A cast of first and second generation immigrants will be led by Vikash Bhai who will play Lord Villain in BOLD Theatre’s world premiere production of Shani Erez’ political comedy with songs The Foreigners’ Panto.
He is joined by Suzy Kohane (Hexenhammer Vault Festival, The Secret Life of Humans English Theatre of Frankfurt) will play Benedict Bumbercatch, Fabrizio Matteini (Medici – Masters of Florence Netflix, La Strada West End) will play Dame Foreign, Gabriel Paul (Windfall Southwark Playhouse, Macbeth Leeds Playhouse, The Play That Goes Wrong West End & UK Tours) will play John Constable, Aliya Roberts (Singapore Lyric Opera, Oak3Films and Mediacorp) will play Zara Foreign, and Amanda Vilanova (Fox Old Red Lion, Closer Vienna English Theatre) will play Visa the Cow.
The production will open in preview on 3 October and run until 28 October, with a press night on 5 October. Tickets are on sale now from www.boldtheatre.com
You’re starring in The Foreigners’ Panto what can you tell us about the show?
The Foreigners Panto is a fun, silly and insightful political musical comedy, a sharp satire on the lives of immigrants in the UK – told through their eyes.
A group of immigrants are attempting to put on their version of a traditional British panto. We have some of the usual suspects- The Dame, The Villain and even the cow, as well as some not so usual others.
What was it about Shani Erez’ political comedy with songs that made you want to be part of this production?
It’s an original score, it’s funny, it’s both a panto and not a panto- the likes of which I’ve never seen before and they’re letting me play a “panto” Villain… So… How could I not?
They have an amazing creative team at Bold Theatre and it’s a very exciting new space. I’ve worked with Shani before, we work really well together and I am grateful I have the opportunity to do it again.
Panto’s are so unique to British culture, why do you think it’s the perfect way to explore the experience of immigrants?
I could be wrong, I’m not sure, but I think it’s the immigrants that are exploring the “Panto” experience…. No? Oh yes it is…
Panto’s are a joy for everyone young and old, they’re fun , they’re silly and they don’t take themselves too seriously, which I think sets it up to be a great way to explore the immigrant experience through the eyes of the immigrants, written by an Immigrant (Shani Erez) based on her own experience of facing deportation from the UK.
And tell us a little bit more about the cast, who are all first and second generation immigrants?
Sarah, Shani and Marianne, three of the bold associates at the helm of this project have put together an incredible cast of players. We have SUZY KOHANE, playing Benedict Bumbercatch, FABRIZIO MATTEINI as Dame Foreign, GABRIEL PAUL as John Constable, ALIYA ROBERTS will be playing Zara Foreign and we have AMANDA VILANOVA as Visa (The Cow).
What do you think will be the biggest challenge in staging this production?
Having too much fun? Is that possible? I Suppose The villain in a panto is quite a bit of a challenge. It’s a kind of fine line between the audience both liking you and not liking you, they’ve got to love to hate you and I think with the help of Shani, Sarah and Marianne we’ll find it.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see The Foreigners’ Panto?
DO IT! Do it now! Tickets are on sale and after the show “Lets have a drink”
