Performing Pooch Steals The Show In St Helens Theatre Royal’s Half Term Panto Wizard Of Oz!

St Helens Theatre Royal’s half term panto has opened to rave reviews and one of the stars of the show is Buddy – a two-year-old Jack Russell/Chihuahua/Yorkshire Terrier cross! Buddy, who hails from Northwich, makes his panto debut in Wizard of Oz playing Dorothy’s best pal Toto and, he has proved to be a real scene stealer and a real favourite with the audience!The Reviews Hub said: “In a whirl of firework banging, children booing and music blaring, little Toto keeps his cool and delights dog-lovers in the audience with his on stage presence.” His owner and trainer, Jema Leopold, explained: “Buddy is super excited to be playing the part of Toto at St Helens Theatre Royal. “He has performed at outdoor shows but this is his first time performing on stage. Buddy is a bundle of trouble and everyone always falls in love with him. “He has recently started learning agility and has really taken to it and he knows a few tricks too!”

Buddy has his own Instragram account so you can follow him at its_so_buddy. Headlining the cast was the former Eastenders’ actress Cheryl Fergison who was just hilarious as The Wicked Witch of the West. Cheryl, who played Heather Trott in the soap opera for many years, is a multi-talented performer who has starred in many stage and film productions and is a wonderful singer and musician. She has been receiving boos and hisses aplenty in her role as the cantankerous old witch with her scary cackle… Cheryl was joined on stage by the beautiful Charlotte Gallagher (Snow White and Peter Pan) who plays Dorothy, the brilliant Phillip MCGuiness as the Tinman, loveable Simon Foster as the cowardly Lion, hilarious Liam Mellor as the scatty Scarecrow and Radio City 2 – 105.9FM’s Claire Simmo as Glinda the Good Witch.

Chantelle Nolan, Theatre Manager said: “We are delighted with the response we have had to our half term panto– the audience have loved it and have really been getting into the spirit of things, booing and hissing and joining in all the songs. And Buddy has been so well behaved – everyone has fallen in love with him!

REVIEWS

“Regal Entertainments provide a wonderfully wicked medley of magic, villains and lots of giggles in St. Helens Theatre Royal this half term.” The Reviews Hub

“Full of energetic dance, fun story-telling, slapstick and bawdy humour, the action ticked along – providing two hours 20 minutes’ value-for-money entertainment.” St Helens Star

“From high-energy show tunes with brilliant choreography and acrobatics, to the best behaving Toto we’ve ever seen! Ellie picked up some of the more adult-orientated gags (which had me full on laughing) while Cleo was giggling away at the slapstick falling over and fart jokes!” The Guide

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