The Theatre Royal Windsor Pantomime is back for 2021, much to the delight of the Windsorians in the audience who gave it a rousing welcome. The production was packed full of sparkle, drama and humour. The performance was an absolute joy. A very traditional spectacular pantomime for all the family. The anticipation of the audience was apparent even before the curtain went up, and from there on in the auditorium erupted.
Dotty Dame Trott, played by Steven Blakeley, and Simon Trott, played by Kevin Cruise, are brilliant past masters at evoking audience participation. Their timing and corny jokes had us in stitches, with cameos such as the Twelve days of Christmas, and a pot throwing sequence!
Jack Trott, played by Jay Worley, was charismatic with a good stage presence. He also had a good singing voice, as did his partner Jill played by Alice Fillary. Basil Brush was as always, a popular presence, loved by children and adults alike. Jemima Fleshcreep played by Anita Harris gave a convincing performance as the wicked witch. Fairy Daffodil played by Elizabeth Carter gave a pleasing performance and looked very beautiful in her sparkling costumes. The costumes in general were dazzling and there were spectacular scenes with a flying cow and the miraculous emergence of a giant beanstalk.
There were so many popular songs to be sung along too with the ensemble. All in all a first class show.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is a family Christmas offering from Northern Stage, written by Laura Lindow . The action takes place on a large stage and is set in the streets of Newcastle. Scenery for this production is quite industrial in style and often dark and gloomy, adding to the mysterious atmosphere of the early part of the show. The stage set for the second half, inside the sorcerer’s home, is more a more colourful affair.
The storyline for this production is very loosely based on the traditional tale of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice with some more modern twists, and local references, thrown in along the way. The main character, Hatty Rabbit, played by Beth Crame, is a child who is blessed with magical powers which she credits to her special birth. When Hatty’s mum (Alice Blundell) dies Hatty’s wicked aunt, Primula Fudge, ( Heather Dutton ) agrees to care for Hatty. Eventually Hatty is sent to Bish Bash Bosh, an institution for challenging children. During her stay Hatty finds a letter from a sorcerer asking for an apprentice. Suffice to say Hatty is given the job of apprentice, but when the sorcerer leaves Hatty in charge, the magic begins. Like all good Christmas stories there is a happy ending to this tale.
Hatty is an exuberant, energetic and lively character who interacts in a friendly way with the audience from time to time, and Beth Crame gives this role her all! Hatty’s furry friend the rat puppet ( Patrick Munday) added a further dimension to the story and I’m sure the children who were watching loved this cute little character. My favourite character however, was definitely Hatty’s aunt, Primula Fudge. Although she was unkind to Hatty, Heather Dutton was so funny in this role and came across as a totally self obsessed character who loves the limelight. The scene with the photographer was particularly funny and Primula’s costume definitely reflected her larger than life personality.
In terms of humour, there were some quite funny one liners included in the script. At one point for example, the sorcerer asks Hatty,”How do you eat your custard creams?” and she replies “As quickly as possible,” There was also some lavatorial humour ( which I’m sure the children loved ) including references to mouse droppings and reindeer poo,
The dance routine from children at Bish Bash Bosh was a highlight for me and the music and songs written by Katie Doherty was a pleasant addition to the show.
This production seemed to be enjoyed by families with children who were the target audience. However, I would have liked to see more exciting special effects in the show and more being made of Hattys magical powers. I think this would have made a good show even more special.
Wilton’s Music Hall, London – until 31st December 2021
Reviewed by Bobbi Fenton
5*****
‘The Child in the Snow’, created by Piers Torday and adapted from ‘The Old Nurse’s Tale’ by Elizabeth Gaskell is a wonderfully eerie play, which tells the story of a Nurse in 1918 who has recently returned from the war front. Nurse Hester Thornton (Safiyya Ingar) invites clairvoyant Psychic Estelle Leonard (Debbie Chazen) to perform a séance in the house she had been sent to live in at the age of twelve. During her time living there, she uncovered a dark secret about the house, and her aunt. She has since forgotten what the secret was, but knows that it was the scariest thing she has ever experienced, even after serving as a nurse in France during the war. Mrs Leonard uses her psychic ability to conjure multiple spirits, and through doing so, helps Hester Thornton to remember what she had experienced while living in the house.
Throughout the play, Debbie Chazen switches perfectly between the different character’s whose spirits communicate through Mrs Leonard, and Safiyya Ingar does an amazing job of portraying Hester at different moments during her life, such as when she was a nurse in France and when she was living in the house as a child.
The set was beautifully designed, with the stage made to look like a room in an abandoned house for the majority of the show, with different pieces of furniture and other things under white sheets. During a few scenes, however, the back wall opens up to reveal the outside, covered in snow. They even made use of the balcony of the music hall itself, with tree branches leant slightly over the top.
Filled with perfectly timed jump scares, and bone chilling moments, this play is a definite must see for any lovers of ghost stories and supernatural horror. Get down to Wilton’s music hall while you still can, just remember not to let him in, no matter how much he cries.
RSC ANNOUNCE DEATH OF HONORARY ASSOCIATE ARTIST SIR ANTONY SHER
Today the RSC announced the death of Sir Antony Sher, Honorary Associate Artist and husband of Artistic Director, Gregory Doran. Antony was diagnosed with terminal cancer earlier this year with Gregory taking compassionate leave from his role in September to care for Antony.
Catherine Mallyon, RSC Executive Director and Erica Whyman, Acting Artistic Director, said:
‘We are deeply saddened by this news and our thoughts and sincere condolences are with Greg, and with Antony’s family and their friends at this devastating time.
‘Antony had a long association with the RSC and a hugely celebrated career on stage and screen. Antony’s last production with the Company was in the two-hander Kunene and The King, written by his friend and fellow South African actor, writer and activist, John Kani.
‘Other recent productions at the RSC include King Lear, Falstaff in the Henry IV plays and Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman. Earlier landmark performances included Leontes in The Winter’s Tale, Iago in Othello, Prospero in The Tempest and the title roles in Macbeth, Tamburlaine the Great, Peter Flannery’s Singer, Cyrano de Bergerac, as well as his career defining Richard III. He also attracted critical acclaim for his performances at the National Theatre in his one man show Primo, Pam Gems’ Stanley (Olivier Award and TONY nominated) and Uncle Vanya with Ian McKellen. In the West End in Torch Song Trilogy (Olivier award winning for this and Richard III), at the Royal Court in Carol Churchill’s Cloud Nine and his first big hit playing Ringo Starr in Willy Russell’s John, Paul, George, Ringo and Bert; and on film in Mrs Brown and on television in Malcolm Bradbury’s The History Man.
‘Antony was a widely exhibited artist and author of multiple books including the theatre journals Year of the King, Woza Shakespeare!, co-written with Gregory Doran, four novels including Middlepost, three plays, a television screenplay and his autobiography Beside Myself.
‘Antony was deeply loved and hugely admired by so many colleagues. He was a ground-breaking role model for many young actors, and it is impossible to comprehend that he is no longer with us. We will ensure friends far and wide have the chance to share tributes and memories in the days to come’.
RSC Chair Shriti Vadera added ‘Our hearts go out to Greg today, as on behalf of all RSC Board members, past and present, we express our deep sadness, affection and condolences to him and other members of Antony’s family. Antony was beloved in the RSC and touched and enriched the lives of so many people’.
Susie Sainsbury, Artists’ Associate and former RSC Deputy Chair said:
‘Tony and Greg were together for over 30 years, and their careers as actor and director have brought them international acclaim, both individually and in the many productions where they worked together so productively. Tony will be remembered for many exceptional roles on stage and screen, but also for his passion for painting and drawing, which occupied his days increasingly in recent years. The last decade – with Greg as Artistic Director of the RSC – has been spent mainly in Stratford-upon-Avon, where Tony was delighted to have his own studio at their house, and we will remember them together not only in the theatre but as genial and generous hosts, with endless good food and fascinating conversations. Their many friends and colleagues will each have particular memories – mine is an image of the two of them, bearded and smiling, on the window seat in their sitting room, utterly content in each other’s company. It is impossible to imagine one without the other, and our thoughts and deep sympathy are with Greg and their families’.
John Kani, Actor and Playwright writes:
‘Both Tony Sher and I were born when our country South Africa was the worst place a child could be born let alone to be raised by parents who worked very hard to prepare their children for a difficult future – Apartheid South Africa. By the Grace his God and my Ancestors, like Romeo and Juliet, we found each other in 1973. We travelled together as compatriots, comrades in the struggle for a better South Africa, as fellow artists and we both had the honour of celebrating together twenty-five years of South Africa’s Democracy in my latest play Kunene and the King. I am at peace with you my friend and myself. Exit my King.
Your Brother
Gregory remains on compassionate leave and is expected to return to work in 2022. The RSC asks that Gregory’s privacy is respected at this time.
On 28 November and 1 December 2021, ANYTHING GOES, London’s ‘Show of the Year’ was screened in 500 cinemas across the UK and Ireland by Trafalgar Releasing
To date the event has taken £715K at the box office [Source: ComScore]
Anything Goes takes the #1 position as the best-performing Event Cinema release of 2021
Trafalgar Releasing today confirms that the cinema release of ANYTHING GOES has taken £715,378 at the box office to date and is the best-performing Event Cinema release of 2021.
Screened in more than 500 cinemas across the UK and Ireland, ANYTHING GOES will be released in the US and selected international territories in Spring 2022. Tickets will go on sale in January, sign up for the latest news at AnythingGoesMusicalCinema.com.
The record-breaking stage production of ANYTHING GOES is also sailing back to the Barbican Theatre next summer for an eight week return residency from 15 July until 3 September. From spring 2022, audiences across the country will also get the chance to enjoy the truly spectacular, multi-Tony Award winning, ‘show of the year!’ (★★★★★ Daily Telegraph), as the S.S American will be heading to theatres in Bristol, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Canterbury on its way to the Barbican!
Producer Sir Howard Panter said: “We are thrilled with the response from cinema audiences up and down the country to this glorious production of Anything Goes. It demonstrates a real appetite for musicals on the big screen – audiences can’t get enough of this majestic show. From outstanding leading actors, to the spectacular supporting company, the glorious set design, the breathtaking choreography and stage direction, and of course the wonderful score – it really is ‘the show of the year’.”
Marc Allenby, CEO of Trafalgar Releasing, comments: “This fantastic box office result demonstrates the continued recovery for cinema with audiences welcoming the opportunity to watch smash hit musicals like Anything Goes on the big screen.”
Filmed live at the Barbican in London – during the show’s 15 week residency at the theatre this summer – this major new five star production of the classic musical comedy features an all-star cast led by renowned Broadway royalty Sutton Foster reprising her Tony Award-winning performance as Reno Sweeney, alongside three-time Olivier Award and Tony Award winner Robert Lindsay (My Family) as Moonface Martin, Evening Standard Theatre Award winner Felicity Kendal (The Good Life) as Evangeline Harcourt and beloved West End Legend Gary Wilmot (Chicago) as Elisha Whitney. A heart-warming romance with spectacular dance routines and some of theatre’s most memorable songs, ANYTHING GOES is ‘a joyously shipshape revival’ (★★★★★ The Observer).
ANYTHING GOES opened this summer at the Barbican with audiences on their feet night after night giving this multi-Tony Award winning show multiple standing ovations at every performance. Featuring a 50 strong cast and ensemble of the finest there is to offer on the London stage, including tap dancing sailors and a full-sized live orchestra, this critically acclaimed production ‘immediately joins the pantheon of great classic musical revivals’ (Daily Telegraph).
ANYTHING GOES has music and lyrics by Cole Porter, an original book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton with Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse and a new book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman. The filmed production also stars Samuel Edwards (Les Misérables / Wicked) as Billy Crocker, Nicole-Lily Baisden (The Book of Mormon / Let’s Face The Music) as Hope Harcourt, Haydn Oakley (A Christmas Carol / An American in Paris) as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh and Carly Mercedes Dyer (West Side Story / Chicago) as Erma.
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 4 December 2021
Reviewed by Joanna Huggett
5*****
My 12-year-old daughter Faye and I went to see the show, and we both found it utterly spellbinding. We thought the set was simple, but affective, and we particularly loved the moving trees and the sun. The costumes were also quite simple but affective, and we loved the use of colour. Particularly the mustard costumes for the solar kingdom’s army. We found the sword fighting with sticks particularly clever, and we loved the magical element brought across by merlin. The glowing tree and the lights carried by the dancers were particularly effective.
The music was lovely. Perfectly pitched so as not to take away from the dancing performances, but effortless and truly magical in parts. We found the lighting and the ambience of the theatre very comfortable.
In terms of performances, we felt that Morgan, played by Antoinette Brooks-Daw, and Merlin, played by Kevin Poeung, really stole the show. Excellent both technically and in terms of musicality and emotional performance. We also enjoyed the performances by Ygraine, played by Rachael Gillespie, and the Blacksmith, played by Minju Kang, and we loved the dragon puppet, played by Ashley Dixon.
The story line was relatively complicated, but we felt it was portrayed effectively by the dancers, and the acting was excellent. Overall, we absolutely loved the show. Having attended several ballet performances over the years at various theatres and by various companies, I found this to be the most interesting and original by far, and at no point did I feel bored or restless. I felt genuinely disappointed when it had finished. I will be sure to attend another production by the Northern Ballet if I ever get the chance.
Musical theatre writing duo Gina Georgio and James Beeny of Toy Soldier Productions are thrilled to announce their latest project, LADY M. This brand-new musical inspired by William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ begins workshops on Wednesday 8 December, and a first look at the opening number of the show, “Mother Scotland” is revealed today. The video is available to view here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGpmduuGZqg
LADY M is a musical reimagining of ‘Macbeth’, telling the untold story of Lady Macbeth, whose haunted past lies at the heart of this infamous tale of murder, power and destruction. The sung-through musical features a modern score, blending musical theatre with a contemporary sound and elements of rap, with original music and lyrics by Georgio and Beeny.
LADY M is currently in development and is undergoing a workshop with director Jean-Pierre Van Der Spuy (Oliver!, Porgy and Bess, Co-Director – Les Misérables: The Staged Concert at the Gielgud Theatre and Sondheim Theatre, Associate Director – Les Misérables UK Tour 2018, Miss Saigon UK Tour, Half A Sixpence). The workshop’s cast will include George Blagden (Vikings, Versailles, Company, Les Misérables 2012 film), Kerry Ellis (We Will Rock You, Miss Saigon, Wicked, Oliver!), Robert Hands (Doctor Who, Come From Away), Jamie Muscato (Les Misérables, Heathers, Big Fish), Maiya Quansah-Breed (Six, Rent) and Karl Queensborough (Hamilton, White Teeth). The workshop company is completed by Devon Elise-Johnson, Maria Graciano, Tom Hier, Sam O’Rourke,Claire Parrish and Paul Wilkins. The workshop of Lady M will conclude with a showing of the work on 22 December at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Released today, the music video for the opening number of the show, “Mother Scotland” was recorded during lockdown and performed by some of the most iconic voices of the West End including George Blagden (Vikings, Versailles, Company, Les Misérables 2012 film), Earl Carpenter (‘The Phantom’ in The Phantom of the Opera, ‘Javert’ in Les Misérables), Bradley Jaden (‘Javert’ in Les Misérables, ‘Fiyero’ in Wicked), and Karl Queensborough (‘Alexander Hamilton’ in Hamilton).
Toy Soldier Productions is a British production company, founded in 2020 by musical theatre partnership Gina Georgio and James Beeny to develop and produce new, original work. With a background in the music industry, guitarist James and pianist Gina made their theatre debut with new British musical ‘The Dreamers’. In 2018 the production underwent a two-week workshop at the Victoria Palace Theatre, followed by four fully staged workshop performances at the internationally famous Abbey Road Studios.
The Old Fire Station,a pioneering partnership between a professional arts centre and homeless charity Crisis,today announces that Ellen Robertson will step in to perform the role of Helen in the world première of Mike Bartlett’s, Mrs Delgado. Robertson replacesRakhee Sharma, who has had to withdraw from the production due to unforeseen circumstances.
The production, directed by Clare Lizzimore, will run with an amended schedule, opening on 10 December, with previews from 8 December, and running until 21 December. It will be livestreamed on 11 and 14 December.
Alexandra Coke, producing the show for the Old Fire Station, said today, “We are delighted to welcome Ellen back to the OFS, after her appearances in Snowflake in 2019, and last year’s filmed show An Intervention. Ellen is a great comedian and a fantastic actress – you can see a pilot for her show Britney, along with her comedy partner Charly Clive on BBC iPlayer. We can’t wait to work with her again, and we’d like to thank her for stepping in so close to opening night.”
Helen, along with 67 million other people, is in lockdown. Unfortunately Helen’s nearest neighbour, Mrs Delgado, is not.
Mike Bartlett’s funny and poignant new play tells a story of desire, control, raised blinds and lowered boundaries.
Mike Bartlett is a multi-award-winning stage and screen writer. He has won three Olivier Awards for his plays Cock (Royal Court Theatre – Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre), King Charles III (Almeida Theatre/Wyndham’s Theatre – Best New Play; also winner of Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Play), Bull (Young Vic – Olivier Award for Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre). He also won the UK Theatre Award for Best New Play for Love, Love, Love, which transferred to the Royal Court Theatre. Other plays include Snowflake (Old Fire Station, Kiln Theatre), Albion, Game (Almeida Theatre), Wild (Hampstead Theatre), 13, Earthquakes in London (National Theatre) and many others. He has previously been Writer-in-Residence at the Royal Court Theatre, National Theatre and Paines Plough. His television work has also won national acclaim, including hit BBC One series Doctor Foster, which won BAFTA, National Television, Royal Television Society and Broadcasting Press Guild Awards. Other television credits include Life, Press (BBC), Trauma, The Town (ITV – BAFTA nominated) and the television adaptation of King Charles III (BBC).
Ellen Robertson plays Helen. Her credits for the company include An Intervention and Snowflake (also Kiln Theatre). Robertson and her comedy partner, Charly Clive’s debut show Britney had a sell-out run at the Battersea Arts Centre – the production first played at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Soho Theatre/ and VAULT Festival – the show was also adapted for BBC3. Together they are developing a scripted television project with Pure producers Drama Republic. As a writer, her work includes Nesting (The Watermill Theatre), an episode of the web series Post Coital (which she also starred in) and is currently working on a new play, Any Willing Provider. For television, as an actor, her work includes The Pale Horse and In My Skin.
Clare Lizzimore is an award-winning writer and director. Mrs Delgado is herthirdcollaboration with playwright Mike Bartlett, following Snowflake (Old Fire Station, Kiln Theatre) and Bull (Young Vic, Sheffield Theatres and 59E59 New York), which won the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. She has also won a Channel 4 Theatre Directors Award (Formally the RTYDS Award) and Arts Foundation Theatre Directing Fellowship; and she was previously resident director at Citizens Theatre, Glasgow and staff director at the National Theatre. Her other directing credits include One Day When We Were Young (Paines Plough/Sheffield Theatres/Shoreditch Town Hall), Lay Down Your Cross, On the Rocks (Hampstead Theatre), Pieces of Vincent (Arcola Theatre), Faces In The Crowd, The Mother (Royal Court Theatre), Fear and Misery, War and Peace (Royal Court Theatre/Latitude), The Most Humane Way To Kill a Lobster (Theatre503), and Tom Fool (Glasgow Citizens/Bush).
The producers of the smash-hit musical ROCK OF AGES are delighted to announce that musical theatre star and X Factor Champion MATT TERRY will star as ‘Stacee Jaxx’ from Tuesday 25 January at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking until Saturday 9 July at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend. www.rockofagesmusical.co.uk.
Performer, singer and songwriter MATT TERRY is perhaps best known as the champion of the 2016 series of ITV’s The X Factor, gaining a Top 3 hit with his Ed Sheeran penned winner’s single, “When Christmas Comes Around”. He was also featured on Enrique Iglesias’ smash Summer single ‘Subeme La Radio’ with Sean Paul, which spent 14 weeks in the Top 10. Matt Terry’s debut album ‘Trouble’ was released in November 2017 which featured ‘Subeme La Radio’ and the lead single ‘Sucker For You’, which has now been streamed over 100 million times. In addition to music, Matt has also fronted his own radio show for Capital FM and has toured the world in leading roles in ‘Dreamwork’s Madagascar The Musical’ and Broadway’s ‘Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical’.
The full cast of ROCK OF AGES includes Luke Walsh as ‘Drew’, Rhiannon Chesterman as ‘Sherrie’, Joe Gash as ‘Lonny’, Ross Dawes as ‘Dennis Dupree’, Gabriella Williams as ‘Regina’, Jenny Fitzpatrick as ‘Justice’, Vas Constanti as ‘Hertz Klinemann’, Andrew Carthy ‘Franz Klinenmann’ and Erin Bell as ‘Constance’. The cast is completed by Billy Roberts,Joshua Dever Scott Hayward, Siobhan James, Phoebe Samuel-Gray, Morgan Scott, Janine Somcio and Sam Turrell.
“ROCK OF AGES” is the hilarious musical comedy lavished with over 25 classic rock anthems, including, ‘We Built This City’, ‘The Final Countdown’, ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’, ‘Here I Go Again’, ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling’ and ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’, played loud and proud by an awesome live band. Leave it all behind and lose yourself in a city and a time where the dreams are as big as the hair, and yes, they can come true!
Now a global smash with hit seasons on Broadway, London’s West End and Las Vegas and a star-studded Hollywood movie version this show promises you the best party night out around.
The crew is made up of Company Stage Manager Paul C Deavin, Deputy Stage Manager Sophie Mason, Assistant Stage Manager/Book Cover Mali-Beth Rose, Technical Stage Manager Benjamin Larkin, Sound 1 Robbie Matthews, Sound 2 Sam Roberts and Head of Wardrobe Chaja Nadia Verkerk.
The band is made up of Musical Director and Keys Liam Holmes, Guitar1 Liam Stevenson, Guitar 2 Alex Ward, Bass Guitar Elliot Mason and Drums Vito Guerrieri.
“ROCK OF AGES” has a book by Chris D’Arienzo and arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp.
The full creative team includes Nick Winston (Director of the feature film “Tomorrow Morning”, “MAME”, “The Royal Variety Performance”) who Directs and Choreographs the show, Set and Costume design by Morgan Large (“The Woman in White”, “Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat” and “Tell Me On A Sunday”), Lighting Design by Ben Cracknell (“Sunset Boulevard”, “Pantoland at the Palladium”, “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”), Sound Design by Ben Harrison (“Mame”, “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” and “Fame”) and Video and Projection design by Duncan McLean (“The Car Man, Nutcracker! and Magic Goes Wrong”). Casting Director is Jim Arnold CDG, Associate Director is Victoria Gimby, Associate Choreographer is Ryan-Lee Seager and Associate Lighting Designer is Chris Vaughan. Costume Supervision by Lee Tassie and Production Management by Phil McCandlish.
Leeds City Varieties Music Hall – until 9 January 2021
Reviewed by Sal E Marino
5*****
There was a tremendous feeling of pure joy, jubilation and non-stop uncontrollable laughter across Leeds last night, as Beauty and the Beast– the famous Rock ‘n’ Roll panto – was showing at the fabulous City Varieties Music Hall. After receiving the warmest of welcomes from the front-of-house team, an excited audience settled down for what was the best pantomime I’ve ever seen – and I genuinely mean that!
Brilliantly written by Peter Rowe and directed by Rob Salmon, this year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll panto really ‘Gets the Party Started’ and that, along with a whole jukebox of top hits (all performed live by the spectacular multi-versatile cast) was outstanding in itself! Where else can you see the Fairy Godmother banging the drums and Pantomime Dame playing the sax? At first, one didn’t realise the cast were actually playing the music live as it seemed so effortless and note-perfect so just how that was done, after performing very physically challenging all-singing and all-dancing scenes, I really don’t know – sheer talent!
Every single character was superb in their own right but Simon Nock, as Dame Bessie, really knocked the bloomers off funny. He totally embodied his character not just physically, which was hilarious on sight, but in every scene that Bessie was on stage – you felt like you were at a stand-up comedy show! I can’t remember laughing so much at a live performance in such a long time. Of course, Nock was complemented by an extremely uproarious and side-splitting gang: Kenny Davies as Sir Peacock Beauregard, James William-Pattison as Desperate Dan, Hannah Price as Vanity, Hannah Baker as Luxury, Alice Gruden as Primp,Tim Roberts as Preen and Lana Walker as Fairy Fortunate.
Innuendo filled with spontaneous belly laughs coming from every seat, Beauty and the Beast, also had romance and heart-felt moments which came from our beautiful Beauty, Grace Lancaster and amazing singer and actor – Prince / Beast, Connor Mellor. These two didn’t fail to deliver the traditional fairy tale love story we all want to see and due to their chemistry – all believed! There were so many highlights and every second was packed with really fabulous music – directed by Dan de Cruz and dance – choreographed by Sam Spencer-Lane.
Seamless staging, set, lighting and sound (Sam Spencer-Lane, Dawn Allsopp, Tim Oliver and Simon Deacon) meant that we were treated to a full traditional story; following Sir Peacock Beauregard (and his three daughters) from riches to rags and back again, with a chance meeting with the Beast and his tragic story entwined. Finding themselves at Mucky Manor Farm in Leeds, with hosts Dame Bessie and Desperate Dan, really was too much for haughty daughters Luxury and Vanity so they marched off to Harrogate (I really doubt they had as much of a good time there!) and their dear father, after escaping Bessie’s clutches, found himself with the Beast in his castle. In a mix-up regarding a stolen rose, Sir Beauregard promised his daughter, Beauty, to the creature after threats of the whole family being eaten! Sweet Beauty eventually fell in love with the Beast and all the other characters came under the love spell too so that four weddings, not just one, ensued in a spectacular finale.
By the end of the show the whole theatre was bouncing as everyone was on their feet dancing and singing their hearts out; there was a lot of love in the room on and off stage. If you want some Christmas cheer or to start off the New Year smiling, I can guarantee that seeing the Rock ‘n’ Roll panto – Beauty and Beast – will give you feel-good vibes and a merrymaking experience. It’s really one for the children and the adults – old, young and in-between – with nothing but jokes and joy from start to finish!
