Anyone who has been to see Big Dick Whittington, will have noticed that there is an additional cast member in the programme. Vincent Hayes, who was due to play Ship’s Mate, Issey Goode, alongside Paul James, Ship’s Captain, had to pull out of the role during rehearsals. Paul James stepped up to take the helm in the New Years Eve show, and his “partner in crime”, Paul Harris (the other half of BBC Radio Kent’s Two Pauls), was asked to come in to take over Vincent’s job of Directing and Producing the panto.

Paul Harris worked in close collaboration with Paul James, Zara Kattan and the rest of the team, who had to do some quick thinking about who could ever hope to replace Vincent as Issey Goode.  They knew they would have to do something completely different and decided to give Hayley-Jo Whitney a call.  Hayley-Jo is a comedy actress, well known to Brick Lane Music Hall audiences for her appearances in such shows as Divas and Oo La La. With the programme already at the printers and opening night only a few days away, Hayley-Jo gamely stepped in.

Vincent was soon ready to come back into the show, but Hayley-Jo proved to be such a success in the role of Issey,  that she was asked to stay for the whole of the run and they found Vincent another part!

A special thanks and congratulations to the whole cast and production team for making sure Big Dick Whittington has been such a successful and enjoyable pantomome. And also thanks to our audiences for their whole-hearted support along the way. Big Dick Whittington ends March 8th.