14)

#1559

I've been going to the Panto at York Theatre Royal for the last 35 years. How on earth can you think of stopping something that is the very heart of York at Christmas

Jane Mordue (York, 2020-01-14)

#1560

I’ve been going to the panto for 40 years with all my family

Isobel Stevenson (Northampton , 2020-01-14)

#1564

I’ve been coming to the pantomime for the last 34 years. The team did an excellent job without Berwick this year and I think the traditional cast should be kept and brought forward

Elizabeth Townsend (Thirsk, 2020-01-15)

#1566

This is an amazing production, worth of support and because the maths involved in the supposed better production is so deeply flawed on so many levels, I can only assume the reason for the change is not an honest one.

Jonathan Dale (York, 2020-01-15)

#1568

My wife and myself have been to this panto for over 30 years and our friends have joined us for the past 20. It is part of our Christmas and part of our lives and we love all the cast and Berwick and all his panto friends must be hurting at this decision. It would be the worst idea to break this annual tradition for us all and we would certainly not attend a different panto in the future

Michael Vosper (Leeds ENGLAND, 2020-01-15)

#1570

Been attending for 34years, along with several generations of family. When something clearly works don’t change it for the sake of change.

Simon Townsend (THIRSK , 2020-01-15)

#1572

My family and I have been coming to this panto ever since Berwick started being the dame. Just because he is no longer in the cast is no reason to axe it. We loyal theatre goers have grown to love the remaining cast just as much. Yes, attendances have dropped this first year without Berwick, because people don’t like change, but this will pick up again because this is an institution we all love and cherish. Theatre Royal need to be loyal to the cast that have done them so well for so long and not do a knee jerk reaction to a temporary drop in sales caused by a much loved actor taking a well deserved retirement!

Chris Gaze (York , 2020-01-15)

#1575

I have grown up with this pantomime, the actors are fabulous and I have loved watching them for 38 years now. It’s such clever fun at Christmas time and a tradition I’m excited to share with my children in the future. It’s a shame that Berwick isn’t part of it anymore but he definitely deserves a break. Long live the panto!!

Sophie Parry (Whitby, 2020-01-15)

#1576

It is our family tradition, as so many other families, to go to see this panto.

Claire Lee (York, 2020-01-15)

#1579

I don't want this to close.

Matthew Richardson (Sheffield, 2020-01-15)

#1581

It would be a sad sad loss for York

Samantha Wilson (North Yorkshire, 2020-01-15)

#1582

This is a show I have been to near enough every year since birth, 23 loyal years. My grandparents used to take my parents, my parents took me and it has always been a dream of mine to take my future children. Me and my family are truly devastated, and cannot imagine a Christmas without this. I speak for the younger generation in saying this is not a way to get a younger audience, I have and always will be a fan of York theatre royal but not if they plan on axing their best feature.

Lily O'Brien (Scarborough , 2020-01-15)

#1586

My family have come to see this pantomime for years! Dont take away the heart of york!!!!

Natasha Webster (York, 2020-01-15)

#1587

I hate the treacherous and backstabbing way a major part of York's cultural tradition is being threatened by some a***hole who thinks he knows better than the public what they want. The cast deserve better.

Alister Willins (Selby, 2020-01-15)

#1588

The panto is part of our christmas. It is unfair how the cast are being treated. The profit made is not down to the cast but the management, for many reasons but one point they have put prices up but this has made it unaffordable for many and therefore not been able to go

Heidi Lever (York, 2020-01-15)

#1589

I’m signing because Martin, David, Suzy and of course Berwick are like family and have been with me all my life (and I’m now nearly 50).

Ian Sanderson (London, 2020-01-15)

#1591

I adore Berwicks pantomimes at the Theatre Royal. I hope the cast and company are back for many years to come. I travel down from Edinburgh to see it. The cast & audiences deserve better from the new Producers.

Arron Usher (Edinburgh, 2020-01-15)

#1592

This panto was the best in York! I went Forest when I was 10 years old and have been back with my own kids. I now live in Canada but would be heartbroken if the panto was cancelled!!!

Amanda Robertson (Owen Sound, 2020-01-15)

#1597

I have thoroughly enjoyed the pantomime for the last 30 years. So sad that it may now be coming to an end.

Tony Questa (York, 2020-01-15)

#1598

I am signing this because I love this panto and its cast. My granddaughters are devastated by the news. They have been coming with me since they were 3 and can’t believe they won’t be coming next year.

Marilyn Norris (York, 2020-01-15)

#1600

Put more effort into marketing the panto and supporting the local community engagement before deciding to axe the panto - it needs another year bedding in following the change. I think this could be a huge mistake otherwise..

Jane Lang (Banbury, 2020-01-16)



Paid advertising

We will advertise this petition to 3000 people.

Learn more...