Theatre Review - THE REMARKABLE ROBIN ARMSTRONG'S EXTRAORDINARY CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE - QUEEN'S HALL, HEXHAM

 

Grandma and Robin played by Paula Penman and Jude Nelson
photographer credit is Jason Thompson, Sound Ideas Media

The Remarkable Robin Armstrong’s Extraordinary Christmas Adventure, is the Christmas production for The Queen’s Hall, Hexham with Alnwick Playhouse in a unique production written by Elijah Young and directed by Mark Calvert

Luke Maddison as Bograt
photographer credit is Jason Thompson, Sound Ideas Media

The first 10 minutes it felt very rushed as we met the cast with Robin Armstrong, Jude Nelson, her Mam, Hannah Goudie-Hunter, her Grandma, Paula Penman, The local bully, Declan, Luke Maddison and the mysterious figure in a red cloak, Callum Howard. There was so much information I was having to concentrate hard to follow every word, but it was clear that they needed to set up the scene ready for the adventure to begin. On Christmas Eve, Robin’s much-loved Grandma forgets who she is and Robin sets of on adventure into the mines to discover the magic to help her Grandma. Once the adventure began, wow, I was completely engrossed. The multi-level set was used ingeniously, Amy Watts – set and costume designer, as the cast slipped in and out swiftly through the mines. The magical creatures in the mine met by Robin on her adventure included the Bograt, Hob and the Trolls. Until meeting the Elderman, Calum Howard, and she eventually finding Lady Northumberlandia, Paula Penman. Robin finally discovers the magic she needed to save the day with kindness and friendship.  

This talented small group has created a perfect Christmas show for all the family, with great acting and singing.

Paula Penman as Grandma with Jude Nelson as Robin Armstrong
photographer credit is Jason Thompson, Sound Ideas Media

Theatre Review - THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, NORTHERN STAGE - ONLINE AND LIVE 28th - 31st DECEMBER

 

The Sorcerers Apprentice cast at Northern Stage
credit Pamela Raith Photography

Unfortunately, Northern Stage have had to cancel some performances due to cases of COVID-19 in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice company.

Cancelling shows is a last resort but keeping everyone safe is their top priority. Performances will be cancelled from Wednesday 15 December until Tuesday 28 December.

Tickets are still available for 8 performances from 28 - 31 December and for those who would prefer to watch online, there’s the Northern Stage at Home option so audiences can still enjoy some Christmas magic this year. https://www.northernstage.co.uk/Event/at-home-the-sorcerers-apprentice

All @NETheatre wish the company a speedy recovery and hope they will be back to The Sorcerer’s Apprentice soon.

Review of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

It’s always fantastic when a Christmas show comes along, as this makes a change to the usual pantos. The Northern Stage have a strong tradition of creating amazing Christmas shows and this year is no different.

Beth Crame plays Hatty in The Sorcerers Apprentice
Pamela Raith Photography

I was completely engrossed after the first few minutes as an ancient magical force was at work. I couldn’t believe it when the interval arrived, I hadn’t noticed the time at all.

Hatty Rabbit, Beth Crame is the 13^th child, born on Christmas Day. The story begins with Hatty at 13^, before the story of her life is recounted, before returning to her at 13. Alice Blundell brilliantly plays a number of parts including Hatty’s Mam, who dies after having the 13 children. Hatty ends up living with Aunt Primula Fudge, Heather Dutton, who is perfectly over the top. After sending Hatty away to school, where Alice Blundell reappears as the school teacher. Hatty becomes best friends with Evie Speak, Talia Nyathi. When she is 12 she receives a letter to invite her as an apprentice to the Sorcerer Hopkin Hopkins. Where the magic continues and she finds out all about her powers.

Patrick Munday, Rats puppet, Beth Cramer
credit Pamela Raith Photography

The villain in the story is Canopus Sly, Jessica Johnson, who is cool and classic with evilness you want to hate, but love as she hunts for the 13^th child. Of course, I can’t miss out Rats, Patrick Munday, brilliant puppetry throughout.

Jess Johnson in The Sorcerers Apprentice
Pamela Raith Photography

The set design is exceptional. But my highlight was the music from Katie Doherty absolute perfection.

This incredibly strong cast and crew are perfect for young and old for a Christmas treat.

Theatre Review - SLEEPING BEAUTY - THE PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Dust off your ‘He’s behind you’ and shake off your ‘Oh no he’s not’, it’s pantomime time again! The People’s Theatre brings you Sleeping Beauty by Tom Whalley, a show with all the classic pantomime tropes, a few new twists and all the stops pulled out! An all-singing, all-dancing, always-laughing spectacular of the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty.

Jonathan Goodman as Carabosse

Director Pamela Birleson was not sleeping on the job when she put together this fantastical world of magic and song, where the worst crime you can commit is to be from Sunderland… This pantomime is constantly drawing you in to new delights, be that young dancers, inventive use of modern music, old jokes, new jokes, older jokes or just the usual fun of shouting along with the show. Emily Jeffrey plays the innocent Princess Beauty, who just wants to get out into the world, and Rhiannon Wilson plays the hansom Prince Frederick as they sing some beautiful duets together. However, the curse placed on the Princess by the wonderfully-wicked Carabosse, played by the very talented Jonathan Goodman, aided by his henchman Radgie Gadgie, played by Daniel Magee, threatens to spoil everything. A warning here: Carabosse’s opening song in act two is so good it will almost make you forget to ‘boo’ him. Luckily, we have the wonderful, and very Geordie, ‘Fairy Canny’, performed with excellent timing and harmony by Emma Cockburn. As for Queen Sadie, Steve Robertson sets just the right balance of saucy and hilarious to keep the story moving. It’s the poor love-lorn Chester The Jester, played by Callum Mawston, who brings the show together with cheeky jokes, a great rapport with the audience and an unexpected but very welcome solo.

Emily Jeffrey as Princess Beauty with Callum Mawston as Chester the Jester

The simply-painted set designed by Kalia Moyers and flamboyant lighting designed by Xander Brouwer will instantly transport you to the glitter-filled dreams of a very fun panto. It’s a production that seems to know what matters most to its audience – including a broad variety of dances and dancers, all of whom fill the stage with their own brand of brilliance. This is a show for all ages and is guaranteed to bring some Christmas sparkle into your life. Wake up and get yourself over to the People’s Theatre to see Sleeping Beauty!

Steve Robertson as Queen Sadie

Running at the People’s Theatre 11^th-19^th December 2021

Theatre Review - SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS - PLAYHOUSE WHITLEY BAY

There are a number of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs around this year, but this is probably the most traditional of them all. Especially with Lucy Kane as the sweetest and most delightful Snow White, with voice to match. Not surprising as she is known by appearing in The Voice and of course is the real-life daughter of Linda Lusardi, who also plays the evil Queen Scowlalot.

The mainstay of this panto has been the comic Steve Walls, as Muddles this year and panto dame Daniel Mawston, as Patsy, they have a great rapport. The one liners are great every year, even if many of his lines are repeated every year. Steve is just so natural and the audience are engrossed within minutes of him entering the stage.  Daniel is just one of the most natural and perfect dames. I can’t forget one of the best panto dancers with Mary Proud who has become as much a part of the panto as Steve and Daniel.

Linda Lusardi looked as if she was relishing every minute in her wicked part. Andrew Mcleish as Prince Charming with excellent acting and singing throughout. I’ve often seen pantos where the singing just doesn’t hit the spot, especially during solos, but not here, everyone was spot on especially during the 1980s mega mix.

The dwarfs weren’t just the small addition, sometimes they can hardly appear, here they were fully involved and worked incredibly well.

With plenty of comedy for all ages and the expected slap stick panto additions of silliness and songs, this is amazing family fun. Oh I nearly forgot, yes the bench was back, how could it not be there.

Theatre Review - BONNIE AND FANNY'S CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR - LIVE THEATRE - NEWCASTLE

Photo Credit TJ Mov

This is a show like no other; it’s an energetic mix of lip-syncing, dance routines and side-splitting humour. Bonnie & Fanny’s Christmas Spectacular has been created by comedy troupe Your Aunt Fanny and drag trio Bonnie and The Bonnettes. It’s an exuberant production that throws you into the awkwardness, cliques, frustrations and (most importantly) the fun of an office party. After an email goes astray, all the ladies of ‘Gosforth Office floor two’ decide to break into the boss’s office to retrieve it, although some of them have their own agenda for breaking in. The second half opens with the consequences of the their plans from Act 1 and leaves the audience with aching sides as they each tell the tale from their point of view.

Photo Credit TJ Mov

The basic set, with silver streamers and fairy lights, teamed with party music, lets you know what kind of tacky and happy fun is about to begin. There were simple effective changes as people added a jacket or scarf to become side-characters which added to the comical nature of the show and complimented the other characters perfectly. This is in no way a criticism, but there is strong language in the show and a few lewd conversations; it’s always done with heart and humour. You’ll find yourself comparing the characters with people you know, like Penny (Brogan Gilbert) who plays the naive and largely useless newbie who can only understand the world through the frame of social media. Kim (Lydia Brickland), the typical middle manager who is all about pompous speeches, drives poor Lorraine (Hattie Eason) to the brink as she continues to work the night away. Oh, the power of a wheelie chair! Ivy (Matilda Neill) is the office mean-girl with looks that could shatter glass, as Holly (Katy Powell) is praised once again for her perfect buffet skills. We see an awkward flirtation between the fiery Carol (Jackie Edwards) and Stacey (Rebecca Glendenning), the joyful office DJ that will melt your heart. Then there is Lynne (Cameron Sharp), the most senior member of the team, who, with a mere flick of her hair, will have you in hysterics. To say the cast is strong is an understatement; the whole cast is a powerhouse of talent. Everyone gets great comedic lines, all the cast work so well as an ensemble, it feels like a real work-family.

This show will have you bouncing with joy in your seat as you sing along too. It is, without doubt, theatre to rejuvenate the soul – and is one of the best experiences it’s possible to have watching a show in a theatre. If you don’t feel the urge to clap along, cheer and smile, please check your pulse. I left the theatre thinking, ‘When can I see this again?’ Bonnie & Fanny’s Christmas Spectacular runs from 1^st-23^rd of December 2021 at the Live Theatre; see you there!

Photo Credit TJ Mov