Panto Review: JACK AND THE BEANSTALK - PANTODROME, TIMES SQUARE, NEWCASTLE

Having never attended a pantomime in a pop up theatre, I was slightly unsure as to the experience I was about to encounter, but after entering this purpose-built structure it soon became clear that it was well designed and thought out. Toilets are clean and more like a hotel, seats have ample room and are comfortable and most importantly it was warm. But of course, the venue is only part of it. Would the panto hit the spot? Oh yes it did!

Opening with the perfectly evil Fleshcreep, Stephen Sullivan, to set the scene we also meet Karleigh Wright as Mother Nature. You certainly wouldn’t have guessed that she only stepped up to the role the day before the press night. The audience instantly warmed to her feisty and energetic performance and she definitely owns this role.

Daniel Mawston as Dame Patsy Trot is dazzling and owns the stage at every entrance. The diminutive King, Daniel Hope, makes the most of the role milking his stature. It is rare that I will laugh out loud at a panto, but Simple Simon, Sam Glen, with his jokes coming thick and fast, it was hard to catch up with them all. The pairing of Sam Glen and Adam Thomas as Jack works brilliantly. With plenty of references to Emmerdale and I’m a Celebrity, Adam makes the most of his past ventures and proves he is equally talented in acting and singing. They also make the most of being based in Newcastle with plenty of Geordie references and that fact that Adam Thomas isn’t from round here.

Yes there were moments where things didn’t go quite to plan, the car missing its turning point and needing help to manoeuvre round the scenery and the odd loss of lines, but the cast handled it all brilliantly with adlibbing and laughter. The laughter and smiles on their faces showed not only were the cast having a fantastic time, they were relishing the opportunity it gave them. I have never seen a cast enjoy themselves so much and this spilled out into the audience ensuring everyone left with a huge smile on their face.

With plenty of jokes for young and old, the time just flew by and I am already looking forward to Cinderella in 2018.

Runs until Saturday 30^th December

Panto Review - CINDERELLA - PLAYHOUSE, WHITLEY BAY

The pantomime at The Playhouse, Whitley Bay has now become a traditional part of the Christmas festivities for many, and it is not hard to see why, especially with the talented Steve Walls at the helm it is as slick a pantomime as you will see this season.

This year it is one of the most traditional pantomimes in Cinderella, with all the glitz and glamour of a large scale show, but retaining the charm and elegance ideal for a smaller theatre.   There are strong vocal performances throughout

Jessica Pease makes the perfect Cinderella, she is enchanting throughout. The bond between Prince Charming, Ray Quinn, and Dandini, Ben Hanson, is brialliant and brings with it a completely different style of humour to that of Steve Walls. The Ugly Sisters, better known as Double Trouble, Mercedes, Damian Patton, and Porsche, Tom Rolfe, and an absolute delight. Bright and colourful, full of humour, the baddies you just love to hate.

The whole show is held together by Steve Walls, this year playing Buttons. His rapport with the audience is a masterclass as the one liners come thick and fast with plenty for the adults as well as the children. The line up is competently completed with Baron Hardup, David Burton and the Fairy Godmother, Emily Fletcher. There are strong vocals throughout, especially as would be expected from Ray Quinn.

You would think the Ghostbusters scene, repeated each year, would lose its appeal, but it in fact just gets better and was obviously eagerly anticipated by the audience made up of school groups, it was almost as if the children had been part of the rehearsals they were so quick and in unison with their responses.

Highlights apart from the Ghostbusters scene included the kitchen scene with the Ugly Sisters following the instructions on the radio and the scene where they fit in as many songs as possible in a couple of minutes.

If the Whitley Bay panto isn’t part of your Christmas traditions, I highly recommend that it should be.

Runs until Sunday 7^th January

Review: ALICE IN WONDERLAND - NORTHERN STAGE

Review of Alice in Wonderland - Northern Stage

Alice in Wonderland at Northern Stage - credit Pamela Raith Photography

Alice in Wonderland is one of those stories where we all know bits of either Alice in Wonderland or Alice through the Looking Glass it’s completely bizarre and is perfect for the stage. In this version written by Theresa Heskins we see Alice aged exactly 11 and a half living with her family on a boat. When they run out of food they send Alice off to do card tricks for money, where she meets the Great Blanco, who steals her cards. Alice chases him to a theatre and falls down a trap door discovering the crazy psychedelic world of wonderland.

The transformation of the theatre for this production is amazing. Creating a space to play in the round by taking the back wall out of Stage 1 and opening up into Stage 2. The central stage, surrounded by cabaret seating, has numerous trap doors, with ramps leading down into the auditorium, bringing the action right into the audience.

Laura Riseborough as the Red Queen - credit Pamela Raith Photography

Alex Tahnee who plays Alice is full on energy and an absolute delight to watch, she captures the innocence of a child on an adventure perfectly and has the audience entranced. Laura Riseborough is perfectly wicked as the Red Queen and Clara Darcy’s Cheshire Cat is marvellously created. As well singing and dancing the cast also make up the musicians under the expert direction of Jeremy Bradfield who also plays the Dormouse. The cast is well supported by the ensemble made up of students from Newcastle College.

Clara Darcy as the Cheshire Cat - credit Pamela Raith Photography

This is a fast-paced show which is as much for the adults as for the children. If you don’t have children to take with you but want to relive the magic of childhood, then this is the Christmas show for you.

Theatre Preview - SEATON DELAVAL PANTOMIME SOCIETY - DICK WHITTINGTON

45 years of Panto magic!

Talented cast members from a local Pantomime Society are gearing up for a magical pantomime adventure this December as they celebrate forty five years of their group. The Seaton Delaval Pantomime Society have performed an annual show in the village every single year since their very first production in 1973. Times have changed in the last forty five years, but the company continue to do what they set out all those years ago, producing a traditional family Pantomime for the local community to enjoy. To celebrate the milestone they are putting on a special production of Dick Whittington this December at the Seaton Delaval Arts Centre.

Dick and his magical feline friend take on an enchanting adventure as they run away to London to seek fame and fortune. But it won’t be plain sailing with the dastardly King Rat out to thwart him at every turn. With some help from good friends including Sarah the Cook and Idle Jack, will Dick win the day? The show is packed full of show-stopping songs, dazzling dance routines and hilarious knockabout comedy with bags of audience participation and fun. The cast, made up of young and old from the local area, have been rehearsing for the show since September, learning words and complex dance routines ready for the festive extravaganza.

Stu Bennett, Chairman of the society said: “It’s truly amazing to think our society is still thriving after all these years. Our team work incredibly hard to give people a chance to tread the boards for the first time and of course provide quality entertainment to the whole community. We can’t wait to celebrate our anniversary in style with this fantastic production.”

The show takes place nightly from Friday 1st to Saturday 9th December at the Seaton Delaval Arts Centre. Performances take place nightly at 7.00pm with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 1.00pm. Tickets are priced at £10.00 for full price, £9.00 for concessions and £34.00 for a family ticket, available from the Box Office on 0191 237 5460 or book online at www.seatondelavalartscentre.com.

Theatre Review - THE TERMINAL VELOCITY OF SNOWFLAKES - LIVE THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

Review of The Terminal Velocity of Snowflakes

Written by Nina Berry

Directed by Graeme Thompson

Cast – Daniel Watson and Heather Carroll

Live Theatre

Broad Chare, Quayside,

Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3DQ

Wednesday 22^nd November 2017 - Saturday 16^th December 2017

Having missed Nina Berry’s debut full length play The Terminal Velocity of Snowflakes first time round I was delighted that it was to get another outing at The Live Theatre. Entering the studio theatre space was like walking into a winter wonderland, pure white the length and height of the performance area with giant snowflakes in the sky. The minimalist set shows the strength of the writing from Nina Berry which carries the play through the 2 characters of Rosie, Heather Carroll and Charlie, Daniel Watson.

We first see them meeting when Charlie is 9 and Rosie is 7. Charlie with his ill-fitting woollen hat and Rosie in a bright yellow coat, an awkward meeting in which they connect. They don’t meet again until Charlie is 16 and Rosie is 14. We then follow their different lives through monologues as Rosie leaves the North and goes to London where Charlie remains in Newcastle. When they meet for the third time they finally get together which sees the intensity increase as their journey takes us on the possibilities of their future jumping around in time, before eventually returning to their original meeting with the possibility of a different outcome.

The journey is intense at times with incredibly captivating performances from Heather Carroll and Daniel Watson. I would certainly recommend looking out for Nina Berry’s plays in the future.