THE HIPPODROME, BIRMINGHAM – UNTIL SUNDAY 30TH JANUARY
REVIEWED BY NADIA DODD
5*****
Panto is back at the Hippodrome, Birmingham for the first time in 2 years and they have come back bigger, bolder and better than ever.
Tagged as ‘The Greatest Panto On Earth’ they really lived up to this giving the audience last night over 2 hours of pure escapism.
Headline cast Jason Donovan in his panto debut as the Evil Ringmaster, Andrew Ryan as Dame Betty Barnum, Alexia McIntosh as Candy Floss, Samantha Dorrance as Goldilocks, Doreen Tipton as the Lazy Lion Tamer and panto legend Matt Slack as the Ringmaster.
The story is based on Dame Barnum trying to save her beloved Big Top Circus from the Evil Ringmaster, who tries a few different crafty tricks to steal her star act – the 3 Brummy Bears – which would ruin her business and livelihood if he succeeded.
Amazing circus acts throughout the show including magician Phil Hitchcock, The Gemini Twins showing off their circus skills and I was in awe of the motorcycle act, Peter Pavlov with their Globe of Speed, real hair raising stuff.
There really was something for everyone, panto is great for kids of all ages and with the cheeky jokes and adult themed innuendos, belly laughs were on the menu right from the start.
Matt Slack is a panto legend, back for his eighth year at the Hippodrome and you can really see why they keep having him back. Amazing at impersonations and singing, the comedy legend has great chemistry with his fellow co-stars but the scenes with him and Jason Donovan were just hilarious – lots of jokes about his casting in Neighbours and history with Kylie Minogue, the audience just loved him.
The stage, scenery and costumes really were high class, dazzling and a sheer joy. Lots of pyrotechnics used throughout the show and not forgetting an amazing huge gorilla and elephant head that almost comes out to the first few rows of the stalls from the stage – children were left spellbound.
Matt Slack rounded up after the finale with an extremely emotional thank you to the rest of the cast and all staff at the theatre for making the show work under the current rules due to Covid, he also thanked the audience for supporting and introducing the next generation to live theatre.
Still another 3 weeks to catch the show and you really won’t be disappointed now matter what your age !