I have just tried booking tickets for the only panto my kids loved - then my nephew and now I have my grandson who would love the fun of this locally produced show. I have just emailed Mr Meredith direct as cannot find how to book for this years panto. He replied immediately explaining he no longer was doing this. I then read comments to what has happened and so disapppointed by comments! Firstly the whole point of the local panto is the fun, the fact it is a local show for local people, not expensive to take all your family and yes not always polished but what do you expect for the price?? thats what was the fun, not the polished Manchester city centre top over rated priced shows that play to teh adults. Mr Meredith kept the panto the way it always was... should be the sillyness the some times mistakes made it soo so funny. I wa so looking forward to taking my 3 year old grandson to this but not now, as too difficult to book and too disgusted that they have discarded a man who gave 18 years to the theatre and 18 years of memories to families like mine. Mr Meredith used to even take the bookings himself! And will never forget him finding me front row seats for my nephew who when got there cried as did not want to be near the baddie!!LOL (now 13)So thank you Mr Meredith you gave me and my family so many happy years . hope you get back what is rightfully your panto!!!!

   Each christmas I visit my daughter and family in St Albans For the last two years we took our grandchildren to the pantomime in Welwyn Garden City.That same production team are now booked to put on the next pantomime at Rochdales Gracy Fields Theater.My Loss ,Rochdales gain ,their pantomimes are great The children loved it and wanted to go and see the last one again the day after. Alan S of Bury

   I have just submitted a comment and want to add that I have just discovered that I have seen the show coming to the Gracie Fields this Friday at two other venues Stockport Plaza and the Oldham Coliseum over the last three years. Michael Courtney is the producer and he sings like Michael Ball and is very funny ---if this is the same person producing the panto (I don't know if it is) then Rochdale you are in for a fantastic treat--can anyone find out for me please and let me know by posting on this site?? I am still going on Friday!

   I honestly cannot see what all the fuss is about! I take my children to panto every year and the fact that Colin Meredith is no longer producing it does not have any bearing on whether I take my kids again. I wasn't keen on last years panto of Cinderella -- it seemed to lack sparkle and the script seemed to be a bit tired--- a re hash of all the others in previous years. Some of the comments on here seem a bit political to me--I cannot see it being a problem having a different producer -- after all there are tons of different panto producers around this country. The new producers might already intend to use some locals so I think people are jumping the gun. As I like West End musicals and live music I'll go and see their show mentioned on a previous post on Friday 4th April at the Gracie Fields theatre and judge them for myself.

   I have been taking my family to see Rochdale panto for as long as I can remember, and our Christmas will definitely not be the same without it. The production has always been excellent, and I much prefer it to the pantomimes I have seen in Manchester and elsewhere. My daughter loves the panto so much she always has to see it twice! At last years pantomime, the only complaint I had was the lack of icecreams and drinks. However, I was informed that Meredith productions were no longer in charge of refreshments, as the new theatre management had taken it over. I think this says it all! I think the person who made this terrible decision should have done their research first - Rochdale panto has a lot of local support. It is such a shame that this has happened to a local company and I won't be attending any other pantomime at GF.

   I'd like to hope that a performance at ANY theatre was put on because of it's merits, not because it's been done that way for years. Mr Meredith should be grateful that he's had 18 years regular work, not spiteful that he has maybe lost out to a better proposition.

   As a newcomer to the Rochdale area I took my 2 children to see Cinderella at the Gracie Fields Theatre. The anticipation of 2 happy little faces (4 + 6 yrs) is always something to look forward too. I can't tell you how disappointed I was. The sets were awful the script was boring the music was to say the least patchy. It seemed to me that here was a show on it's last legs. I have been to my children's Christmas show and have had more entertainment. My youngest asked on no less than 3 occasions if we could go, my eldest just continued to sleep on the chair ! As for Mr Meredith he looked and acted totally disinterested on the performance we saw, not even raising a smile at the curtain call. From what I saw I think Rochdale deserves better and I don't see the problem of having a NON local to do the job. Panto is for the kids and politics should not be involved. I for one will give the new guys a go this year, after all it can't be as bad as the show I saw this Christmas gone!

   oh what a shame colin has had it easy for a long time his shows have become tired and lazy.he does not own rochdale.fresh blood will be good for the town.bring back paul oldham.

   I have been going to the pantomime for over 14 years now with family and friends at the Gracie Fields Theatre. We all agreed that the last three years pantomimes (particularly last year!) have been drab and boring and costumes not very impressive and to prove a point went to another pantomime in Manchester as well last year which was far superior in absolutely every way---sorry Colin!!. I have seen the new Lincoln production companies other shows over the last 4 years and they are just really fantastic, one of which is coming to the Gracie Fields on Friday 4th April-- they have been nominated the 2008 'Producer Of The Year' --- which says it all. Rather than be negative that change has taken place (as it nearly always does with most things in life) we should give them a chance. There is bound to be sour grapes from a few of Colins family and friends after 18 years as seen on here---however as an independent theatre goer I can understand the managements desire to call for change and a whole new fresh approach----and I think Rochdale is extremely lucky to be getting one of the officially recognised best producers in the UK. I for one will definitely be going to the pantomime at Gracie Fields at the end of the year!!!

   I am outraged by this news. For years I have been coming to watch the panto and it has allways been a very enjoyable traditional part of christmas, I have a younger brother who attends Colins drama school and he was also very upset in finding out the news.

I do hope Colin is able to produce the panto this year again, because I know many people who love the production every year and come from considerable didstances to watch it!

In my opinion Colin has the most knowledge about the theatre its self and the people that come year in year out to watch.

It will be a great shame if the panto does not show at the fantatstic gracie fields theatre, but I will not coming to watch any other company there as I will be sticking to my roots and following Colin wherever he takes his production.

I strongly advise the person who has taken this descion to axe Meredith Productions to reconsider.

   I can't believe this has been allowed to happen to a local family company who have worked so hard over the years. I have taken my family to see almost every pantomime that Colin Meredith has produced. We all prefer our local pantomime to any that we have seen elsewhere, including those in Manchester. It is a traditional family pantomime and the local jokes are what makes it so special. I completely agree with the first comment, that Rochdale panto is a LOCAL panto. Lincoln is definitely not local and I will definitely not be attending this new pantomime, as it could never be the same. Meredith Productions have a personal relationship with all of their patrons, and it's nice to speak to either Colin or his wife when I ring up to book tickets each year. I am extremely disappointed and urge the people of Rochdale to show their support for Meredith Productions. I hope another venue can be found, and i'm sure the panto will be as fantastic as always.

   apart from the friends of this guy who are clearly on a letter writing campaign- who really cares?

   I'm very disappointed to hear that the 2008 Meredith Productions Panto will not be taking place at GF theatre this year. Our family have been coming to see Colin's show for eight years,and bring a party of 8 with us. For the last three years I've even driven up from London for it. I won't be doing this for the new show. Can Colin put on his show in either Middleton or Heywood Civic halls?

   Oh what a sham! sorry I mean a shame.. Quality, or lack of, will out in the end unfortunately for you Mr Meredith. In my opinion Rochdale needs to wake up and look a little bit further than its own doorstep for signs of life and progression within 21st century. We should welcome diversity including those from as far afield as Lincoln! At least thats close to home, if you get my drift?

   I am a regular at the Rochdale Panto and our family usually takes at party of 8 every year.

The Rochdale Panto is a LOCAL panto - produced by and for local people. Lincoln is NOT local.

When I attended the 2007 panto it was obvious there was some friction between the panto as the visitors to the panto were not made to feel welcome by the management of the theatre.

Shame on the theatre management for allowing what should be our LOCAL and traditional panto to become something else instead!

By the way, as a regular to the ROCHDALE panto I do not agree to my contact details being past by Meredith Productions to the theatre management or the Lincoln based panto producers. Surely this would be against the Data Protection Act?

See you in Whitworth Colin - it should be a fantastic event as always!