Rob Forknall
the Dame
“In ‘Aladdin’, it’s very obviously the Dame Widow Twankey (Robert Forknall) who steals the show; with each costume more ridiculous than the last, a sarcastic, drawling delivery alongside huge amounts of energy, he really does deserve his status as one of the best Dames in the country.”
THE STAGE
There’s nothing like this Dame. Oh no there isn’t.
A great Dame makes for a truly great pantomime. Emerging from the travesti tradition of theatrical cross-dressing in the early 19th century, Dames have become a popular pantomime staple, adored by audiences of all ages.
Rob has been playing Dame for over three decades, delighting audiences across the UK.
Bawdy and bonkers, sassy and smart, Rob’s Dame lights up the stage with charisma, charm and razor sharp comic timing.
A Dame out-of-the-box, Rob supplies all his own costumes and make-up for his annual pantomime runs. And he’s just as happy to put on the slap and padding at any other time of the year, for private or corporate entertainment.
Rob is a Dame at the top of her game. Get in touch to book Rob for your pantomime season. Oh yes you should.
Gallery
“The question of how to keep the traditional Aladdin pantomime so popular and fresh has been answered by Robert Forknall. While this version is complete with all the traditional skits, plot twists, innuendos and pop culture references, Forknall’s Widow Twankey is played with a dry sense of humour, and a general disdain for his antics as well as his audience. Reining in the out and out buffoonery and delivering a mixture of sass and endearing charm, he carries the show.”
THE STAGE
Contact
Please direct all Dame pantomime enquiries to:
Esta Charkham Associates
16 British Grove
London W4 2NL
t. 020 8741 2843
e. esta@charkham.net
www.charkham.net
Credits
2018 JACK AND THE BEANSTALK – Kings Langley – Act One Pantomimes – Sarah Trott
2017 SLEEPING BEAUTY – The Woodville, Gravesend – Those Magic Beans –Nanny
2016 SNOW WHITE AND THE 7 DWARVES – Rotherham Civic – Shone – Dame Dolly
2015 JACK AND THE BEANSTALK – Kettering Lighthouse – Jordan – Cookie
2014 ALADDIN– Rickmansworth – PHA – Twanky
2013 DICK WHITTINGTON – Hazlitt Arts Centre, Maidstone – Blue Genie – Director
2012 CINDERELLA – Hazlitt Arts Centre, Maidstone/Playhouse, Whitley Bay- Blue Genie – Director
2011 SNOW WHITE AND THE 7 DWARVES – Dorking Halls – Enchanted – Wicked Queen/Director
2010 JACK AND THE BEANSTALK – Playhouse, Whitley Bay – New World – Director
2009 ALADDIN– Pavilion, Worthing – Hammond- Dame/Company Manager
2008 JACK AND THE BEANSTALK – Victoria Halifax – Hammond – Dame/Director
2007 ALADDIN– Worthing Pavilion – Hammond – Dame/Director
2006 SNOW WHITE AND THE 7 DWARVES – Dubai – Hammond – Dame/Director
2005 JACK AND THE BEANSTALK – Flambards, Cornwall – Hammond – Dame/Director
2004 SNOW WHITE AND THE 7 DWARVES – Cresset, Peterborough – Hammond – Dame/Assistant director/Company Manager
2003 PETER PAN – Worthing Pavilion – Hammond- Dame/Director
2002 ALADDIN– Victoria Halifax – Hammond- Dame/Company Manager
2001 PETER PAN – Central Theatre, Chatham – Hammond- Dame/Company Manager
2000 ALADDIN– Central Theatre, Chatham – Hammond – Dame/Company Manager
1999 ALADDIN– Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone – Hammond- Dame
1998 DICK WHITTINGTON – Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks – Hammond – Dame
1997 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST – Glasgow Bearsden – Changeling -Dame/director
1996 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST – Fareham – Spillers
Other Directing Credits
2011 ALADDIN – Hazlitt Arts Centre, Maidstone – Blue Genie
2010 SNOW WHITE – Hazlitt Arts Centre, Maidstone – New World
2009 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST – Hazlitt Arts Centre, Maidstone – New World
2006 SNOW WHITE – Victoria Halifax – Hammond
2002 DICK WHITTINGTON, Central Theatre, Chatham – Hammond
1991-2002 Dame and directing community pantomime around village halls, schools & prisons