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Stacey Solomon in Milton Keynes panto clipboard backlash | Stacey Solomon in Milton Keynes panto clipboard backlash |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Angry theatre-goers have slammed former X Factor finalist Stacey Solomon for reading lines from a clipboard on the opening day of a pantomime. | Angry theatre-goers have slammed former X Factor finalist Stacey Solomon for reading lines from a clipboard on the opening day of a pantomime. |
The singer appeared onstage clutching the sparkly stationery a day after returning from Australia. | The singer appeared onstage clutching the sparkly stationery a day after returning from Australia. |
But some panto fans were dismayed to see the east London-born entertainer reading lines during Thursday's matinee of Dick Whittington. | But some panto fans were dismayed to see the east London-born entertainer reading lines during Thursday's matinee of Dick Whittington. |
The producer said it was a "prompt" to ensure a smooth show. | The producer said it was a "prompt" to ensure a smooth show. |
Solomon, a regular on ITV's Loose Women, was cast in the part of Fairy Bowbells at Milton Keynes Theatre, alongside Eastenders' Samantha Womack and entertainer Kev Orkian. | Solomon, a regular on ITV's Loose Women, was cast in the part of Fairy Bowbells at Milton Keynes Theatre, alongside Eastenders' Samantha Womack and entertainer Kev Orkian. |
Read more on this and other stories from Buckinghamshire | Read more on this and other stories from Buckinghamshire |
Some audience members described her use of the clipboard as "a sham" and "embarrassing" although one said it "didn't make any difference". | Some audience members described her use of the clipboard as "a sham" and "embarrassing" although one said it "didn't make any difference". |
One member of the audience said it was "obvious she was reading at the beginning of the show," but added it "didn't make an iota of difference" to his enjoyment. | |
"In her other entrances I didn't see any signs of clipboards or anything else," he added. | "In her other entrances I didn't see any signs of clipboards or anything else," he added. |
Another suggested the part should have been given to someone who "had time to rehearse and didn't double-book work". | Another suggested the part should have been given to someone who "had time to rehearse and didn't double-book work". |
Christopher Marsh, a theatre company actor, described it as "disrespectful" and "unacceptable". | |
Paying audiences expected "professionalism", he wrote on Twitter. | Paying audiences expected "professionalism", he wrote on Twitter. |
Tickets for the pantomime cost on average between £14 and £35. | Tickets for the pantomime cost on average between £14 and £35. |
Solomon's representative told the Daily Mail she had not had time to learn her lines or rehearse with the rest of the cast because she had been co-hosting ITV's I'm A Celebrity Extra Camp in Australia. | Solomon's representative told the Daily Mail she had not had time to learn her lines or rehearse with the rest of the cast because she had been co-hosting ITV's I'm A Celebrity Extra Camp in Australia. |
Her agency has not yet replied to the BBC. | Her agency has not yet replied to the BBC. |
Pantomime producer Kevin Wood said: "Stacey chose to take to the stage having just returned from the jungle as she didn't want to disappoint her fans by not appearing in the show." | |
The script was a "prompt" to ensure the show ran smoothly, and she "should be applauded for her professionalism", he added. | The script was a "prompt" to ensure the show ran smoothly, and she "should be applauded for her professionalism", he added. |
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