Giant Robot takes Centre Stage to Promote Pantomime

Jul 4 2008 by Barbara Hodgson, The Journal

HE’S ready to show his mettle on stage with a performance head and shoulders above the rest of the cast.

The surprise star of this year’s pantomime at Newcastle Theatre Royal was unveiled yesterday as an 8ft tall walking, talking robotic marvel.

Titan caused quite a stir in the city centre during his visit to promote Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates, as visiting schoolchildren ran screaming before he won them over with a walkabout and a couple of songs.

One pupil from Carr Hill Primary School in Gateshead, 10-year-old Leanne Richardson, said: “I thought he was fantastic – and scary because he chased me.” Cloe Munro, aged nine, added: “He was quite scary – but really nice.”

The mere mortals making up the rest of the cast – including panto regulars Clive Webb and Danny Adams – hardly got a look in.

Titan will be their “secret weapon” in the panto, which adds a magical map and Newcastle twist to the Crusoe tale, and sees the return of 3D special effects.

While the smooth operator – built by Cyberstein Robots to include 200 lights and on-board sound effects – may not be able to transform himself like his movie counterparts, he has performed all over the world and can be programmed to speak several languages.

This time he could well adopt a Geordie accent, says Wallsend-born Michael Harrison, who has written, produced and directed the theatre’s panto for the past four years, teaming up with father and son Clive and Danny, who this time play Captain and Robinson Crusoe.

And he promises Titan will play a far bigger role than last year’s Daleks – who were under a restrictive BBC contract – and have a fair share of local gags.

He’ll also share the stage with Whitley Bay actor Phil Corbitt – who recently played Rick the builder in Coronation Street – as Blackheart The Pirate; Newcastle’s Chris Hayward as Dame Rita and Kathryn Rooney as The Magical Mermaid.

“He’s our secret weapon,” says Clive. “The pirates don’t stand a chance.”

Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates will run from December 2 until January 17.

Visit www.theatreroyal.co.uk or call 08448 112121.