Jimmy Osmond and Lee Ryan have been forced to pull out of panto due to medical problems. Starring in Peter Pan and Aladdin respectively, fans of the two well known stars are saddened by this news and hope they make a swift recovery.
American singer and actor Jimmy Osmond, had been booked for one of the largest pantomimes in the whole of the country: playing Captain Hook in Peter Pan at the Birmingham Hippodrome. Performing along side favourites Meera Syal, Matt Slack and Jaymi Hensley, the production bagged many 5 star reviews after opening on the 19th December. However, during the evening performance after Boxing Day, the star started to feel unwell. With strength and courage, he managed to finish the show. After, he was immediately taken to hospital where he was sadly diagnosed with a stroke.
Osmond is set not to return to the show, to allow time to recover. His part will be taken over by Darren Day who recently finished his run of the same show in Northampton. He has gallantly stepped in at the last minute to finish the rest of the run (until 27th Jan) at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
Playing Aladdin at the New Wimbledon Theatre, Lee Ryan seemingly disappeared at the interval of one performance. Many fans pointed out that he looked confused on stage. “He was all over the place and didn’t seem with it!” commented a member of the audience who posted a tweet. The New Wimbledon Theatre’s social media pages were bombarded with comments and complaints, however just like the audience, nobody really knew what was going on.
It was later revealed that Ryan “claimed” he was suffering from a chest infection that was affecting his singing voice. Qdos Entertainment (the company behind the production, also starring Paul Merton) released a statement saying that Ryan had pulled out of his contract and that his understudy Chris Durtnal would finish the run. A swift departure of the Blue singer shocked fans, but they hope he gets well soon.
This Pantomime Season also saw the artistic director of a theatre step in last minute when the leading lady injured herself just five minutes into the show. Theatre Clwyd’s artistic director Tamara Harvey was given just 25 minutes notice when the actress playing Alice in their Dick Whittington pantomime twisted her knee. The show paused for 25 minutes whilst Harvey was preparing, it then resumed and Harvey stole the show. The theatre erupted into loud applause during the bows and she was praised for her courage to step in! A special night indeed!
Understudies are the hidden side of the theatre world who need more appreciation. Without them, most of the time the show wouldn’t be able to go on. Well done to all understudies who performed during the 2018/19 Panto Season!
