Berwick Kaler

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Berwick Kaler
Born (1946-10-31) 31 October 1946
Sunderland, England
Nationality British
Occupation Actor, Writer, Director
Known for York Theatre Royal's annual pantomime

Berwick Kaler (born 1946) is a British actor most famous for playing the dame in York Theatre Royal's annual pantomime, which he also writes and directs. He has been awarded the freedom of the city, and in 2002 received an honorary degree from the University of York.[1] Having grown up in "the slums of Sunderland", Kaler left school at 15 to seek success on the London stage. He got taken on at Dreamland in Margate to learn his trade.[2] He has had TV roles in such shows as The New Statesman, Crocodile Shoes, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Spender as well as steady theatre work.[1] However, it is his role in the York pantomime that has won him the most acclaim.[3]

Many pantomimes in recent years have relied heavily on celebrity guest stars and risque humour. Kaler's pantos reject this and hark back to a more traditional form of pantomime. Kaler comments: "I want everyone to laugh at the same joke".[2] Kaler's central role in writing, producing and directing has led Dominic Cavendish of The Telegraph to call him the "panto's biggest asset and its biggest liability."[4] Kaler has assembled a cast of actors who regularly return to the panto.[2]

Towards the end of each pantomime at the Theatre Royal in York Berwick Kaler throws Wagon Wheels, as one might a Frisbee, to the audience, as well as handing out a bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale to a father seated in the stalls.

In November 2010 Kaler followed in the footsteps of actress Jean Alexander and TV presenter Harry Gration in switching on the Christmas lights in the village of Burn. In recognition of the village's Victorian market he dressed as Queen Victoria, something he often does in each pantomime. During the event, he was appointed Honorary Dame of Burn.[5]

In 2012, he was featured on the documentary Michael Grade's History of the Pantomime Dame, which also featured clips from the 2011 pantomime The York Family Robinson, a parody of the novel The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss. The program aired in December 2012 on BBC Four.[6]

Selected appearances

  • Michael Grade's History of the Pantomime Dame (2012) as himself.[7]
  • A Knight's Tale (2001) as Man in Stocks[8]
  • The Worst Witch (TV Series) (1998–1999) as Frank Blossom. Left after Series 2.
  • Jude (1996)
  • A Very British Coup as Smith
  • The Man With Two Heads (1972)
  • The Rats Are Coming, The Werewolves Are Here (1971)
  • Nightbirds (1970)[9]
  • Bloodthirsty Butchers (1970)
  • The Body Beneath (1970)[10][11][12]
  • Annie Get Your Gun (1986) as Foster Wilson and Chief Sitting Bull[13]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Actors, craftsmen, scholars, campaigners and leaders of industry to be honoured by York". University of York. 5 June 2002. Retrieved 11 March 2009.  Archived 11 March 2009.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Koenig, Rhona (30 December 2004). "Berwick Kaler: Grand old dame of York". London: University of York. Retrieved 11 March 2009.  Archived 11 March 2009.
  3. ↑ Rees, Jasper (14 December 2005). "Panto's merriest widow". London: The Times. Retrieved 26 April 2010.  Archived 11 March 2009.
  4. ↑ Cavendish, Dominic (5 January 2006). "When the star is the problem". London: The Telegraph. 
  5. ↑ "Panto dame Christmas lights switch-on! – District news – Selby Times". www.selbytimes.co.uk. Retrieved 27 November 2010. 
  6. ↑ "BBC Four Michael Grade's History of the Pantomime Dame". BBC. Retrieved 27 December 2012. 
  7. ↑ "BBC Four Michael Grade's History of the Pantomime Dame". BBC. Retrieved 27 December 2012. 
  8. ↑ "A Knight's Tale (2001) – Full cast and crew". www.imdb.com. Retrieved 27 November 2010. 
  9. ↑ "Nightbirds Story: Nightbirds Plot, Check out the plot and story details of the movie Nightbirds – Piczo Movies". movies.piczo.com. Retrieved 8 September 2009. 
  10. ↑ "Nightbirds: Nightbirds Movie Reviews, Nightbirds Reviews, Nightbirds Story, Plot, Cast, Photos, Wallpapers and Videos – Piczo Movies". movies.piczo.com. Retrieved 8 September 2009. 
  11. ↑ "Berwick Kaler Information, Photos, and Trivia at MovieTome". www.movietome.com. Retrieved 8 September 2009. 
  12. ↑ "Berwick Kaler". www.imdb.com. Retrieved 8 September 2009. 
  13. ↑ "First Night Records Online Store, Annie Get Your Gun – 1986 London Cast". first-night-records.co.uk. London, United Kingdom: First Night Records. Retrieved 3 June 2012. 

External links

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