Panto favourite Richard gets set to play the Dame as Fine Time Fontayne passes the baton

Fine Time Fontayne and Richard J Fletcher at the Coliseum

Oldham Coliseum Theatre’s 2019 pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, will see Richard J Fletcher step into the extravagant wardrobe of the Dame as Fine Time Fontayne passes the baton to his long-time co-star.  

Fine Time and Richard both joined the Coliseum pantomime family in 2008 for that year’s production of Aladdin, with Fine Time playing Widow Twankey and Richard playing Wishee Washee.

Returning each year in their respective roles as the Pantomime Dame and the Pantomime Comic, who is often the son of the Dame, they are beloved by Oldhamers of all ages and have become as much as part of the festive season as turkey sandwiches on Boxing Day. 

Fine Time said: “I decided last year that Cinderella would be my last Christmas as Dame, but to be able to hand over to someone that I admire and trust is making it easier for me to hang up my padding – top and bottom.

"I know that I’m leaving the Coliseum in very safe hands.

"With a long tradition dating back to Kenneth Alan Taylor and subsequent Dames no one has ever dropped the ball and I think that Richard – being a former member of Manchester City’s Youth squad – will kick the ball even higher.

"It’s like my son has become the daughter I never had.”

Richard J Fletcher is praised year on year for his boundless energy and skilful enticement of audience participation, both on and off stage.

At a recent cast visit to Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in nearby Royton he had patients and staff in fits of laughter as they shouted out his catchphrase from this year’s five-star production of Cinderella.

This year, Richard plays a multi-dimensional Buttons, with a heart-rendering ballad performance of Emeli Sande’s Clown as well as the usual jokes, slapstick and heel-clicking jumps.    

Currently performing as Pumpy Squeezepocket, one of the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella, Fine Time Fontayne has decided to hang up his wigs and dresses following the last performance of this year’s pantomime, having missed only one production in over ten years due to a broken ankle.

Fine Time is also the co-writer of Oldham’s annual festive spectacular and has written over 20 pantomimes at the Coliseum and in various theatres across the country.

With his wealth of knowledge and experience in the festive theatrical institution he will continue his role as pantomime co-writer, working on the script for Jack and the Beanstalk with Director of the pantomime and Acting Artistic Director of the Coliseum, Chris Lawson.

Jack and the Beanstalk runs until Saturday week, January 11 at Oldham Coliseum.

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