Gandalf cameo makes Corn Exchange panto magical

Sir Ian McKellen makes surprise ‘appearance’ at Corn Exchange panto

Sir Ian McKellen and Newbury comedian Adam Brown both made a surprise appearance at the opening night of the Corn Exchange panto on Friday.

Brown of Newbury comedy duo Plested and Brown, who is one of its regular panto performers but couldn't make this year's performance as he is currently filming The Hobbit in New Zealand with Sir Ian, sent an audio file to be included in the show.

His voice-over was a scripted piece, but his covering email said: ‘I hope you don't mind but I've added some extra bits, and got a friend involved...' Listening revealed Ian McKellen adding his distinguished voice to the panto fun.

The producers, Corn Exchange Newbury & Hiss & Boo, were amazed and thrilled.

‘When I first heard Sir Ian McKellen's voice I nearly fell off my seat', said The Corn Exchange's executive director Katy Griffiths. ‘Not only was it a great surprise but it was also very, very funny. The audience on opening night, couldn't believe it. We are very sad not to have Adam in our show this year, but to hear his voice from across the world is the next best thing and the added bonus of Sir Ian McKellen's involvement is one of those pieces of theatrical magic that come along all too rarely.'

NWN reviewer Eddie van der Walt said: 'It doesn't get more magical than Gandalf, so the excitement was palpable as the audience tried to work out whether the voice was indeed that of Sir Ian McKellen. But once he delivered the most memorable of Tolkien lines, "Thou shall not pass," there could be no doubt.

'Not being robbed of a tête-à-tête between Newbury's foremost panto duo was almost as nice, though, with Plested and Brown not letting the small detail of 11,000 miles stop them getting one over on each other.'

See Thursday's Newbury Weekly News for more details and a full review.