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 7th January
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