John Mead

Archive Manager for a UK National Newspaper Group all views are my own

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

Day 12: The Grand Finale of #PantoChristmas!
We’re ending at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle in 2000 with the legendary John Inman.
Widely celebrated as the greatest Panto Dame of his era, seen here as the iconic Widow Twankey in ‘Aladdin.’
@mirrorpix

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

Day 11 of #PantoChristmas: Theatre Royal, St Helens, 2017!
Hometown hero Johnny Vegas (Magic Mirror) and Corrie’s Lucy-Jo Hudson (Snow White) team up for this ‘Snow White’ photocall!
A legendary run that brought some serious star power to @StHelensTheatre
@mirrorpix

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

Day 10 of #PantoChristmas: Manchester Opera House, 1978!
Absolute chaos during 'Dick Whittington' as a comedy dream team takes on a Bed of Nails!
Frank Carson ("It's a cracker!")
Basil Brush (Boom! Boom!)
Ronnie Coyle
All piled on top of strongman Barry Wall!
@mirrorpix

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

Day 9 of #PantoChristmas: Coventry Theatre, 1962! 🐱👢
A legendary comedy duo takes the stage for 'Puss in Boots'! Imagine the laughs behind the scenes with:
😂 Sid James
✨ Frankie Howerd
Two of the greatest funnymen in British history.
@mirrorpix

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

Day 8 of #PantoChristmas: Arts Theatre, London, 1950
Stepping back 75 years to a beautiful classic ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ 🕰️
Featuring a fantastic vintage lineup:
Michael Atkinson as The Beast
Jonathan Meddings as The Wizard
Judy Nimmo as the adorable Baby Dragon!
@mirrorpix

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

Day 7 of #PantoChristmas: Theatre Royal, Newcastle, 1972!
We’re going backstage for final rehearsals with the late, legendary Stanley Baxter in ‘Mother Goose.’
Known for his spectacular costumes and quick-fire wit, Baxter made this production a North East classic.
@mirrorpix

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

Day 6 of #PantoChristmas: Lewisham Concert Hall, 1977!
It’s a ‘Dad’s Army’ reunion in ‘Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood’! Check out this incredible lineup:
Bill Pertwee & Ian Lavender as The Robbers
Melvyn Hayes as Dame Trot
John Clegg as the Sheriff
@mirrorpix

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

Day 5 of #PantoChristmas: Birmingham Hippodrome, 1974!
It’s an ‘Aladdin’ photo-call featuring a star-studded Birmingham cast:
💅 The legendary Larry Grayson (Wishee Washee)
🎭 Alfred Marks OBE (Abanazar)
🌟 Dilys Watling (Aladdin)
@mirrorpix

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

Day 4 of #PantoChristmas: Manchester Opera House, 1972! 🧚✨
Relive the magic as pop icon Lulu takes flight in rehearsals for ‘Peter Pan.’
Joining her in the clouds is 13-year-old Manchester local Simon Thompson, playing Michael Darling!
@mirrorpix

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

Day 3 of #PantoChristmas: Manchester Palace, 1986
A legendary trio at the dress rehearsal for ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’:
Windsor Davies
Russ Abbot
Bella Emberg
A masterclass in Panto comedy! Who remembers seeing this iconic cast at the Palace Theatre?
@mirrorpix

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

Day 2 of our #PantoChristmas takes us to rehearsals for 'Emu in Pantoland
Georgina Moon as Sleeping Beauty
Barbara New as the Tea Lady
Carl Wayne (The Move) as Jack
Billy Dainty as Jack's Mother
Rod Hull and the legendary Emu!
Did you see this show at the Empire?
@mirrorpix

[Birmingham Archives & Collections @TheIronRoom]

#Birmingham #Panto Here’s the rather dashing Mr Paul Cinquevalli playing Fritz at the Prince of Wales Theatre, 1899. A popular act as a juggler in the English music halls. Ref: (513710) L 08.2 Periodicals D/11 - The Birmingham Pantomime annual, 1899 @LibraryofBham

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

On Day 1 of our #PantoChristmas, we’re heading back to Birmingham for this star-studded 'Cinderella'!
✨ Dame Anna Neagle as the Fairy Godmother
🕺 Lionel Blair directing & starring as Buttons
Who else remembers this magical run? 👇
@mirrorpix #Brum #TheatreHistory"

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

Get ready for a front-row seat to panto history
Starting today we’re bringing you 12 days of festive magic with a special series of iconic pantomime images from our archives From legendary Dames to classic principal boys stay tuned for a daily dose of Xmas nostalgia.
@mirrorpix

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

Sad to hear the news of the death of the author Jilly Cooper. Known for her raunchy novels also for her love of dogs and support for animal welfare charities. Seen here at home in 1982 with one of her dogs. Image taken by Mirror photographer Arthur Sidey. @mirrorpix #jillycooper

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

60 years ago today Thunderbirds aired for the first time on ATV blasting off from the Slough Trading Estate where it was filmed to destinations around the world. George Greenwell of The Mirror was invited to the studio shortly after the programme launched #mirrorpix #Thunderbirds

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

Daily Mirror cartoonist Philip Zec cartoon from the 15th Aug 1945 "And Now Let's Learn To Live Together!" A lesson that we still need to learn. Today we honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served, their bravery secured peace for generations to come #VJDay @mirrorpix

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

How the news of VJ day was reported at the time by some of the Reach titles. 80 years on we remember what we owe the veterans of the Far East campaign. They brought an end to the WWII. Lest we forget that many paid the ultimate sacrifice. #VJDay @mirrorpix

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

So sad to hear the news of the passing of Biddy Baxter. Editor of BBC's Blue Peter, who transformed the programme into a national institution. Seen here in the Blue Peter studio in January 1968. Thoughts and prayers with her family and friends #BiddyBaxter @mirrorpix

[John Mead @TMArchivist]

The two atomic detonations at Hiroshima & Nagasaki stand as lasting reminders not only of the immense human tragedy that unfolded but of the profound danger of nuclear weapons pose to humanity in todays fractured world The cartoon by Zec is as pertinent now as it was in 1945