When it comes to panto, there really is nothing like a dame. Audiences love them and the camper, the better, so the guy in the outrageous frock, bonkers bouffant and more eyeliner than one-liners, always tends to get the most laughs. It’s all about the outfit and no one knows that better than Sue Simmerling, creator of the lavish stage outfits for the Regent’s Christmas Spectacular 2021. Designer Sue, of Glad Rags Productions and Carry on Costumes in Christchurch, whose theatrical credits include West End hits such as White Christmas and Elf the Musical is, without doubt, the costumier to the stars. In 2012 she dared to take on the panto wardrobe of the one-and-only Paul O’Grady during his Lily Savage era – and won, transforming him into the ultimate Widow Twankey for Aladdin at the O2, London. “Paul O’Grady’s tiger dress was the most detailed and challenging costume we have ever made,” says Sue. Other major panto pros have had the full Carry on Costumes haute-couture service, including Christopher Biggins, Mathew Kelly, Aled Jones, Tom Chambers, Claire Sweeney, Laurence Llewelyn Bowen, Brian McFadden, Sheila Ferguson, Wendi Peters, Stephanie Powers and Les Dennis to name but a few! “Christopher Biggins made me laugh the most, she says, “he always had a good story to tell.” As you’d imagine, there are endless stand-out moments in panto: “The most risqué was when Matthew Kelly and his son Matt Rixon, who played Ugly Sisters turned their backs to the audience to reveal fake bottoms wearing thongs!” Sue produced the costumes for Elf: The Musical in Plymouth and Salford, dressing Atomic Kitten, Liz McClarnon and Louis Emerick, AKA PC Walsh in Last Of The Summer Wine. In 2019/2020 she worked her magic on Kimberley Walsh (Girls Aloud) and Jay McGuinness (Strictly 2015 winner) in Big The Musical in the West End and in Sleepless – The Musical at Wembley’s Troubadour. It’s Santa’s workshop all year round for Sue and her helper elves as they produce the stunning costumes that add that extra sprinkling of pixie dust to pantomimes. And you can see their amazing creations in all their glory in the Regent from Saturday, December 18. At curtain up, Santa and his elves are worried that stores of Christmas Spirit are too low to fly the sleigh. In a bid to solve the problem, they come to Christchurch to spread extra Christmas cheer Can the elves turn everyone’s frowns upside down? And will they raise enough festive spirit before the big day?

By Lorraine Gibson
newsdesk@stourandavon.net

Info you need:

Saturday, December 18 to Friday, December 24.
Eleven performances; (early booking advised)
Tickets: £18,
Concessions: £17
Matinees: £17
all seats Family of four: £60
Christmas Eve: £18 all seats
Box Office:
01202 499199
www.regentcentre.co.uk