The classic tale of Cinderella is a perfect starting point for adding sparkle to the season and this production certainly adds that. With a cast starring Lisa George, David Ashley and Ben Goffe it also offers the classic pantomime combination of silliness, song, slapstick and shout outs. Even the ugly sisters are appropriately named ‘Siri’ and ‘Alexa’.
The theatre itself is a perfect setting for a full experience of audience participation, including enabling the cast to run around the audience during some parts of the performance. Everyone feels invested in the singing and interaction with the cast.
The storyline is of course familiar to most but as with every good panto, there’s a Dame thrown into the mix; Mollie Miggins (played by David Ashley). Paired with Buttons (played by Ben Goffe), every scene that is delivered by the duo is full of fun. Hearing all generations laughing at their nonsense really reminds you that pantomime really is for everyone.
So far as the set design is concerned, no expense has been spared. Every set is joyful and dreamlike and if you are hoping for the ‘wow’ factor, you will not be disappointed by the magical horse and carriage that takes Cinderella to the ball. I am sure that every princess loving member of the audience was blown away by it and quite possibly still talking about it.
The musical elements of the production include songs that add another dimension to each scene and engage everyone in singing along or dancing in their seats. By the end you feel as though you have been as involved in this fairytale as Cinderella herself.
If you have never been to panto before, then this is the perfect introduction. Prepare to fall in love with the magic!
Festival Theatre, Malvern – until 5th January 2025
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
4****
Panto season returns to Malvern tonight – and this year’s show, Sleeping Beauty, has a lot to live up to following last year’s sparkling Cinderella.
The opening number showed one of the great strengths of the production – with our titular lady in fine voice and the ensemble dancers showing fine form. Then there’s Carabosse’s opening aria (and it was an aria) giving us Jordan Lee Davies amazing voice. He was also appearing to relish the dark side of the hissable lead – with a really enjoyable maniacal laugh in place. In many ways, like Batman’s universe, it’s the quality of the villain that propels the story and tonight we had a strong showing.
Princess Rose, played by Ellie Dadd, headed the cast and gave us a charming leading lady. A lovely voice and fine dancing were the surprise. What wasn’t a surprise was the quality of her acting – with her years in Eastenders standing her in good stead. Her leading man, Prince Vincent (Alexander Emery), was her equal in charm and they made a handsome, believable couple. I enjoyed his bringing in many elements from other sources – principally Monty Python’s Holy Grail’s horses (those in the know will get a warm glow from this).
Mark James returns to the Pantoverse as Chester the Jester. Always a joy and very funny. He was another of the undoubted highlights and his catchphrase “where’s my mates?” was easy to answer – such a likable presence had mates throughout the auditorium.
The rest of the cast were superb too – The King (Mark Llewelyn Evans) had a magnificent voice, Fairy Snowfall (Shani Cantor) delivery was spot on and Nanny Nora (Phillip Arran) had as fine a line in double entendre’s as she did her wardrobe… Wonderful one and all.
The costumes were sumptuous, the sets grand enough to evoke all the regal kingdom spaces necessary and the orchestra sounded much more expansive than the modest forces of just 3 musicians! A fabulous spectacle was put on – and adding much towards that was the front screen projection special effects which were genuinely very impressive. I particularly loved the Superman inspired flying scene/travels through time, which warmed my heart greatly – so kudos to the production team and the actor performing that (I won’t give spoilers).
If I were to have one slight criticism I would say that the script takes a while (perhaps necessarily) to lay out the narrative and get to the rip roaring jokes. When they arrive they are typical of the genre and mostly fairly well telegraphed so for me the greatest pleasure was in the cast ad-libs and the bits that look like they’ve gone slightly wrong. I hope that as the show beds in for its run it doesn’t lose this spontaneity.
A very good show that will appeal to young in years as well as the young at heart. It’s Panto; so you know what you’re getting. If you love Panto you will love this one. Once again Malvern Theatre excels and I’m sure that tickets will sell like hot cakes so I’d encourage everyone to get in quick!
Rapunzel (Megan Crossland) loves reading, she’s reads anything and everything from mysteries and fairytales to cookbooks and poems, and she really likes Christmas as well and wants to leave her house and experience it in other places but something is stopping her. Her Mum (Amy Thompson) has tried everything to get Rapunzel to leave the comfort of her books and her bedroom but she really can’t. She would much rather read her books and disappear into a fantasy world where she feels safe and anyway, she needs to sort out her very, very long unruly hair before she can go anywhere!
Six days before Christmas she is looking out of her bedroom window and sees someone in the garden, it’s Robin (Jo Patmore) who is with their teddy bear, Theo. Robin is making up a story and when they spot Rapunzel they try and get them involved, asking them to add something to the story. Rapunzel is used to reading about things so getting her to make up her own story is a struggle.
Rapunzel’s Mum sees Robin and, without Rapunzel knowing, asks them if they will come back the next day as she really needs a friend, and this might make her come outside. Mum also says that if they will come back that she will give them a Christmas present! So, will Robin be able to help Rapunzel? Will she be brave enough to come outside?
Rapunzel is a delightful production which was written and directed by Tom Saunders. This would be an ideal introduction to theatre for young children. It has a very talented cast, an easy-to-follow storyline, a great set and costumes (designed by Amy Watts) singing, dancing and lots of audience participation! It was a lovely way to spend an hour and I would 100% recommend this fabulous show. Catch it while you can!
Richmond Theatre brings you this year’s pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, written by Alan McHugh and directed by Paul Robinson. Based on the well-known Disney classic, Belle’s birthday has arrived and all she would like is a single red rose, like her father used to give her. Her mother goes to the nearby castle to find a rose, unaware that the castle and its master, Prince Sebastian, are enchanted. The Prince is now a Beast, cursed by an enchantress, who has to learn that true beauty lies within and find true love before the last petal on a magic rose falls in order to lift the curse. Can the spell be broken? Or is the Prince destined to live as a beast forever?
Silly Billy (Pete Firman) is Belle’s (Hope Dawe) best friend, who works in the castle with his mum Mrs Potty (Maureen Lipman), but he is secretly in love with Belle. Belle also has to fend off the unwanted affections of Flash Harry (Jason Leigh Winter) who is vain, arrogant and out to destroy the Beast in order to win Belle’s heart.
Silly Billy makes a memorable entrance onto the stage in the dark, on what appears to be a motorbike, but is in fact the first of many classic panto gags. Billy is a lovable character whose cheesy jokes, magic tricks and pantomime humour had the audience laughing, and participating in the performance, both adults and children alike. Mrs Potty and Betty Bouffant (Ben Stock) Belle’s mum are the quintessential pantomime dames, with bright, gaudy and flamboyant costumes, wigs and tongue-in-cheek one-liners. Both are entertaining characters and bounce off of each other and Billy in the scenes they share, with some very memorable moments. A special mention must be made of their highly comical tongue twister, which whilst impressive in itself, became even funnier when the three were unable to keep a straight face and complete their lines!! Despite this being every actor’s worst nightmare, together they were able to continue the scene with quick thinking ad-libbed one liners, whilst in fits of laughter, which caused the audience to laugh even harder.
Flash Harry absorbed every single boo and hiss from the audience with obvious enjoyment, even encouraging the audience to shout louder. His pursuit of Belle was as obvious as you would expect, oozing blind self-confidence in how attractive he was and of course how he was clearly the only romantic choice for Belle.
In comparison, Prince Sebastian / the Beast (Luke McCall) was Flash Harry’s polar opposite – when he stopped roaring! Both Flash Harry and Prince Sebastian have strong singing voices and played their roles well.
Belle was as lovable a character as you would expect, with a lovely singing voice and cheery disposition. The story was narrated by The Enchantress (Cherece Richards), who also acted as a reminder to Prince Sebastian of his goal, lack of progress and sometimes conscience. The Enchantress had a very powerful singing voice which was highlighted very well in a number of songs.
The costumes were very creative, especially the ones the ensemble cast used to portray the wolf attack!
This production was classically entertaining, with a certain charm, which took me back to my childhood, and whilst it didn’t blow the audience away it is a great example of wholesome pantomime fun for the whole family.
Alphabetti Theatre Newcastle open Tyne – until 21st December 2024
Reviewed by Sandra Little
5*****
Recommended age for this show is 16+
This Christmas offering from Alphabetti is an absolute delight! It’s a laugh out loud experience from start to finish and a brilliantly different take on the usual Christmas themes. It’s written by Coggin Galbreath and based on an all American pageant with the main character Pati Boo Rae (played by Coggin Galbreath) assuming that once again she will be a clear winner in this competition. Patti who hails from Texas and appears to be self obsessed, has won the competition for the past five years and is confident that the candy cane crown for this year’s pageant is, without doubt, hers for the taking.
There is a nod in this show, to all of the pageant classics including an interview involving a member of the audience, a hilarious swimsuit routine, an evening wear scene and a talent scene. When asked during her interview who is her role model Patti replies, “Baby Jesus.” Suffice to say her explanation for choosing Baby Jesus is is a laugh out loud moment.
Unfortunately for Patti, her assumption of further success in the pageant is threatened when a late entry rival in the form of Betty Thunderthighs is allowed to join the competition. Patti’s protests about rule breaking are dismissed and a vote is arranged to choose the winner. Betty of course, looks stunning in her sparkly Christmas dress with white fur cape and lavish jeweller; her make up is a superb artistic creation which adds to the drama. Although Betty didn’t join Patti on stage for a while, she made her presence felt when she did arrive, particularly with her facial expressions. The involvement of Betty definitely adds to the melodrama of the show.
Patti delivered some classic Christmas songs with great style, beginning with Jingle Bell Rock and moving on to Santa Baby. However, my favourite routine had to be Patti’s take on “You Can Take Your hat off” which was delivered with the help of a brave member of the audience and was extremely funny.
In between the high energy on stage performance there are video clips of Patti in different situations and during one of these clips we learn that the pageant is being sponsored by Tupperware! The technical expertise of Nick Tyler (stage manager and technician) guarantees a smooth transition from live show to video clip.
Patti is joined by a different special guest artist each night at Alphabetti so no two shows are the same. However, I am sure that each show will be a real treat.
Judging by audience reaction I don’t think I was the only person having a great night at Alphabetti. People embraced the audience participation aspect of the show with enthusiasm and the singalongs were great fun.
As one would imagine, camp doesn’t come close to describing the style of this show. It was a feel good, laugh a minute, high energy offering that was a delight from start to finish. I have no qualms about giving a 5 star rating.
Simon Friend Entertainment and Josh Andrews Productions today confirm that Louisa Lytton – best-known for her starring roles as Ruby Allen in Eastenders – is set to star as Rachel Watson at certain dates in a new UK tour of the smash-hit Wiltshire Creative Production of The Girl on the Train. Her performances in the gripping thriller, based on the internationally acclaimed number one best-selling novel by Paula Hawkins begin at Chester’s Storyhouse Theatre on 15 April 2025.
Rachel Watson longs for a different life. Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love. Or so it appears. When Rachel learns that the woman she’s been secretly watching has suddenly disappeared, she finds herself as a witness and even a suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could ever have anticipated.
The completing company cast member, also announced today, are Daniel Burke as Kamal Abdic, Zena Carswell as Anna Watson, Samuel Collings as Scott Hipwell, Natalie Dunne as Megan Hipwell, Paul McEwan as DI Gaskill and Jason Merrells* as Tom Watson (*until 29 March 2025).
The international phenomenon – which has sold over 20 million copies worldwide and inspired the Dreamworks film starring Emily Blunt – enjoyed a box-office record-breaking theatrical tour in 2019. Louisa joins the tour at Chester’s Storyhouse Theatre,(15 – 19 April 2025)before touring to Woking, New Victoria Theatre, 22 – 26 April 2025); Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre (29 April – 3 May 2025); Southend, Palace Theatre (6 – 10 May 2025); Liverpool, Playhouse Theatre (13 – 17 May 2025); Leicester, Curve Theatre (20 -24 May 2025) with her run concluding at the Cardiff, New Theatre (27 – 31 May 2025).
Louisa is best-known for playing the role of Ruby Allen for over two decades in BBC’s EastEnders. Her TV work includes; Murdoch Mysteries for Amazon Prime and Edge of Heaven for ITV. On stage she recently starred as Jenny in 2:22 A Ghost Story for a UK tour.
Produced by Simon Friend Entertainment and Josh Andrews Productions, the Wiltshire Creative Production of The Girl on the Train is written by Paula Hawkins, adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel, and is directed by Loveday Ingram.
OPENING AT BIRMINGHAM ALEXANDRA THEATRE ON SATURDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2025
Producers, Michael Harrison and David Ian are delighted to announce that the award-winning smash hit musical THE BODYGUARD will tour the UK and Europe in 2025/2026 opening at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre on Saturday 20 September 2025 where it runs until Saturday 27 September 2025 ahead of playing Blackpool, Oxford, Aberdeen, Milton Keynes and Zurich. 2025 Tour schedule below with further UK and European dates and casting to be announced soon. www.thebodyguardmusical.com
Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love. A romantic thriller, THE BODYGUARD features a host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, Run to You, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and one of the biggest hit songs of all time – I Will Always Love You.
Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. movie starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, THE BODYGUARD, directed by Thea Sharrock with book by Oscar winning Alex Dinelaris, had its world premiere at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End and was nominated for four Olivier Awards. A sell out 18 month UK and Ireland tour followed, before the show returned to the West End at the Dominion Theatre ahead of two further sell out tours of the UK and Ireland in 2018/19 and 2023.
To date, THE BODYGUARD has played to over 3.9 million people in 15 countries and 45 US cities. Countries include the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea, Canada, Italy, Australia, Spain, France, the US, Austria and Japan.
The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham – until 12 January 2025
Reviewed by Josie Aburrow Smith and Emmie (9 years old)
4****
We step into the very Glamorous GlosVegas where Window Twankey (Kevin Brewis) has 2 sons, Tweedy and Aladdin (Luke Suri). Aladdin’s love interest Jasmine (Samira Mighty) put on a fun performance of singing and dancing with the ensemble. There is also the baddie Abanazar (Miles Western) who is based on the King himself, Elvis. This was slightly lost on the younger members of the audience! Then there is also the Spirit of the Ring (Jessica Martin) who was great fun and whose costume and head gear was much appreciated by the 9 year olds. The story is loosely based on Arabian nights.
What did the 9 year old say? “Tweedy was so funny, he always makes us laugh. I really liked the glittery stage. The best bit is Aladdin on the flying carpet, I can’t say more as it will spoil it so you have to see it.”
Overall it was an enjoyable pantomime which was loved by all ages. Lots of fun singing and dancing, audience participation and many laugh out loud moments.
It does come with a Content Warning “Panto is a lot of fun, but sometimes it can be a little bit loud, and a little bit cheeky, with some jokes that only grown-ups will understand. Please bear this in mind if you are bringing anyone under the age of 5, or anyone with a nervous or more sensitive disposition”
The Speed of the panto is such that the more grown up jokes went totally over the head of my 9 year old.
The weather is very grey and drizzly at the moment so I recommend getting down to the Everyman for a colourful evening of laughter.
Sheffield Crucible – until Saturday 18 January 2025
5*****
We are going downtown to Skid Row, this Christmas at Sheffield Crucible. To the home of Mushnik’s Flower shop. Business is bad and Mr Mushnik is considering closing up, leaving staff members Audrey jobless and Seymour both homeless and jobless. Audrey is in a relationship with Dentist Orin, who likes to inflict pain and Seymour is in love with Audrey. But it all changes when Seymour finds an interesting plant which he names Audrey II.
This Sheffield Theatre Production version is wonderful, being played in the round.
Sam Buttery is a Diva of the highest order as AudreyII the blood sucking, man eating plant. With Colin Ryan’s Seymour being lovably nerdy, and incredibly brave. Georgina Onuorah shines as Audrey, bringing the house down with “Somewhere That’s Green” and “Suddenly Seymour”. Wilf Scolding is utterly mad as the semi-sadist Dentist, Orin.
Mr Mushnik (Michael Matus), hams up his greedy shopkeeper, surrounded by singers Crystal (Charlotte Jaconelli), Chiffon (Paige Fenlon) and Ronette (Lizzy Rose Ein Kelly) who help to move the plot along. But all the ensemble bring life to this Little Shop
Special mention must go to choreographer Jade Hackett, not just for the dancing but for the fluid of the movements of the plant. And Daisy Beattie and Seb Mayer for the amazing puppet design and direction. With Amy Hodge’s assured direction, Chris Poon’s musical direction (and the stunning live band), and Georgia Lowe’s design, this is a stunning staging of Little Shop of Horrors.
I hope there can be more life in this production, maybe a tour or a London residency because this Little Shop deserves a huge future
The new musical, Freaky Friday, based on the beloved 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, which has captured the hearts of generations, will be having its UK stage premiere next year at HOME Manchester. Presented by Paul Taylor-Mills (The Lightning Thief/Heathers), tickets will go on-sale from 10 am on Friday 13 December, and casting will be announced in due course.
Freaky Friday will be directed by Andy Fickman, known for bringing the cult-classic Heathers from screen to stage and features a book by Bridget Carpenter, acclaimed co-executive producer and writer of beloved television series Friday Night Lights and Parenthood. The musical boasts an extraordinary score by the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning team of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal, If/Then).
When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again.
By spending a day in each other’s shoes, Katherine and Ellie come to appreciate one another’s struggles, learn self-acceptance, and realize the immeasurable love and mutual respect that bond a mother and daughter.
Freaky Friday the musical is a heartfelt, comedic, and unexpectedly emotional update on an American classic. This vibrant musical reimagines the iconic body-swapping tale with a fresh contemporary score and feel-good moments that are perfect for the whole family.
Now, it’s time for Manchester audiences to experience the magic, music, and mayhem of Freaky Friday the musical.
