Reviews

Reviews by year...
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2009

Aladdin, Bridlington: Spa Theatre

14 December 2009 to 03 January 2010

This year's pantomime in snowy Bridlington really is quite a tonic.

Mark Ritchie, The Stage - 22 December 2009

One of the genuine treats of the job of a light entertainment reviewer these days is watching Bernie Clifton at his very best. Described on the publicity as a comedy legend, Clifton is surely as gifted and imaginative a comedy entertainer as this country has ever produced. The compendium of daft prop gags and of course the famous running chicken ride routine are all tightly woven into the pantomime format in which Clifton is a master. Playing Wishee Washee, the younger members of the cast really must be learning so much from him… Read more...

Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, The Playhouse

14 December 2009 to 10 January 2010

There is no lack of laughter!

jeremy Brien, The Stage - 17 December 2009

Experienced scriptwriters Keith Simmons and Andrew Lynford have gone down the strictly knockabout pantomime route in telling a story that is sometimes presented as a traditional fairy tale with a strong moral message… Read more...

Cinderella, Catford: Broadway Theatre

12 December 2009 to 03 January 2010

Promises jokes, silliness, singing, dancing, fun...and that sums this panto up!

James Green, The Stage - 14 December 2009

The advance publicity promises jokes, silliness, dancing, fun, stunning sets and glittering costumes. That sums this panto up..… Read more...

Beauty and the Beast, Redhill: The Harlequin Theatre

11 December 2009 to 03 January 2010

A fine ensemble...fantastic

Graham Gurrin, The Stage - 14 December 2009

Linda Robson as Witch Hazel barely has to open her mouth to get the audience booing and hissing back. But the show is blessed with an extraordinary amount of comic talent. Nicholas Maude uses his whole body, not just his voice, to convey the smarmy village huntsman Gaston… Read more...

A playful and entertaining evening

Holly Thompson - 23 December 2009

The tale of a beautiful French woman falling in love with an ugly beast is one we have heard many times - but how does such a delicate love story translate to the camp and colourful world of panto?… Read more...

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Rickmansworth: Watersmeet

11 December 2009 to 03 January 2010

Kim Hartman's Wicked Queen excels

Scott Matthewman, The Stage - 21 December 2009

The importance of warming up a panto audience is highlighted by Rickmansworth's latest rendition of Snow White, where the first act played out to a crowd seemingly unable to give anything back to the onstage cast… Read more...

Well worth a visit...with or without the children

Neil Skinner, Watford Observer - 24 December 2009

Snow White and the Seven Dwards at Watersmeet is far from an original production; the jokes are well-worn and the story line known to all… Read more...

Peter Pan, Broxbourne: Civic Hall

10 December 2009 to 31 December 2009

Merrily rocking n rolling along.

Hugh Homan, The Stage - 16 December 2009

The problem with Amanda Noar's production (for Paul Holman Associates and the Borough of Broxbourne at the Civic Hall) is that is can't decide whether it's a play for children with music or a pantomime… Read more...

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Telford: Oakengates

10 December 2009 to 03 January 2010

A warm, colourful and enthusiastic show

Richard Edmonds, The Stage - 11 December 2009

The decibles soar as the kids flood in from the local schools, excitement is almost palpable and you brace yourself for an ear-splitting morning panto… Read more...

Panto fun a laugh for all - oh yes it is!

Wayne Beese, Shropshire Star - 11 December 2009

More than 600 school children cheered, jeered, clapped and sang their way through Telford's latest pantomime - and loved every minute… Read more...

Cinderella, Derby: Assembly Rooms

09 December 2009 to 10 January 2010

An altogether joyful show

Pat Ashworth, The Stage - 15 December 2009

Panto used to be a sterile experience at the Assembly Rooms, but it's bedded down beautifully now. The venue has grown an audience that knows what to expect and can't wait for the old familiar gags… Read more...

Born to be Buttons

Nick Brunger, WhatsOnStage - 16 December 2009

Neil Morrissey puts a real zip into his Buttons as the star of this traditional pantomime offering from the Derby Assembly Rooms… Read more...

Cinderella, Newark: Palace Theatre

09 December 2009 to 03 January 2010

A strong cast who put heart and soul into the story

Pat Ashworth, The Stage - 18 December 2009

I thought I'd heard all the panto gags, so hats off to the writers of this show for laments like, 'She was called Marinade. She left me overnight.' This is a jolly Cinderella, crystal clear and delivered by a strong cast who put heart and soul into the story… Read more...

Jack and the Beanstalk, Aylesbury: Civic Centre

08 December 2009 to 30 December 2009

A giant of a pantomime - and for once it proved to be no exaggeration!

Encore Magazine - 11 December 2009

The cover of the programme boldy describes the show as a Giant of a pantomime, and for once, it proved to be no exaggeration. Superb costumes combined with imaginative stage sets, paint the on-stage picture, but it is the characters who rise to the occasion. Seldom have I seen such a wellcast production with each player fitting their respective roles to perfection. It would be a tad unfair to hightlight any single one for they are all, collectively, excellent but nevertheless, standing out to me was the lovable Terry Gleed as a camp Simple Simon. A warm, funny and human performance that was a joy to behold… Read more...

Venue goes out on a high

Scott Matthewman, The Stage - 14 December 2009

Continued delays at Aylesbury's Waterside Theatre mean that the nearby Civic Centre is now on its third, and probably final 'last' performance before demolition. It certainly produced one enabling the venue to go out on a high… Read more...

Jack and the Beanstalk, Redditch: Palace Theatre

07 December 2009 to 03 January 2010

A Great Traditional Pantomime

Peta David, The Stage - 14 December 2009

A big hairy giant played by Phil Price puts this pantomime in a league of its own. More often than not you only hear the giant's booming voice from off stage so it makes a pleasant change to see him in person chasing around the stage. He stamps up and down doing his 'Fe fi fo fum' stuff, only to be put in his place by the gallant Jack (played by the diminutive Andy Steed) who slays the giant and rescues the princess played by Abigail Dever. Both Steed and Dever have pleasing singing voices and do justice to a number of popular songs through the show… Read more...

Jack is a true giant of a show

Andrew Powell - 18 December 2009

The Palace Theatre panto has been superb for a number of years, especially since the services of Paul Holman Assocaites were brought in… Read more...

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Leeds: Carriageworks

04 December 2009 to 09 January 2010

A smashing pantomime in every sense

Kevin Berry, The Stage - 09 December 2009

A smashing pantomime in every sense. Briskly paced, colourfully dressed, unfailingly funny and with ample opportunities for everyone to join in… Read more...

A quality festive family frolic

Rebecca Ryder, DIG Yorkshire - 07 January 2010

The Carriageworks can always be trusted to get fully into the swing of panto season, with a variety of famous faces appearing annually in their family-friendly productions. Locals have this year been treated to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, starring Emmerdale's Jean Rogers as the Wicked Queen, CBBC's Jez Edwards as Muddles, comedian Peter John as the Dame, and newcomer Victoria Holborn as Snow White… Read more...

This year's pantomime in snowy Bridlington really is quite a tonic.

Mark Ritchie, The Stage

22 December 2009

One of the genuine treats of the job of a light entertainment reviewer these days is watching Bernie Clifton at his very best. Described on the publicity as a comedy legend, Clifton is surely as gifted and imaginative a comedy entertainer as this country has ever produced. The compendium of daft prop gags and of course the famous running chicken ride routine are all tightly woven into the pantomime format in which Clifton is a master. Playing Wishee Washee, the younger members of the cast really must be learning so much from him.

As for the aforementioned younger members, both James Cohen as Aladdin and Vicky Hoyles as Princess Jasmine are simply top drawer singers and performers.

A tap dancing Widow Twankey, played by Simon Howe and industrious Chinese policeman, played by Nick Murphy and Adam Dougal augment Clifton's star turn admirably.

A big tick should also go to the very funny Lisa Hanman as the Genie. As part of the illusion act Renleah Experience, and along with partner Steve Bruus, who plays the Emperor, Hanman's skills as an all-rounder really are quite an asset.

With a band in the pit led by musical director Kevin Leach, some superb costumes, kimonos, fluttering fans and cripsy duck gags, as well as the well-choreographed dancers from the Collette Tyler School of Dance, this year's pantomime in snowy Bridlington really is quite a tonic.

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There is no lack of laughter!

jeremy Brien, The Stage

17 December 2009

Experienced scriptwriters Keith Simmons and Andrew Lynford have gone down the strictly knockabout pantomime route in telling a story that is sometimes presented as a traditional fairy tale with a strong moral message.

Inevitably a little of the magic is missing, but there is no lack of laughter from Peter Duncan's audience-friendly Muddles and Nick Wilton's well-upholstered Dame, a character by no means always included in this particular pantomime. Even bill topping Vicki Michelle plays the Wicked Queen entirley as a comic creation, although it must be admitted that if she isn't scary, the projection of virtual reality versions of Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee in the magic mirror scenes more than makes up for that.

So it is left to New Zealander Felcity Wright, making her British debut in the title, and the powerfully-voiced Jody Crosier, as her Prince, to at least hint at the storyline, especially in the stronger second half of the show. Two teams from a local school of dancing make a good impression as the seven dwarfs and, as always with a Paul Holman Associates show, the muscial production numbers are slick and the multiple costume changes spectacular.

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Promises jokes, silliness, singing, dancing, fun...and that sums this panto up!

James Green, The Stage

14 December 2009

The advance publicity promises jokes, silliness, dancing, fun, stunning sets and glittering costumes. That sums this panto up...

Throughout, the singing is commendable and in particular the voice of Pippa Duffy rings loud and clear. No wonder the Prince, played by Tom Yates, is happy to join Cinderella in romantic duets.

Catford has found a quality pair of Ugly Sisters in Oliver Gray and Dean Horner who have the stage names of Louise and Lavinia. Hence Loo and Lav. They dress in a succession of fashion disasters with wigs that defy gravity. Loo and Lav supply all the traditional 'Aren't we beautiful' cliches and join in the sketches. Once again that means the ghost-and-ghoulies and this year's ever present Twelve Days of Christmas nonsense routine.

Fairy Godmother Carol Harrison, ex-Eastenders actress and writer, enjoys herself with a few throw away lines, displays some of the magic of her wand, and is entirely at ease in promoting Cinders' romance and home life.

Maurice Thorogood as Baron Hardup catches the eye and holds the attention throughout. He is ever-ready to push the storyline along and since he is the director, sets a good standard for his cast.

Ever smiling TV presenter Ortis Deley is a likeable ball of confidence as Buttons. Apart from loving and losing Cinderella he delights in the routines, and the kids-on-stage convention. And when it comes to vocal fireworks the dandini of Ezra Tafari provides something special, as do all the adult and children dance teams.

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A fine ensemble...fantastic

Graham Gurrin, The Stage

14 December 2009

Linda Robson as Witch Hazel barely has to open her mouth to get the audience booing and hissing back. But the show is blessed with an extraordinary amount of comic talent. Nicholas Maude uses his whole body, not just his voice, to convey the smarmy village huntsman Gaston.

Jack Glanville (Pierre) has to work hard to get laughs out of the oldest gags in the book, but just about pulls it off. Herbie Adams does his best Mr Pastry for Professor Crackpot, and does it well. And the wonderful Christopher Marlowe performs Madame Fifi Camembert in ture pantomime style.

The show really does comes alive as the four of them take over the front of stage to sing a song about the reality TV stars they would like to be that works brilliantly and allows them to dispense with their first-night nerves.

Ben Palmer is good as the Count but even better as the Beast, with expressive movement and a marvellous singing voice. He is ably accompanied in duets by Abigail Welford as Beauty.

The singalong number is Spongebob Squarepants, but the children in the audience loved it. There is a strange interlude with the Woofamatic washing machine that doesn't seem to go anywhere, but the big production numbers and tableaux are done well, with good use of both the stage and of movement, thanks to a fine ensemble led by Benjamin Curtis and inventive choreography by Mark Hedges.

There is a fantastic finale, all black and white and sparkles.

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A playful and entertaining evening

Holly Thompson

23 December 2009

The tale of a beautiful French woman falling in love with an ugly beast is one we have heard many times - but how does such a delicate love story translate to the camp and colourful world of panto?

Well, very well actually.

Beauty and the Beast at The Harelquin had the entire audience up on its feet on its opening night.

Linda Robson, of Birds of a Feather fame, dazzles as Witch Hazel - the evil villain who transforms the arrogant Count into a Beast. She is forced to always talk in rhyme, which allows for many comic opportunities, and plays the villain well, encouraging boos and hisses en masse.

The leads, Abigail Welford who plays Beauty and Ben Palmer who plays the Beast, hold the performance togther well by singing popular hits by Leona Lewis and Westlife. And the dancers were brilliant at making the musical interludes exciting.

But it is Gaston (Nicholas Maude) and Professor Crackpot (Herbie Adams) who are the true stars of the show. Groin-thrusting Gaston, Beauty's admirer, captivates the audience with his strong clear voice and perfect comic timing. Whereas Professor Crackpot, Beauty's slightly senile father, has children laughing just from shuffling onto the stage with his manic eyebrows.

The performance is at its best when it deviates from the plot and becomes pure panto. Comic highlights include characters spitting water all over each other - to the shrieking delight of children - and a humorous interlude where Beauty's dog is shrunk in the Dog-o-matic washing machine.

The finale, a giant rendition of Spongebob Squarepats, where audience participation is demanded, is the perfect finishing touch to a playful and thoroughly entertaining evening.

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Kim Hartman's Wicked Queen excels

Scott Matthewman, The Stage

21 December 2009

The importance of warming up a panto audience is highlighted by Rickmansworth's latest rendition of Snow White, where the first act played out to a crowd seemingly unable to give anything back to the onstage cast.

Exuberant efforts to engage the audience at the top of the second act may have been a reaction to their previous quiteness, but whatever the reason they result in a much warmer atmosphere that allows the accomplished cast to really show off their capabilities.

Sarah Accomando and Grant Neal, as Snow White and her charming Prince, are two engaging leads with warm vocals. Kim Hartman's Wicked Queen excels at the sneering demeanour demanded of her, if less comfortable with being given a Lady Gaga song to perform. The lion's share of the credit for reviving the audience mood must go to Michael Otton's Muddles, whose magic and escapology routines provide several of the show highlights.

With an audience as receptive in the first half as it was in the second, this would be an enthralling show from the off. It would also mean a warmer reception for the superb circus skills of Angelina Treva Riley, whose enchanting aerial work played in an underserved near silence.

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Well worth a visit...with or without the children

Neil Skinner, Watford Observer

24 December 2009

Snow White and the Seven Dwards at Watersmeet is far from an original production; the jokes are well-worn and the story line known to all.
That's not to say, however, that it doesn't provide a cracking evening of family entertainment - it does so with a joyous panache that kepy my girlfriend and I, a couple in their mid-20s, entertained throughout.

After a slow start - perhaps a result of the freezing weather outside - a near full house booed and hissed along with commendable vigour and more than entered into the spirit of things.

As with all panto productions, this one was held aloft, not by its cheesy song and dance numbers, but by its gloriously wicked queen, played by former 'Allo, 'Allo star Kim Hartman, who, ably assisted by Emmerdale's Rchard Grieve as Herman the Henchman, was clearly revelling in the role of pantomime villain.

Another star turn clearly revelling in his role was magician and presenter Michael Otton, who tackled the court jester role of Muddles with enormous ease and self-confidence.

Throwing in magic routines - not to mention a few painful looking tumbles - along the way, he gave the evening a welcome change of direction and provided some genuine moments of hysterical laughter.

So too did Mark Hastings, arguably the most macho Dame Dolly Dumpling ever to grace the venue.

In short, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is well worth a visit - with or without the children.

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Merrily rocking n rolling along.

Hugh Homan, The Stage

16 December 2009

The problem with Amanda Noar's production (for Paul Holman Associates and the Borough of Broxbourne at the Civic Hall) is that is can't decide whether it's a play for children with music or a pantomime.

We miss the style of Barrie's Edwardian original and the panto elements seem tacked on, but what we experience is a rather enjoyable romp. There's flying, there's audience participation, there's silly business and the matinee audience of school children and their teachers which I attended seemed to approve.

Blake Scott is an elfin Peter but Laura Johnson's Wendy (repeating her role from 2005) is here not quite right. She seems too mature, lacking that just grown up wonder at the adventure she embarks on. Smee and Starkey (Matt Blossom and Tim Eagle) are a funny pair of matelots (and filled effectively for 15 minutes while we waited for a broken down coach to arrive). Carys Gray is a mumsy Mrs Darling and music hall Mermaid called Minnie. Both have powerful voices. And Christopher Villiers enunciates clearly as an Edwardian paterfamilias should and wields a nasty golden hook as Captain. The kids loved to hate him.

The local dancers and juvenilles from the Vale Academy provide their usual excellent support. The costumes are colourful, the settings sparkly and the music from Gavin Whitworth and Peter Dawson keeps the whole thing merrily rocking n rolling along.

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A warm, colourful and enthusiastic show

Richard Edmonds, The Stage

11 December 2009

The decibles soar as the kids flood in from the local schools, excitement is almost palpable and you brace yourself for an ear-splitting morning panto.

The shape of the old story is clearly defined and there are still touches of Disney's magical orginal to be found in Snow White's dress, the magic mirror and the contours and colouring in the masks used by the children who mime the seven dwarfs (backed up by a neatly synchronised click-track).

But at the heart of the show and beefing it up considerably are the two zanies, Eddie and Freddie Dumpling (Jason Francis and Neil Wheatley) skilful actors who bring the children to a roar with their anarchic activities.

Here are two men who recognise perfectly the constructive anarchy which lies within true panto. All good dames have possessed it from the late Danny La Rue to Wyn Calvin. It is a disregard for politeness and good manners, replacing these conformities with menace and the kind of amorality panto dames must have.

Although not dames in the strickest sense of the word (Chris Casserly fills that particular function as a useful Dame), the Dumplings make the show spin like a well-oiled top and they deserve our thanks, especially when the children come on stage for their moment in the spotlight goody-bags.

Elsewhere Kay Purcell is a good Wicked Queen who manages to redeem herself at the end of the panto (which draws a nice smile from Callum McArdle's handsome Prince Richard) while Victoria Scott's agreeable Snow White makes a pleasant heroine although, in a similar way to Jessica Thomas's Woodland Fairy, she would be ill-advised to pursue a career as a singer. But this is still money well spent on a warm, colourful and enthusiastic show which kids will love.

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Panto fun a laugh for all - oh yes it is!

Wayne Beese, Shropshire Star

11 December 2009

More than 600 school children cheered, jeered, clapped and sang their way through Telford's latest pantomime - and loved every minute.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs opened at Oakengates Theatre yesterday to a rapturous reception from capacity crowds, including youngsters from St Luke's Catholic Primary School in Trench.

The seats were rocking before the pantomime even started as youngsters clapped and sang along to Christmas classics.

But the mood quickly changed as the Wicked Queen - alias Emmerdale and Waterloo Road TV star Kay Purcell - entered the stage to a chorus of hissess and boos.

It took less than a minute for the traditional 'Oh yes I am - Oh no you're not' actor-audience panto exchange to come out of the bag as the youngsters clearly disagreed with Queen Griselda's assertion that she was indeed the fairest of them all.

Purcell, who played Fiona Daggart in the ITV soap, is the big name in this panto and played 'baddie' to perfection.

But, as always with pantos, it is often the funnymen who steal the show and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is no exception.

Dame Dolly Dumpling, alias Chris Casserly, proved an immediate hit when he/she came on stage by throwing free sweets and crisps into an audience that screamed for them like they had never been fed.

Some of the jokes could have been tailored for the audience as they were clearly aimed at adults and delivered to children, but that would be nit-picking.

However, the real stars of the show were the returning comedy duo, Francis and Wheatley, who has the youngsters rolling in the aisles as Freddie and Eddie.

They soaked the audience with water and mercilessly took the mickey out of one poor teacher, which made them an instand hit with 90% of the crowd.

This is a fine panto that has something for all ages and will be enjoyed by most who attend.

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An altogether joyful show

Pat Ashworth, The Stage

15 December 2009

Panto used to be a sterile experience at the Assembly Rooms, but it's bedded down beautifully now. The venue has grown an audience that knows what to expect and can't wait for the old familiar gags.

This show gets its cohesion from being both written and directed by Keith Simmons, who also plays Baron Hardup in a cheery partnership with Ben Simmons as the Broker's Man. His mad writhing as an escapologist inside a sack typifies his daft brand of comedy and he goes down a storm here.

Led by Neil Morrissey and Kelle Bryan, the ad-libbing cast are at ease with each other and the warmth that flows from the stage is almost tangible. Morrissey throws all his energies into Buttons and his enjoyment is infectious. Bryan is a vibrant and fiesty Cinderella, and Mark Two and Jamie Steen are rough as the Ugly Sisters. They roar out 'Shut it' to the audience and live up to their self-billing as the uglies pair on the planet.

Slick choreography from Pantomime Dancers and good singing of lively numbers such as We Are Golden and I Only Wanna Be With You make this an altogether joyful show.

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Born to be Buttons

Nick Brunger, WhatsOnStage

16 December 2009

Neil Morrissey puts a real zip into his Buttons as the star of this traditional pantomime offering from the Derby Assembly Rooms.

Written by father and son duo Keith and Ben Simmons, with dad also directing, this is very familar territory with all the right ingredients to entice an appreicative family audience.

Former Eternal chart-topper Kelle Bryan makes a thoroughly old fashioned and charming Cinders. Pop star past aside, she has been building up her theatrical credentials and the show proves that not only can she act and sing but she gives the chorus a run for their money as a dancer.

The Simmon's corny script seems a little rough and ready at first, with Susie Fenwick's fairy having some particularly clumsy lines to work around, but soon won over the audience. As Baron Hardup and Brokers Man, Keith and Ben work well together, although the senior partner has the surer touch.

Mark Two and Jamie Steen make as malevolent a pair of Ugly Sisters as you could want, relishing their roles as Ravishing Rita and Wicked Wanda with Mark's wife Dee providing a stunning set of frocks.

However, it was not until Neil Morrissey appears that this show completely gels. Born to be Buttons, Neil has exactly the right combination of cheekiness, innocence and pathos to bring the part to life and he made his performance look effortless. There was just a touch of Harry Hill about his costume which only fitted where it touched but that aside this production is full of seasonal joy right up to the shower of artificial snow that drifted down on the audience as they left the foyer.

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A strong cast who put heart and soul into the story

Pat Ashworth, The Stage

18 December 2009

I thought I'd heard all the panto gags, so hats off to the writers of this show for laments like, 'She was called Marinade. She left me overnight.' This is a jolly Cinderella, crystal clear and delivered by a strong cast who put heart and soul into the story.

They can sing too, and numbers like Tonight's Going to be a Good Night, What About Love, Footloose and Ghostbusters bring the stage alive. Sean Wilson was born to be Buttons and makes it look easy. Naomi Slater's willowy Cinderella has a goodness about her that never cloys and her Prince Charming (Daniel Brocklebank) is a man of intergrity. Nicole Davis's delightful novice Fairy Godmother lives up to her self-billing as multi-purpose and ever ready.

White Shetland ponies steal the transformation scene, and the mad film projection that is the Crazy Car Ride gets the ghastly Trinny and Susannah (Roger Darrock and Stephen Howe) on their bikes back to Hardup Hall. But credit again to the writers for giving every character a real part to play, so that Dandini (James Dangerfield) and Baron Hardup (Andrew Haynes) have plenty to contribute and do it with conviction. It's a thoroughly good show.

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A giant of a pantomime - and for once it proved to be no exaggeration!

Encore Magazine

11 December 2009

The cover of the programme boldy describes the show as a Giant of a pantomime, and for once, it proved to be no exaggeration. Superb costumes combined with imaginative stage sets, paint the on-stage picture, but it is the characters who rise to the occasion. Seldom have I seen such a wellcast production with each player fitting their respective roles to perfection. It would be a tad unfair to hightlight any single one for they are all, collectively, excellent but nevertheless, standing out to me was the lovable Terry Gleed as a camp Simple Simon. A warm, funny and human performance that was a joy to behold.

On the other end of the scale was the wicked, nasty Fleshcreep, beautifully portrayed by Robert Breslin. A real, live 'heavy' if ever I saw one!

Sue Hodge, known for her performances in TV's 'Allo, 'Allo, sparkled as Fairy Organic, Phillip Armstrong was quite outrageous as Dame Trott and Richard Humble (King Crumble) proved that even royals can have a giggle.

The love interest was shared between Jack Trott (Chris Till) and Princess Amelia (Janine Pardo) and both looked good and sang equally well but it was left to the Giant Blunderbore, well operated by Tim Pont, and Daisy the Cow whose manipulators perfer to remain anonymous, to thrill the audience into stunned silence. Not an easy task!

Well produced, well directed, well written (by Paul Holman & Keith Simmons) and well done to everyone concerned!
Need I say more?

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Venue goes out on a high

Scott Matthewman, The Stage

14 December 2009

Continued delays at Aylesbury's Waterside Theatre mean that the nearby Civic Centre is now on its third, and probably final 'last' performance before demolition. It certainly produced one enabling the venue to go out on a high.

Philip Armstrong is a panto powerhouse as Dame Trott, able to change into the next increasingly bizarre costume in the blink of an eye, while on stage amusing the children and delivering a stream of risque banter for the grown-ups to appreciate. Combined with comic turn Terry Gleed's ability to keep even the tiniest youngster enthralled in the action and Sue Hodge's linking narration as Fairy Organic, the pace is kept up throughout.

Less successful are romantic leads Chris Till and Janine Pardo, despite good vocal performances. As henchman Fleshcreep, Robert Breslin is suitably demonic and provides plenty of opportunities for the usual boo and hiss moments. Given a solo vocal number at the head of the second act, though, he reveals an impressive voice that provides the musical highlight of the show and leaves one feeling disappointed his talent is not used more throughout.

As in so many versions of Jack and the Beanstalk, the giant himself is the weakest link, but with so many fine performances on stage, the audience cares little.

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A Great Traditional Pantomime

Peta David, The Stage

14 December 2009

A big hairy giant played by Phil Price puts this pantomime in a league of its own. More often than not you only hear the giant's booming voice from off stage so it makes a pleasant change to see him in person chasing around the stage. He stamps up and down doing his 'Fe fi fo fum' stuff, only to be put in his place by the gallant Jack (played by the diminutive Andy Steed) who slays the giant and rescues the princess played by Abigail Dever. Both Steed and Dever have pleasing singing voices and do justice to a number of popular songs through the show.

Jeffrey Holland of Hi-de-Hi fame plays an understated Dame Trott with a modest wardobe by today's standards. Her half-wit son Simon, played by Ian Jones, provides most of the topical and slapstick humour aimed firmly at the youngsters in the audience. However, he talks so quickly in parts it is sometimes difficult to catch what he says, which gives the impression that everything is getting faster and faster.

Jake Maskall, who recently played Danny Moon in EastEnders, plays a wonderfully wicked Fleshcreep adding all the essential audience participation necessary for a great traditional panto.

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Jack is a true giant of a show

Andrew Powell

18 December 2009

The Palace Theatre panto has been superb for a number of years, especially since the services of Paul Holman Assocaites were brought in.
And it was difficult to image how the shows of particularly the past two years - especially the brilliant Beauty and the Beast with the side-splitting Bernie Clifton in 2007, and last year's Cinderella starring ex-Corrie star Sean Wilson - could be surpassed, but somehow this year's show has shifted up a gear or two!

Polished, funny, quick moving, relevant and thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end - the whole team at the Palace have put everything they have into this, and it really shows.

Working through the cast in order of their influence on the show, it has to be said that Ian Jones as Simple Simon keeps the whole thing together and moving with his antics and quick fired humour. He is great with the adults in the audience and the kids who come up on stage too.

Now onto the source of all the booing, and EastEnders' Danny Moon, aka Jake Maskall makes a wonderful hate character in the evil Fleshcreep - loud, nasty and a thoroughly objectionable character, he does a great job of being horrid.

Hi-de-Hi's Jeffrey Holland is a classic as Dame Trott, with all the blingy outfits and outrageous behaviour, and he comes complete with his off-stage wife, Judy Buxton as Fairy Organic, who is equally charming.

Then of course there's the lively pairing at the centre of the plot, first series X Factor contestant Andy Steed as Jack Trott and Abigail Dever as the lovely Princess Amelia. They have been well cast as a clean pair, in love and set to get married if only they can get rid of the horrible Giant Blunderbore.

Daisy the Cow (as herself) makes a lovely old cow (sorry Daisy!), while Phil Price is priceless as the Giant who makes a nice surprise in his production of Jack and the Beanstalk as one gets to see the ...(well, go and see it for yourselves).
Old jokes and predictable routines, slap stick and audience participation are all part of the bread and butter of British tradition, and this has them all in heaps.

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A smashing pantomime in every sense

Kevin Berry, The Stage

09 December 2009

A smashing pantomime in every sense. Briskly paced, colourfully dressed, unfailingly funny and with ample opportunities for everyone to join in.

So good to see Snow White who is not preening and self-absorbed, as most of them are. Victoria Holton plays her with affectionate grace. Also good to have a fairy, in Gemma Shields, who is a classic fairy and aware of her traditional duties in setting up the story and ensuring romance.

That much admired charater comedian Peter John plays dame. The role is a bit of a shoehorn in this story, but John is always a delight and with him on stage everything is expertly timed.

Carriageworks audiences expect lively banter and good routines and they get them. Some are traditional and some are new. The enjoyable Something Else I'd Rather Be number is dusted off and shaken into life. The ghost, Oliver Fabian, times his movements far better than any ghost this reviewer has seen this season.

Dancers are supplied by SLP college, with boys and girls from the ranks of the vocational students and younger age groups. Their varied routines give this panto flair and extra charm.

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A quality festive family frolic

Rebecca Ryder, DIG Yorkshire

07 January 2010

The Carriageworks can always be trusted to get fully into the swing of panto season, with a variety of famous faces appearing annually in their family-friendly productions. Locals have this year been treated to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, starring Emmerdale's Jean Rogers as the Wicked Queen, CBBC's Jez Edwards as Muddles, comedian Peter John as the Dame, and newcomer Victoria Holborn as Snow White.

The children are always catered for in these productions, but this year they seemed to also be key to many of the comedic elements of the play. Several little youngsters amused as the seven dwarfs, complete with oversized knitted dwarfs heads. Their names had been tweaked for comedy value, and each had a little motif that was characteristic of their name, which they would perform whenever they spoke. Particularly funny were Posey and Rappy - you can imagine the traits they displayed at every opportunity, which never failed to get a laugh. The adorable little ballet dancing rabbit that followed Snow White around and always sniffed out trouble before she did, raised smiles throughout, and was a wonderful use of dramatic irony.

Jez Edwards was charming and full of beans in a way that only a CBBC presenter can be even when dealing with the perils of bringing children up from the audience to perform a spontaneous song and give them prizes. He carried the story through with a lot of audience interaction, despite not having the traditional main role as with Snow White and the Prince. Victoria Holborn played her part innocently and likeably, performing her songs beautifully, an impressive start to her career in entertainment.

Jean Rogers was graceful but typically evil as the Queen, making a great villain as she got all the children hissing and booing; then turned it around as she was transformed into a morally decent human being at the end and gained everyone's forgiveness.

Peter John made a brilliantly archetypal dame, complete with full on pouting and shameless flirting, plus frequent costume changes which grew more ridiculousy colorful and outlandish every time.

The highlight of the production was the performance of Something Else I'd Rather Be, which built its intensity and chaos throughout as the tempo grew faster and each of the male characters kept up their impressive routine of dodging eachother's weapons whilst performing their own version of the verse.

The Carriageworks can once again be applauded for putting on a quality festive family frolic, which can't have failed to leave even the dourest of Strooges in high spirits.

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