Panto Review - RAPUNZEL - THE GEORGIAN THEATRE ROYAL, RICHMOND

 

I HAVE to admit, that every year, I especially look forward to the pantomime at The Georgian Theatre Royal, in Richmond. The panto here is very different to the glitz and glamour in the bigger theatres. This small intimate space gives the most incredible environment for a panto. This year Rapunzel, written by Nick O’Conner, who also plays the dame Desiree Spud, has created one of the best panto scripts I’ve seen.

The story begins with Detective Febreeze (Nigel Fyfe), searching for Jimmy ‘Prince’ Charming (Marcus Jones) who has been on the run. Jimmy takes refuge in Desiree Spud’s vegetarian Café. We find out that Desiree Spud’s daughter, Rapunzel (Rebecca Huish) was taken from her as a baby. The search for her begins with the help of Detective Febreeze, it turns out the evil Mother Gothel (Paige Rochelle) has taken Rapunzel and has been keeping her in the tower. This is probably one of the most in depths stories for a pantomime as many just lightly follow the stories.

The entire, hardworking, cast work well together, though the highlight must be Nick O’Connor, he appears so at ease with great comic timing and the audience feels as if they’ve been friends for years. Nick takes advantage of the intimate size and chats to members of the audience at appropriate times. The young company of three teams are full of energy and enthusiasm, not only through their dancing, but becoming an integral part to the cast.

Traditionally at Richmond you’ll also find knitted items, this time vegetables, to help save the day as well as the opportunity to catch a Tunnock’s Teacake.

Rapunzel runs until 7^th January at The Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond.

Panto Review - SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

 

SNOW White and the Seven Dwarfs burst into life at Darlington Hippodrome with the fairest panto of all the land and what a spectacular it is.

Snow White (Marina Lawrence-Mahrra) provides the innocence and charm with perfection. Providing Snow White with a wonderful Prince Gareth (Gareth Gates) It’s not a surprise that we’re treated with his singing, more of a surprise was from the reaction to the audience when he took his top off. The evilness, is Queen Dragonella (Jenny Ryan) as she tries to dispose of Snow White. Jenny from the TV quiz show The Chase, is used well with the theme music and a quiz. She certainly enjoyed receiving the reactions from the audience. Mrs Nelly Nightnurse (Jamie Jones) is full of glamour with a range of incredible costumes. The dwarfs as The Magnificent Seven (Jonny Weston, Eva-Theresa Chokarian, Will Keeler, James Lowrie, JB Maya, Logan McQuillan and Charlotte Northover) here they played on their knees, which must have been very uncomfortable, they do look effective, but there’s something that just doesn’t feel right. No panto can ever be without the funnyman, here as Muddles (Josh Benson). Josh is incredible, he holds the whole show together and works so hard through the whole performance.

The story has a few surprise twists, which makes it more interesting, especially for the adults. The first act finale has my young companions trying to work out how it really works, just enjoy the magical experience and take in that panto feeling. They also loved the show, with one claiming it’s the best she’s seen so far, loving Gareth Gates for obvious reasons. The sets have the most amazing ones I’ve seen this season so far.

Snow White has all the glitz and glamour you would expect from Darlington Hippodrome with so much more.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs runs until Sunday 31^st December.

Panto Review - CINDERELLA - PLAYHOUSE, WHITLEY BAY

 

Christmas only truly begins for me when I get to Blue Genie’s Panto at The Playhouse, Whitley Bay. That familiarity gives me that ‘coming home’ feeling as I settle into the comfortable seats and the anticipation builds for the curtain to open, this year for Cinderella.

Steve Walls, now in his 13^th year, is Buttons, this year! Steve has such a natural approach towards the audience, full of energy, plenty of jokes for all and clearly loving every minute he’s on stage. Also returning is Daniel Mawston, this time as Patsy Hardup, playing the evil sister, giving us all the chance to boo and hiss him for a change. His evil companion Luke Martin as Idena Hardup makes a great combination.  Just to change the story a little, Dandini doesn’t appear, instead having the double act of Keith and Ben Simmons as Nul and Void. It makes an excellent change and works well due to their comedic skills. The delightful Cinderella played by Jessica Lilley and Prince Charming played by Jacob Beresford keep the story moving along. Now the only person I’ve really missed out so far is the Fairy Godfather (Louie Spence). What can I really say. He twists and twirls onto stage, larger than life, he certainly lets us all know he’s there, adding that extra little bit of sparkle into Christmas. He also loves to add a touch of inuendo, which the adults loved, still keeping the show family friendly. He was certainly made for this role.

Some pantos don’t have much of a story and focus on the variety elements, here there is a good mix of a strong storyline with plenty of general variety from The Twelve Days of Christmas, Nul and Void’s magic and comedy and of course the headliner of the entire panto – The Bench. I’m surprised it doesn’t appear on the poster every year. The anticipation in the audience is incredible and they really did make the most of the entrance for The Bench. If you don’t know what it’s all about you really do need to see it.

The choreography from Jo Walls is outstanding, it’s very difficult to match it every year alongside a talented group of young dancers working as four different teams.

Highly entertaining, if you go once, you’ll find you can’t stop returning every year.

Runs until Saturday 6^th January at The Playhouse, Whitley Bay.

Panto Review - CINDERELLA - DURHAM GALA

 

ONE of the longer running pantos in the area at Durham Gala opened with all the glitter and sparkle you’d expect for Cinderella. There is nothing better as a panto opens, the lights going down, an explosion hitting the senses and even though you have the familiarity of the story, you have an expectation of something a little bit different full of surprises every time. Instantly I was taken to a different land and became engrossed throughout.

Opening with the locals in the village of No Place, Buttons (Jude Nelson) draws the audience in. Her comedy, magic and natural charisma instantly makes her a firm favourite to the audience, young and old. Although Buttons clearly likes Ella, this is much more subtle than you may have seen previously, which works so much better. Ella (Charlotte Bradley) is only referred to as Cinderella by the stepsisters Philophobia (Rosie Stancliffe), Monophobia (Sarah Boulter) and Ella’s stepmother, Lady Longbottom (Kris Manuel) as they add cinder to her name as she is always so dirty. As a trio for me they were too likable and not evil enough throughout. Ella is delightfully innocent, gentle and sweet, perfect for the younger audience. In this version Ella has a friend, in the form of an oversized mouse called Pipsqueak (Daniel Butcher) he loves cheese and as a result has the cheesiest jokes in the show.           

The Prince (Lewis Kennedy) and Dandini (Josh Betteridge) make a brilliant pairing during forest scene. Finally of course the show wouldn’t be complete without the Fairy Godmother (Jessica Brady) she really come into her own in the first act finale, what a voice.

The costumes, lighting, choreography and the live band make this an amazing panto for all the family, brilliantly written by Gary Kitching.

Durham Gala have done it again with their panto, running until 6^th January 2024.

Panto Review - PETER PAN - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Written by J.M. Barrie and adapted by Tom Whalley, Peter Pan tells the story of the Darling children travelling to Neverland in a typically silly pantomime format. With mermaid dance troops, singing pirates and revolting Lost Boys, you know you’re in for a fun show. It was a stroke of genius to have a Geordie Tribe with Princess Cheryl rather than Tiger Lily and her Tribe. With a delightful crocodile that guarantees a smile, this show is full of laughs.

 

Director Pamela Birleson created a fun and well-choreographed production that will make you smile. Great and unending applause go out to Musical Director Jonathan Goodman and Choreographer Julie Bowman for total perfection in music and dance that left the audience wanting more and tied nicely into the action. The sound quality was also excellent throughout the performance. The various dance troupes surprised and delighted at every opportunity. The whole company was phenomenal and made the show wondrous. In this production, Kate Davies-Tse as John Darling (also played by Amy Reid) and Martha Brown as Michael Darling (also played by Isaac Hamilton, Juliet Francesca Bone and Siersha Mason) were charming and brilliant portrayals of Wendy’s innocent brothers. Rhiannon Wilson as the jealous Geordie Tinker Bell had us all believing in fairies. While Joe Robson was a sprightly Peter Pan, bringing a lot of energy to the stage. Ryan Smith had the audience ‘hooked’ as the despicable Captain Hook. Craig Fairbairn was hilarious as Chief of the Geordies and Minnie Dobson was a pure delight as his daughter Princess Cheryl. Steve Robertson was very droll as the outrageous Dame Starkey/Mrs Darling. Luke Newey made Smee not just lovable and funny, but also brought the house down with his Act Two solo. As for Daisy Burden as Wendy, two words: ‘Star Quality’ - from the moment Daisy walked on stage it was obvious we were in the presence of great talent, a point confirmed undeniably when she sang; true magic.

 

It’s a panto, so we expect the expected “Oh yes we do”. However, the plot holes felt a little large at times and there were a few opportunities missed. Explaining when/how the Lost Boys were kidnapped would have been helpful, for example. Nevertheless, there are with plenty of jokes and the show overall is a great night out for young and old.

Peter Pan showing at People’s Theatre, until 17^th December 2023.

Theatre Review - THE WATCH HOUSE - LAURELS THEATRE, WHITLEY BAY

 

Aoife Kennan as Anne in The Watch House at Laurels Theatre in Whitley Bay.
Credit Topher McGrillis

It makes a change to see a play at this time of year, when I have several pantos to review over the next week. I for one couldn’t wait for this new play based on Robert Westall’s The Watch House. This was one of my favourite books as a child, so it was exciting to see how they would turn it into a stage production.

In the intimate venue of Laurels Theatre in Whitley Bay with a 50-seat theatre space, it was perfect for the atmosphere of this supernatural ghost story.

Donald McBride, Catherine Dryden and Aoife Kennan in The Watch House
at Laurels in Whitley Bay. Credit Topher McGrillis

The story is set in Tynemouth in the late 1970s. Anne has been sent to stay with Prudie and her brother Arthur, so her mother can return to London and sort out her divorce. Arthur looks after The Watch House and Anne becomes fascinated by the stories and artifacts as she is drawn deeper into the mysterious activities through the flickering lights, moving skulls and apparitions.

Donald McBride, well known to the North East, plays Arthur and Geordie, his voice is perfect for the roles, creating an incredible atmosphere. Aoife Kennan plays Anne, she brilliantly shows a range of emotions, from disappointment being dumped in Tynemouth and the boredom she faces, to unlocking the secrets of the past. Catherine Dryden, plays a number of parts. Firstly she appears as Anne’s mother, Fiona, then Prudie, before Da Souza, the local priest and the teenage boy, Timmo, the friend Anne meets at the church disco. Catherine switches swiftly between the characters showing a range of physicality and accents.

Catherine Dryden and Aoife Kennan in The Watch House at Laurels in Whitley Bay.
Credit Topher McGrillis

The simple set with a backdrop silhouetting scenes of Whitley Bay and Tynemouth with graves below, set the local scene ahead. A large wooden box ingeniously at its simplicist becomes the kitchen worktop / table, with the complexity of creating the display case in the museum of The Watch House, easily pulled into place.

The Watch House is one of the best performed ghost stories I’ve seen for many years. I’m sure this will not be the last time we will hear of The Watch House.

Runs until 23rd December at Laurels Theatre, Whitley Bay.

Panto Review - CINDERELLA A FAIRYTALE- NORTHERN STAGE, NEWCASTLE

Cinderella cast at Northern Stage - set design by Alison Ashton +
Lighting Design by John Rainsforth

Whatever your age, if you want to be swept away into a very fun fairytale, then this is definitely the production for you! Of course, you are familiar with the story of Cinderella, but writers Sally Cookson, Adam Peck and the Original Company breathe new exuberance into this well-known tale. Drawing mainly from The Grimm brothers’ version, the story is without a fairy Godmother, using instead birds to aid Ella in her plight. Our heroine is her own person, using her humour and love of nature to make her way in life. Think less ‘glass slipper’ and more ‘sparkly Doc Martins’. Directors Katy Weir and Jake Smith brought an enchanting forest-like world that draws you into its sweet and funny world.  The sound of birdsong and understated warm lighting gave a pleasant rustic feel. The set had simple wooden sculptures that looked like a dreamy tree house playground. I could have happily just sat on the set all day if it was allowed.

 

Katie Tranter, Evlyne Oyedokun + Charlie Venables

But don’t let the serene setting fool you. This show is an all singing, all dancing, side-splitting cacophony of delights. I strongly advise you to get there early to enjoy the pre-show antics as various ‘birds’ cause havoc in the auditorium. Audience participation is vital as seats are climbed over and light projectiles thrown. The Music (composed by Ziad Jabero) felt like folk-pop with elements of Madness and it drives the story on. Our Prince (Charlie Venables), a charmingly awkward bird watcher, meets Ella (Evlyne Oyedokun) when she shows him how to call her bird friends. Ella has a step sister (Peace Oseyenum) and step brother (David Fallon) who are equally hilarious in different ways. The Queen (Katie Tranter) is a caring, yet completely bizarre and magnificent; her mere appearance brought a smile. As to Ella’s stepmother (Zoe Lambert), she was a triumphantly mad addition to the already glittering cast. Footman (Aron de Casmaker) used so much physical comedy, and was such a crowd favourite, that I had to suppress a cheer at the sight of him. Apart from Ella and Prince, everyone in the cast doubled as a different ‘bird’, taking on their mannerisms to great comedic effect. The way the show ended (I will not spoil it for you) was the most fun I’ve had in a theatre - ever. It’s just a fantastically fun show from before its start, to its finish.

 

Peace Oseyenum as Sister and Zoe Lambert as Mother

A wonderfully wild production in more ways than one, Cinderella a Fairytale is showing at Northern Stage, runs until Saturday 6^th January 2024.