WITH MUSIC BY ANDRÉ PREVIN AND LYRICS BY TOM STOPPARD
DIRECTED BY RACHEL KAVANAUGH
Bill Kenwright presents the long-awaited return of Rough Crossing written by Academy, Tony and Olivier award-winning writer Tom Stoppard (Shakespeare in Love, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, The Real Thing, Arcadia) and directed by acclaimed director Rachel Kavanaugh (The Wind in the Willows, Half a Sixpence).
The star cast is led by John Partridge, winner of this year’s Celebrity Masterchef. John is best known to TV audiences as the suave and charismatic Christian Clarke in EastEnders. He is one of musical theatre’s most prolific leading men, having played in major West End musical hits such as Chorus Line, Chicago, and in Bill Kenwright’s recent La Cage Aux Folles.
Joining John fresh from Snow White at the London Palladium is one of musical theatre’s brightest upcoming stars, Olivier-award nominee Charlie Stemp, who has triumphed on Broadway starring opposite Bette Midler in Hello, Dolly! and in London in Half a Sixpence. He will play Bert in the 2019 revival of Mary Poppins. They will be joined by West-End star Issy van Randwyck (Fascinating Aïda), comedy TV favourite Matthew Cottle(Game On, The Windsors),Holby City’sRob Ostlere and Simon Dutton who portrayed Simon Templar in The Saint.
Rough Crossing opens at the Theatre Royal Windsor on 29 January 2019 followed by a nationwide tour visiting: Chichester, Manchester, Bath, Malvern, Guildford, Plymouth, Norwich, Leeds and Cambridge.
Two famous but desperate playwrights are stuck in an ocean liner headed for New York, feverishly trying to rehearse their latest show before reaching land, and opening night. But they are constantly distracted by their delicate composer’s attempts to end it all, having overheard his lover confess her feelings to the leading man.
Add an absurdly unorthodox waiter, a mistimed lifeboat drill and a vanishing glass of brandy and soon the sharp Atlantic winds turn to world-class gales of laughter as these colourful characters become tangled up in a typically Stoppardian string of absurd events.
The creative team is completed by: Colin Richmond (Set and Costume), Ben Cracknell (Lighting) and Dan Samson (Sound).
Freely adapted from Fernec Monlár’s Játék A Kastélyban.
Richard O’Brien’s 1973 absolute cult classic kicked off its national tour in Brighton this month, running through to November 2019. This completely insane musical had me grinning ear to ear with its bonkers premise, audience camaraderie and fantastic music.
Brad (Ben Adams) and Janet (Joanne Clifton) are newly engaged and find themselves led completely astray in all manners of means, but mostly in the carnal sense by the alluring and all commanding castle-dweller transvestite Frank N Furter (Stephen Webb). Need I say more? Dom Joly as the Narrator allows the infamous audience interjections to weave in with the dialogue, some old favourites and some new ad libs (including Dom Joly’s own bang up to date Brexit retort to ‘Sieg Heil’!). There are loyal fans in full Rocky costume in attendance leading the interactions with the cast, all of whom, leave space for the variety of responses to hold court with the scripted lines.The vocal casting was perfect. Ben Jones provides a smooth and poppy voice for the nerdy, naive Brad. Stephen Webb delivers a tear-invoking performance of I’m Going Home and Laura Harrison’s vocal as the Usherette (and Magenta) is clear cut beauty in vocal form.
My eyebrows were certainly quizzically raised at the set design at the beginning of the show with a rather basic, flat car to introduce our two main stars, but thankfully arrival at the castle soothed all wrinkles as greater sophistication, colour and light was introduced against which the cast could sizzle and sidle…and sometimes backflip. There was some later, presumably unintended, hilarity when the dry ice completely consumed the ground floor audience – who refused to take it quietly. This show is such a great tonic for anyone needing to liberate their inner feather boa and just revel in the silly, raunchy fun and innuendo. The musical score makes your soul sing and no one can resist the Time Warp surely? A great cast performance from all involved.
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 6 January 19
Reviewed by Leanne Caplis
4****
Qdos Entertainment brings this year’s pantomime, Dick Whittington, The London Palladium Production, to the Mayflower Southampton.
The show sees Dick Whittington (Joe McElderry) on his adventure to become Mayor of London whilst trying to get Alice (Suzanne Shaw) to fall for his charm. Can The Spirit of the Bells (Sheila Ferguson) guide him on his way and help him defeat King Rat (Steve McFadden) to achieve his goals?
Throughout the show it is impossible not to be amazed at the staging, set design and visual special effects provided by Ian Westbrook and The Twins FX. A real sensory treat for all ages, whether you had a huge 3D rat staring directly in your face or a bus flying overhead that you felt you could touch – everything was top draw!.
Joe’s voice in particular was outstanding, and the clever use of well-known songs had the audience singing along. Both Joe and Suzanne deserve a mention for their parts in this show. There were several moments of unease when Sheila seemed to forget her lines or place on stage, but these were quickly forgotten about with the clever improvisation of all adding some pure entertainment.
Lots of cabaret moments made the story hard to follow and the lengthy set of Idle Jack greeting the audience at the end and singing his kangaroo song seemed misplaced and too lengthy. It seemed a lot of wasted time for nothing in return other than the reappearance of the cast to take a bow. Perhaps a full cast sing-a-long would have been a more fitting end.
For me the stand out star of the show was Bobby Davro. Bravo to him for his energy, quick one liners and facial expressions. The comedy within the pantomime is superb and by the end my cheeks and tummy hurt from laughing. Although this was the story of Dick Whittington at times you could be excused for thinking it was the Bobby Davro show. Some may find the adult humour a bit daring at times and perhaps too obvious to the younger audience.
An all-star line-up with good comedy moments means this show is worth a watch and I recommend it to young and old alike
Cinderella is known as ‘the greatest panto of them all’ is a story we all know, and the York Grand Opera house has chosen it for this years pantomime. This is my third year reviewing the YGOH panto and it also happens to be done by Three Bears Productions, each year we are given a family friendly panto with an all singing all dancing cast alongside humour to make the adults laugh.
This year has topped the other panto York Grand Opera House held in the previous years; With a solid cast and dame that seems to get cheekier and cheekier, Steve Wickenden has me in stitches from laughing at the adult humour put in the play. Wickenden played one of the ugly step-sisters called Calpol, normally there would be Ken Morley as the other sister however due to illness there was only one sister in the show, I was disappointed as Ken has been a staple for the panto for the time I’ve reviewed and I wish him a recovery so he can continue to make the audience laugh. The cast has a few celebrities in its ranks, with Michelle Heaton from Liberty X as the Fairy Godmother and Channel 5’s Milkshake Amy Thomson. The character of Buttons played by Martin Daniels gave a lot of energy to the play and made sure the kids were all entertained, he did a great job of making sure the kids were awake and taking part in the panto. The whole cast worked together really well to compensate for not having one ugly sister and the show felt like nothing was missing.
The set was just what you would expect from a pantomime; camp, crazy and glittery, with the magic of Martin Daniels throughout the show we were surprised and with a hilarious rendition of the 12 days of Christmas, which included a bra that was made for 3. Just as Cinderella is going to the ball we see her ride off in a lifelike horse that can actually trot along a beautiful light up pumpkin wagon, a moment to truly remind us of the magic of theatre and Christmas. Now no panto this year would be complete without a rendition of Baby Shark, and the audience got to sing along at the end of the show.
The York Grand Opera House panto get better year after year, as does its Dame. I was laughing and so was the audience, if you have kids bring them to this panto as I’m sure they will love every second, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy the tongue-in-cheek comedy that is hidden from the kids.
Director: Caroline Steinbeis; Designer: Lucy Osborne; Lighting Designer: Johanna Town
Composer: Oliver Vibrans; Sound Designer: Nick Greenhill; Casting Director: Vicky Richardson
Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres, Robert Hastie, today announces the full casting for Caroline Steinbeis’ major revival of Githa Sowerby’s Rutherford and Son. Steinbeis directs Esh Alladi (Richard), Laura Elphinstone(Janet), Brian Lonsdale (Martin), Marian McLoughlin (Ann), Ciarán Owens (John), Lizzie Roper (Mrs Henderson), Danusia Samal (Mary) and Owen Teale (Rutherford).
“No one’s any right to be what father is – never questioned, never answered back”
1912, the Industrial North
Rutherford is overbearing, dogmatic and disappointed. With three grown children and not one qualified to take over his family-owned glassworks, he rules his household with tyranny and disdain. Janet, John and Richard have dreams of their own but none can break free.
Mary is different. Married into the family and with ambitions for her son, she’ll untangle the ties that bind. Caroline Steinbeis directs Githa Sowerby’s celebrated classic about the struggle for supremacy, legacy and deciding one’s own destiny.
Githa Sowerby (1876 – 1970) was a British playwright whose first play Rutherford and Son was originally performed in 1912. Published under her initials GK Sowerby, it was assumed the writer was a man, until the press discovered her identity and Sowerby became an overnight celebrity and feminist icon as Rutherford and Son transferred into the West End. Her other plays included Before Breakfast, A Man and Some Women, Sheila, The Stepmother and The Policeman’s Whistle.
Esh Alladi plays Richard. For theatre, his work includes Absolute Hell, The Beaux Stratagem, Dara (National Theatre), Twelfth Night (RSC), Lions and Tigers (Shakespeare’s Globe), Nell Gwynn (Shakespeare’s Globe & ETT), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (New Wolsey Theatre), The Home in Between (Theatre Royal Stratford East) and Wit (Royal Exchange Manchester). For television, his work includes A Confession, Apple Tree House and Houdini and Doyle; and for film Normal People and Christmas at the Palace.
Laura Elphinstone plays Janet. Her theatre credits include Young Marx (Bridge Theatre), My Country (National Theatre and tour), Jane Eyre (Bristol Old Vic and National Theatre), Romeo and Juliet (Rose Theatre Kingston), The White Devil (RSC), Love and Information (Royal Court) and Top Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre and Trafalgar Studios). For television, her work includes Game of Thrones, Chernobyl, My Country, Vera, The Trail: A Murder in the Family, Call the Midwife, Wendy and Peter, and Esio Trot; and for film, Military Wives Choir, Peterloo, Leave to Remain and History Boys.
Brian Londsdale plays Martin. His theatre credits include Othello (ETT), My Romantic History, The Boy on the Swing (Live Theatre), Pound Look (Gala Theatre), Noises Off (Nottingham Playhouse/Nuffield Southampton Theatres), Martyr (Unicorn Theatre), War Horse (National Theatre), Diary of a Football Nobody (Nottingham Playhouse) and The Pitmen Painters (Duchess Theatre/ UK tour/ Manhattan Theatre Club, Broadway). For television, his work includes Hustle; and for film, The Other Possibility and Goal!.
Marian McLoughlin returns to Sheffield Theatres to play Ann – she previously appeared in Love and Information. Her other theatre credits include Edmond (Royal Court), After the Fall (National Theatre), Winter Solstice (ATC Theatre), The Girls (Phoenix Theatre), Henry V, Bartholomew Fair (National Theatre), The Playboy of the Western World (Riverside Studios) and Milkwood Blues (Lyric Studio, Hammersmith). Her television credits include Defending the Guilty, Le Cop, Spy, Doctors, Boomers, Truckers, Born to Run, Thin Ice, William and Mary, Home Time, Grafters, Kinsey and Castles.
Ciarán Owens returns to Sheffield Theatres to play John – he previously appeared in Love and Information. His other theatre credits include Tumulus (Vault Festival), Abigail’s Party (Theatre Royal Bath), The Brink (Orange Tree Theatre), Disco Pigs (JMK Winner – UK & Ireland tour), So Here We Are(Royal Exchange/HighTide), The Crocodile (Invisible Dot/Manchester International Festival), King John (Shakespeare’s Globe), A Handful of Stars (Theatre503/Trafalgar Studios), Oh What a Lovely War (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Candide, Titus Andronicus, A Mad World My Masters (RSC), Our Country’s Good (Out of Joint) and Mercury Fur (Old Red Lion/Trafalgar Studios). Television credits include The Last Kingdom, Strike Back, Crazyhead, Arthur & George, Spotless,Wallander and The Inbetweeners; and for film his credits include Red Joan and Where Hands Touch.
Lizzie Roper plays Mrs Henderson. Her theatre work includes The Libertine (Theatre Royal Bath), Julie Burchill: Absolute Cult (Gilded Balloon), Queen of the Nile (Hull Truck), Stepping Out (Salisbury Playhouse) and The Hairy Ape (Southwark Playhouse). Her television work includes Til Death Us Do Part, Boy Meets Girl, Hollyoaks (as series regular Sam Lomax), Call the Midwife, Dead Boss and Homeboys; and for film, Soul Reaper, The Arborand Angus, Things and Full Frontal Snogging.
Danusia Samal plays Mary. She is an actress, writer, and singer/songwriter. Her acting credits for theatre include How to Hold Your Breath, B (Royal Court Theatre), Two Noble Kinsmen, The Rover (RSC), The Odyssey(Shakespeare’s Globe), Billy the Girl (Soho Theatre) and The House That Will Not Stand (Tricycle Theatre). Her television credits include Tyrant; and for film her credits include Ghost in the Shell and My Friend the Polish Girl. She is a resident playwright with Tamasha and alumna of Soho Theatre’s Writer’s Lab. Other writing credits include Busking It (HighTide and Shoreditch Town Hall), Conditionally (Soho Theatre/Oxford School of Drama), Langthorne Stories (Soho Theatre/ Waltham Forest) and Las Americas Above (Chaskis Theatre).
Owen Teale plays Rutherford. His theatre work includes No Man’s Land (UK Tour andWyndham’s Theatre), The Broken Heart (Shakespeare’s Globe), Under Milk Wood, Mary Stuart, Macbeth (Theatr Clwyd), Creditors(Donmar Warehouse/Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York), The Dance of Death (Lyric Theatre), Ivanov(National Theatre), The Country (Royal Court) and A Doll’s House (Playhouse Theatre, West End and Broadway). For television, his work includes Deep State, Jerusalem, Pulse, Game of Thrones, River, Stella, Line of Duty, The Hollow Crown, Silk, Torchwood; and for film, Tolkein, Nocturne, The Fold, Hunky Dory, Love Me Forever, Conspiracy, King Arthur and Robin Hood.
Sheffield Theatres Associate Director Caroline Steinbeis directs, following her regional première production of Caryl Churchill’s Love and Information in the last season. She was the recipient of the 2009 JMK Award and was previously on attachment at the National Theatre and in 2008 completed the Director’s Course at the NT Studio. She was International Associate at the Royal Court under Dominic Cooke, developing and directing workshops and new plays from all over the world. Her previous credits include Edward II (Arts Theatre, Cambridge), The Tempest (Royal & Derngate), The Crucible and Brilliant Adventures (Royal Exchange Manchester), We Want You to Watch (National Theatre), The Broken Heart (Shakespeare’s Globe), Show 6 of Secret Theatre (Lyric Hammersmith), Talk Show, Mint and A Time to Reap (Royal Court), Earthquakes in London(National Theatre as Associate, and the UK tour director), Fatherland (Gate Theatre and Radical Jung Festival, Munich) and Mad Forest (BAC for which she won the 2009 JMK Award).
The winner of 2018 Strictly Come Dancing and Strictly favourite, Kevin Clifton, is set to BURN THE FLOOR in 2019…. BBC Strictly Come Dancing winner, Kevin Clifton, is set to headline the World’s leading Ballroom dance show, BURN THE FLOOR, when it tours the UK in 2019. The ever popular professional dancer, who has performed in BURN THE FLOOR on Broadway, the West End, and all over the World, credits the show for igniting a spark in him and changing him as a performer.
“Burn The Floor is the show that ignited a spark in me and changed me forever as a performer.” Kevin Clifton
Kevin will be joined by Strictly’s newest pro, Italian heart-throb, Graziano Di Prima, in the show that has revolutionised Ballroom style over the last two decades. Combining jaw-dropping choreography and ground-breaking moves, BURN THE FLOOR will bring their famous, infectious and rebellious energy to the stage in their first ever UK tour. From seriously romantic Waltz, to a futuristic Foxtrot, the passion of the Tango and Paso Doble cut right through. You will revel in the emotional power of the Cha Cha, the Samba and Jive, and be left breathless by the smoking, irresistible Rumba.
“Through Broadway, West End and touring all over the world this show has ripped apart the rule book, revolutionised our genre and inspired and shaped me as the dancer I am today. In 2019 I am delighted to say I am coming ‘home’ to BURN THE FLOOR.” Kevin Clifton
With Kevin headlining this electrifying production, along with lights, costumes and eclectic live music, it will have you leaping out of the seat to join in. Not just a “feel-good” performance, but a seriously “feel-fantastic” show!
Don’t miss your chance to experience the pure dance joy of BURN THE FLOOR.
Clifton himself says he is ‘coming home’ to BURN THE FLOOR. The 35 date 2019 UK tour runs from the 18th April through to 8th June, opening at The Atkinson,Southport and closing in Kevin’s home town of Grimsby at the Grimsby Auditorium.
“I doubt I will ever see a better production in my lifetime”
WALL STREET JOURNAL
Following the critically acclaimed Broadway smash hit run of the THE KING AND I and its box office sold out record breaking season at the world famous London Palladium,comes the announcement that the multi Tony Award winning production will now embark on a major UK tour from Spring 2019.
Reprising his critically acclaimed Broadway performance as The King will be Jose Llana* and performing as Anna, fresh from her West End success, will be Annalene Beechey*.
This unmissable, majestic production will open in Manchester in April 2019, and then visit Dublin, Sunderland, Edinburgh, Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Hull, Milton Keynes, Liverpool, Bristol, Woking and Southampton.
The news of the tour comes hot off the heels of the cinema release of the live production of THE KING AND I: FROM THE LONDON PALLADIUM, which has become the biggest live event in cinemas of 2018 following last week’s first global screenings. The production in cinemas has taken in excess of $2.5m at the box office already. In the UK the film reached the number one spot, with more than double the box office of the next film, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. More than 135,000 movie goers packed cinemas across the globe for the initial performance to watch THE KING AND I: FROM THE LONDON PALLADIUM – filmed on stage at the iconic London Palladium. Such has been the demand for tickets, Trafalgar Releasing has scheduled encore screenings both in the UK and globally throughout December and into 2019. The film has already broken all equivalent records.
The West End critics heaped praise on THE KING AND I, the Daily Mail “left the London Palladium on a bright cloud of music”, while the The Times awarded the show “Five stars for a sumptuous King and I” declaring it “a hit”. Daily Express hailed it “London’s theatrical event of 2018” whilst The Daily Telegraph concurred proclaiming the show “looks and sounds ravishing”. Another five stars were awarded from the Sunday Express and the Financial Times called it “simply spellbinding”.
Acclaimed Tony Award-winning Bartlett Sher will once again direct the production and be reunited with the celebrated creative team that brought this majestic production of THE KING AND I to life at the Palladium earlier this year.
Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children. With one of the finest scores ever written including: Whistle a Happy Tune, Getting to Know You and Shall We Dance, featuring a company of over 50 world-class performers, and full scale orchestra, THE KING AND I is a testament to the lavish heritage of gloriously romantic musical theatre – it is the greatest musical from the golden age of musicals.
Producer Howard Panter says: “The response from London audiences to this multi award-winning production ofTHE KING AND I was unprecedented. Critical plaudits, Box Office records and standing ovations at every show – we were overwhelmed with the rapturous response. Coupled with the reaction to the Global cinema screenings of the film version – which is the biggest theatre event in cinemas of the year and number one at the Box Office. This really is musical theatre at its very best, so we are thrilled that we can now share this wonderous production with theatre lovers up and down the country next year.”
THE KING AND I – 2019/2020 UK TOUR DATES
Theatre
Date
Manchester Opera House
26 April – 11 May 2019
Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre
21 May – 1 June 2019
Sunderland Empire
5 June – 15 June 2019
Edinburgh Playhouse
16 October – 26 October 2019
Leeds Grand Theatre
29 October – 9 October 2019
Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre
10 December 2019 – 4 January 2020
Cardiff Millenium Centre
8 January – 18 January 2020
Glasgow King’s Theatre
28 January – 8 February 2020
Hull New Theatre
11 February – 22 February 2020
Milton Keynes Theatre
25 February – 7 March 2020
Liverpool Empire Theatre
10 March – 21 March 2020
Bristol Hippodrome
24 March – 4 April 2020
Woking New Victoria Theatre
7 April – 18 April 2020
Southampton Mayflower Theatre
21 April – 2 May 2020
*Jose Llana and Annalene Beechey are currently scheduled to perform at Manchester, Dublin and Sunderland, with further dates to be announced
LISTINGS INFORMATION
To book tickets please visit: KingandIMusical.co.uk
The Grand Old Dame Of York, my my my, what a show. It has been 40 years of the same old self proclaimed rubbish and I would have to say the best 40 years a Dame can have. York Theatre Royal like pretty much all theatres have a pantomime over the Christmas period, however year in year out their panto stands out from the masses, being both chaotic and incredibly hilarious. Berwick Kaler has held the mantle of the Dame for 40 years, with this run being his last as Dame. A legendary performer backed by an equally talented cast. I am so glad that I have had the privilege to review the YTR panto for the past 3 years and got to experience a huge part of York’s Christmas tradition.
With Kaler playing the Dame, we already know the show is going to have constant laughs from start to finish. But this isn’t a one man show, nor is it a one man carrying the show, this is a cast that creates an amazing show with the stage being shared and given life from all members. One thing I love about watching the YTR panto is the returning faces, we get to see David Leonard play the villain one again, Suzi Cooper playing the lead female and Martin Barrass taking on the role of the son. Every year I get just as confused and just as entertained, I’m amazed at how a show so crazy and so unpredictable can flow and work, I don’t think I’ll ever know but it’s something that YTR does.
This year we aren’t given a normal panto plot instead we have a very special sending off to Berwick as we watch as the villain tries to stop happiness from existing in Yorkshire, all the while Kaler is trying to write the play for this years pantomime. Don’t ask me to try and explain I don’t think anyone is capable of such a task. From the water chucking to A.J. Powell dressing up in a female nurse outfit, there is never a dull moment in the play. The costumes as grand as ever and the stage sparkly and fun it’s spectacle for the eyes. That’s not to say the music was bad, we are given twist on songs such as baby shark, and a nod to the Little Shop of Horrors with the dentist song, yes the villain is also a dentist.
I don’t know how to end this review, as you should already be at the theatre watching this show, it’s a great send of to Berwick, and a part of York that the world enjoys to watch. I couldn’t stop laughing throughout the show and I’m sure you’ll be the same, I’m glad there isn’t another show like this because I doubt they could ever to it properly.
On a cold December morning the last thing most people want to do is sit in a theatre with a lot of children under 5 whilst watching a show aimed at a young audience. However, Peppa Pig does have a lot of funny moments for both children and adults.
Peppa Pigs Adventure is really good. If you’re 4. The members of the audience sat around me enjoyed joining in with looking for Peppa on the stage, singing the songs and laughing at the jokes. The characters of Peppa and George pig, Suzie sheep, Pedro pony and Gerald giraffe are large puppets on wheels operated by actors standing behind them and wheeling them around but in the eyes of a little child all they can see is Peppa and her friends.
The character of Daisy, the only human in the show, is played by Bronte Tadman. A special mention must be given to the fact that she managed to remain perky and very energetic throughout the whole show. Tadman interacted with the children throughout the show and was clearly the real star of the show, not Peppa.
The scenery is basic but the theatre is home to a musical on an evening so most of the backdrop is a rather large white sheet. The whole of the stage is used for the scenes and buildings such as the school look exactly like they do in the TV programme.
The highlight of the show had to be Santa on stage with Peppa Pig (and friends) singing Jingle Bells, which a lot of the children joined in with.
All in all Peppa Pig’s Adventure is good and makes a brilliant first theatre show for children.
When you get told by an 8 year old that Awful Auntie is about a child trying to escape her Auntie with the help of a ghost and an owl you know you need a show just to understand the plot.
Set in and around Saxby Hall, Awful Auntie stars Georgina Leonidas as 12 year old orphan Stella Saxby who tries to escape her Auntie whilst trying to work out how her parents really died. Stella is helped by the ghost of Soot (Ashley Cousins) and Wagner the owl (Roberta Bellekom).
The awful auntie in question is Aunt Alberta played by Richard James, who is trying to find the deeds to Saxby Hall so she can sell it and turn it into an Owleum (and owl museum). However her star attraction would be Wagner stuffed and put on display which, rightly so, upsets Wagner meaning his allegiance switches from Alberta to Stella. Wagner is a very impressive puppet operated by Roberta Bellekom whose owl impressions sound like the real thing and the role is not used enough throughout the show.
The scenery is basic but impressive with 3 rotating towers that rotate to be Stella’s bedroom, the kitchen, the cellar, the garage and the study to name a few.
The highlight of the show for the entire audience was David Walliams appearing on stage at the end of the show thanking the cast and announcing that he was the new Prime Minister of the UK due the recent vote of no confidence.
Awful Auntie is fun for all the family as there are jokes for children and adults and a reference to The Shining which the adults in the audience found amusing.
