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The POD, Iris Theatre – until 11 December 2021

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

3***

Travelling back to their family home for Christmas, Blake, Laura and Mia find out that their Nanna Sue will be there. This could well be her last Christmas, so they want to give her something special, so their standby novelty lip balm won’t do. Mia suggests they perform one of the Nativity plays they performed as children.

There are lots of laughs in Eden Tredwell’s bittersweet comedy as the trio perform their Nativity with bedsheets and Leprechaun hats as costumes. But as Blake (Charlie Archer) works his way through the script with a bottle of wine to get rid of his nerves, he changes from sarcastic but charmingly nervous into a more belligerent and intolerant character, opening old wounds and grudges that halt the show. Laura Pigott has a ball with Mia’s theatrical affectations and egocentricity –she feels that Mary would have expressed her emotions through song on the long journey to Bethlehem, so performs a hilarious power ballad. Laura (Sarah Whitehouse) has obviously played peacemaker between her brother and sister all their lives, but she can’t fix this rift, not even with the annual family Secret Santa.

The cast have wonderful chemistry and are thoroughly believable as siblings. Eden Tredwell excels in differentiating the childish Nativity script with their adult bickering and silly family traditions. Director Jack Bence keeps the action authentically shambolic until things break down into stillness and silence as truths hit home. The siblings’ quiet acceptance that they have drifted apart and don’t really know or understand each other anymore is nicely understated. The contrast between the festive shenanigans and the arguments darkens the mood until a quiet but uplifting Christmas song brings everybody together – capturing the emotional highs and lows that a day trapped with family members you see only once a year can cause.

The Last Nativity is full of ridiculous moments – a very funny dysfunctional family Christmas.

The Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield – until 3rd January 2022

Reviewed by Sophie Dodworth

4****

The Lyceum is feeling festive and flamboyant with the annual Christmas pantomime in full swing. There is a real buzz in the auditorium and what a bonus to have the audience (mainly led by the school groups) sing along to ‘All I Want for Christmas’. The energy is already oozing out of all possible places…helped along by the musicians smartly placed in the boxes next to the stage.

Paul Hendy has written a strong and engaging script, feeling punchy, modern and majestic. There isn’t really any down time or periods where you were wishing that things would hurry along. The story of Sleeping Beauty and her ever long sleep induced by the witch, manipulating her in to pricking her own finger, poisoning her; and then sleeping for 100 years while she waits for a prince to kiss her back to life, is intact, just with a modern spin. And lots of current and possibly controversial-to-some references.

The cast were excellent, all so very committed and ready to execute their roles with gust. Fairy Moonbeam (Janine Duvitski) drew you in right from the start, many of the kids warming to her and getting excited when she appeared back on. She almost made the production that bit more comforting. Nurse Nellie (Damian Williams) was your typical dame, as expected, lots of flirty references and gags galore. Jangles was played by Ben Thornton, the most energetic member of cast on stage! He really came across as enjoying the time he spends on stage which is so important to portray to your audience. Lucas Rush playing Carabosse really steals the show as the ‘baddie’! what a villain. Just a perfect match for this role and very convincing, some of the younger children really buying in to this scary man. Prince (Dominic Sibanda) and Beauty (Hannah Everest) make a really suitable pairing on the stage, both very sweet, beautiful voices and a charismatic duo. Two Cheeky Monkeys (the Dragon Keepers) must also get a very big mention, what a visual treat. Their displays with fire were jaw-dropping, very talented and a great touch for the pantomime.

The Musical Director (James Harrison) must get a mention for his contribution to the performance at the side of the stage, really adding to the atmosphere and giving it that something extra. The music was faultless and complemented the show while uplifting the audience, as did the choreography by Sarah Langley. Helga Wood and Terry Parsons did an outstanding job with the costumes, lots of fine detail and that didn’t go unnoticed, the glitter and sparkles were needed and appreciated.

Overall, a really solid pantomime with lots of content, keeping you on your toes, making you want to move your feet and having you leave the theatre with that warm, fuzzy feeling.

New Victoria Theatre, Woking – until 2 January 2022

Reviewed by Joanna Huggett.

5*****

My 10 year-old daughter Amelia and I went to see the panto, and we both really enjoyed it. We thought the set and costumes were colorful. The cast were very good at involving the audience, and the audience were very interactive in return. We found the show very funny and it had a real ‘feel good’ factor about it.

We enjoyed the music, and the pop songs sung by the cast. We particularly enjoyed ‘Dynamite’ sung by Prince Harry, played by Benjamin Purkiss. We also loved ‘You raise me up’ sung by the seven dwarfs. The dwarfs were played by Joe Thompson-Oubari, Matthew Chase, Jordan Dutton, Matt Faull, Thomas Kalek, Matthew Maddison, and Charlie Waddell.

In terms of performances, our favourite characters were Muddles, played by Aaron James, and the Man in the Mirror, played by Gok Wan. We enjoyed the jokes told by Aaron James, and thought he was very clever at remembering them all! And we thought his comic timing was excellent. We also loved seeing Gok Wan and found him very genuine with the audience and other actors alike. We enjoyed the performances of Queen Lucretia, played by Harriet Thorpe, and Snow White, played by Rebekah Lowings.

We liked the flying pterodactyl at the end of Act One. We also enjoyed the performance of the 12 days of Christmas in Act two, and the finale wedding scene. We thought the choreography of the ensemble was excellent throughout.

New Wimbledon Theatre – until 2^nd January 2022

Reviewed by Carly Burlinge 

5*****

Wimbledon brings this year’s pantomime of Dick Whittington a show for all with many laughs and much entertainment. Dick Whittington (Shane Richie) embarks on a journey from London town with Captain Cockles (Peter Piper) at his side that takes him to the high seas in order to save the town from the Evil Queen Rat (Rachel Izen). She wants to take over London with the help from her evil rodents!!! With guidance from Fairy Bow Bells (Shona White) will he be able to succeed and win the heart of the beautiful Alice (Hiba Elchikhe) and take her hand in marriage?!

Shane Richie gave an outstanding performance keeping both adults and children well entertained with a good mixture of adult humour thrown in, as well as watching every child in the audience smile from ear to ear. He’s certainly the main man throughout the show and does it with ease!

Peter Piper had a great connection on stage with Shane offering much enjoyment on the stage with the yearly audience participation of “Oh no it wasn’t – Oh yes it was” storyline. I can honestly say it put a big smile on my face watching the children get so involved. I’m pretty sure some of them must have lost their voices with the participation.

Alongside with the outrageous costumes full of glitter and glam, some astounding backdrops that just kept coming! Sparkling fireworks that lit the eyes of many and a floating motorbike that made this performance enchanting and spectacular to watch. Did I forget to mention The Kitty Cat (Briana Craig) that was mute throughout but provided some excellent movement with such ease which was mesmerising to watch.

Last of all what fabulous dancers with tremendous and remarkable choreography, they all had such a good connection on stage. The whole production was just outstanding and definitely put us in the Christmas spirit to start the season off. Truly Fantastic!

I’m pleased to share a statement from Theatres Trust following the government’s announcement today.

Jon Morgan, director of Theatres Trust, comments:

The new work from home advice is understandable in light of rising Covid-19 cases and the new Omicron variant, however it will have a big impact on the willingness of people to travel and go to theatres over Christmas. This will have a knock on effect on theatres’ viability at a vital time of year for the industry and Christmas shows that are just emerging from the significant loss of revenue in 2020 and early 2021. Theatres have put in place fully risk assessed precautions to ensure their productions and audiences are safe, and we hope that the promising audience trends we have seen over the late summer and early autumn can continue but new work from home guidance puts this at risk.  We hope the remaining Culture Recovery Fund money can be targeted swiftly to help theatres through this difficult period.

Bristol Hippodrome – until 2nd January 2022

Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock

4****

Panto is back in town-oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is! And this panto is a real treat!

Lesley Joseph joins Rob Rinder and Andy Ford as the front runners of Snow White, this winter in Bristol.

This is a real treat of a cast, with Hippodrome regular Andy Ford as the likeable comic, immediately building a seamless rapport with the audience and capturing the audience in a heartbeat. Together with Lesley Joseph, this duo has one of the best skits I have ever seen in a show-(Who, What, I Don’t Know!)-one that actually brought me to tears with laughter! A true pantomime genius!

Rinder commanded the stage with ease and it was difficult to believe that this was his first panto. The script alluded heavily to his legal career with multiple scenes containing legal jargon, that flew over the heads of the children. His appearance on BBC’s Strictly was also featured, with a dance battle against Ford being one of the hilarious scenes. As the ‘Man in the Mirror’ he was a great part of this show.

Lesley Joseph, as the looks-obsessed Queen Dragonella was a character the audience loved and loved to hate! She is obsessed with marrying Prince Harry (Dale Mathurin) and will stop at nothing to stop Snow White (Charlotte Haines) getting him first. Joseph was side splittingly funny and had some of the best scenes when intwined with Ford.

Haines and Mathurin as Snow White and Prince Harry served to be merely plot devices and seemed to be weaker than the other cast members. The script didn’t allow Haines to truly embrace the character however she did have a good voice when she was given the odd song to sing. Mathurin was strong, his vocals were good and he tried his hardest not to corpse when pitted against Ford and Joseph!

Technically, this was a feast for the eyes. With multiple pyrotechnics, sparkly costumes and even a dragon to soar above the audience, there is no contest that both children and adults alike will be enthralled with the performance.

One part I thoroughly enjoyed, was the cast introducing and thanking members of the creative team-something that certainly made me beam! If you fancy something camper than Christmas, filled with laughter, joy and innuendo along with technical brilliance and catchy songs-look no further than Bristol Hippodrome!

PRODUCTION IMAGES RELEASED OF

CABARET

AT THE KIT KAT CLUB

ATG Productions and Underbelly, the producers of CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB are delighted to reveal a selection of images of the production starring Eddie Redmayne as ‘The Emcee’, Jessie Buckley as ‘Sally Bowles’ and Omari Douglas as ‘Cliff Bradshaw’.

CABARET stars Eddie Redmayne as ‘The Emcee’, Jessie Buckley as ‘Sally Bowles’ Omari Douglas as ‘Cliff Bradshaw’, Liza Sadovy as ‘Fraulein Schneider’, Elliot Levey as ‘Herr Schultz’, Stewart Clarke as ‘Ernst Ludwig’ and Anna-Jane Casey as ‘Fraulein Kost’. The cast is completed by Josh Andrews, Emily Benjamin, Sally Frith, Matthew Gent, Emma Louise Jones, Ela Lisondra, Theo Maddix, Chris O’Mara, Daniel Perry, Andre Refig, Christopher Tendai, Bethany Terry, Lillie-Pearl Wildman and Sophie Maria Wojna.

www.kitkat.club

One of the most successful musicals of all time CABARET features the songs Wilkommen, Don’t Tell Mama, Mein Herr, Maybe This Time, Money and the title number. It has music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Joe Masteroff. Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood.

CABARET is directed by Rebecca Frecknall (the Almeida’s Olivier Award winning Summer and Smoke, The Duchess of Malfi, Three Sisters), set and costume design is by Tom Scutt (A Very Expensive Poison, Constellations, King Charles III, Jesus Christ Superstar, collaborations with Sam Smith, Christine and the Queens) with choreography by Julia Cheng (founder of the House of Absolute, Philharmonia Orchestra Artist in Residence, recipient of the runner-up prize for Hip Hop Dance futures, Resident Choreographer for the Royal Academy of Dance, Judge and mentor for BBC Young Dancer and Breakin’ Convention – the UK’s biggest Hip Hop Festival, collaborations with London Fashion Week, Google and Dr Martens). Musical supervision and direction is byJennifer Whyte (Les Misérables film, Caroline Or Change, Parade). Lighting design is by Isabella Byrd (Heroes of the Fourth Turning and Light Shining in Buckinghamshire – both in New York, Daddy – A Melodrama at the Almeida and The Flick at the National theatre) with sound design by Nick Lidster (City of Angels, Passion, Pacific Overtures and Parade at the Donmar Warehouse, Sweeney Todd and On The Town for English National Opera, A Chorus Line, Les Misérables and Miss Saigon). The casting director is Stuart Burt (& Juliet, The Drifters Girl and 2021 CDG Award for Best Casting in Theatre for Cyrano De Bergerac) and the associate director is Jordan Fein. Angus MacRae is the Prologue composer. Fight direction is by Jonathan Holby. The dialect coach is Michaela Kennen and the voice coaches are Claire Underwood and Mark Meylan.

CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions and Underbelly.

CLAUS THE MUSICAL

How the Boy became a Man. How the Man became a Legend

• WORLD PREMIERE OF CLAUS THE MUSICAL BASED ON THE L.FRANK BAUM CLASSIC TO OPEN AT THE LOWRY, SALFORD FROM 14 DECEMBER 2022 – 8 JANUARY 2023. TICKETS ON SALE AT 10AM TODAY FROM WWW.THELOWRY.COM

Produced by Aria Entertainment and Eilene Davidson Productions, the world premiere of Claus The Musical will open at The Lowry on 14 December 2022, with tickets on sale today at 10am. Directed by Kate Golledge, adapted for the stage by Simon Warne and with spellbinding music and lyrics from Andy Collyer, Claus The Musical brings to life the beloved L.Frank Baum children’s classic The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus in a show that will appeal to the child in everyone.  Full casting and creative team to be announced in due course.

Katy Lipson said: ‘Claus is such a special and important piece to me. It’s a piece that reminds me of my fondest memories of seeing a musical for the first time. When I first heard this score by Andy Collyer it inspired me to form my company Aria Entertainment so that I could one day produce it. I am therefore thrilled to finally be bringing this beautiful story to the stage in my hometown of Salford in partnership with Eilene Davidson productions.’

Eilene Davidson said: ‘I’m delighted to be bringing to the stage this beautiful Christmas tale evoking magical childhood memories.  I can’t wait to thrill a new generation with this joyful family musical based on the classic book by L. Frank Baum who also brought the world the universally adored The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.’ 

From the writer of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz comes the story of Santa Claus, the man who will be forever in our hearts and, on Christmas Eve, forever in our skies. Abandoned as a baby in the magical Forest of Burzee, he is gifted to Necile, a wood nymph, who showers him with love and names him Claus.  With a helping hand from the mystical inhabitants of the forest – Fairies, Knooks and Ryls – she teaches him that kindness is the most important lesson of all, a gift that Claus eventually shares with us, as he embarks on a journey to bring the miracle of Christmas to the whole world.

Steve, starring David Ames and Jenna
Russell, extended at Seven Dials Playhouse
by popular demand
Tuesday 8th February – Saturday 19th March 2022
1a Tower Street, London WC2H 9NP

Heartfelt, hysterical, and sharp-witted comedy, Steve has been extended until 19th March 2022 due to popular demand. Marking the launch of this exciting new venue in Covent Garden, the long awaited European premiere will run in London’s West End for two extra weeks this February

Directed by Andrew Keates (Director: Dark Sublime, Trafalgar Studios; As Is, Finborough Theatre; Dessa Rose, Trafalgar Studios. Performance Director Ghostbusters: The Gates Of Gozer, Secret Cinema), Steve illuminates LGBTQ+ relationships, both romantic and platonic. The play navigates the highs and lows of getting older, long-term friendship, monogamy, saying goodbye and being alive. Starring Holby City’s David Ames (The Temperamentals, Greenwich Theatre; I Am Montana, The Arcola) and Tony Award nominee and Olivier Award-winner Jenna Russell (Guys and Dolls, Piccadilly Theatre: Sunday In The Park With George, Wyndham’s Theatre; Fun Home, Young Vic), further casting will be announced in January 2022. Steve was heralded as The New York Times’ Critic’s Pick when it ran in New York in 2015. It is now presented by Seven Dials Playhouse and M. Green Productions.

David Ames, who will play Steven, commented I am ridiculously excited to start working on this poignant, moving and hilarious script alongside Jenna Russell with such talented director and crew

Jenna Russell commented I’m thrilled we’re going to be extending our run of Steve, it’s such a gorgeous and hilarious study of friendship, modern families, loss, and Sondheim. I really hope you can join us – bring your best mates, and some tissues!

Written by Mark Gerard, Steve invites its audience to join a group of middle-aged LGBTQ+ New Yorkers as they reflect on mortality, monogamy and musicals; with a Sondheim reference for every eventuality. Seven Dials Playhouse’s production will offer audiences the option to book on-stage cabaret tables and indulge in themed cocktails throughout, in order to join the characters on-stage in a more intimate way.

Mitchell Reeve, Executive Creative Producer, commented I am thrilled with the response we have received from audiences who are booking tickets so far in advance to catch the European Premiere of Steve and I am delighted that we are able to extend the opportunity for more audiences to join us in our Manhattan Piano Bar next year.

Seven Dials Playhouse is the West End’s home for the development of professional theatre and artists. It seeks to provide opportunities for people to collaborate on bold, creative and high quality work while providing journeys of enlightenment and entertainment for artists and audiences alike.

Tyne Theatre, Newcastle – until 3 January 2022

Reviewed by Hayley Warters

5*****

Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is! Christmas pantomime is back indeed and what a wonderful first pantomime to visit other than the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle. Enchanted Entertainment presented Sleeping Beauty which kept our eyes peeled and not once made us yawn!

I’ll be honest, this is the first time we have ever attended a Tyne Theatre pantomime…. How dare I? As a Boro girl visiting the toon, I could tell this was a Geordie Panto! Some lines were misheard and some jokes were misunderstood due to the strong accent, however as the story flowed there was no need for the husband to translate. The cast includes Lewis Denny, a young fresh-faced dame with fabulous attire and a sneaky lovely singing voice. Yes we know a bit about you Mr Denny! Laura Baxter as Sleeping Beauty, Jo Jo as a ballsy Fairy Fortywinks who brought toughness to her character! It’s nice to see more strong females in a pantomime. BGT winner Matt Pagan and Sarah Annakin as Carabosse. Obviously we can’t forget the hilarious Charlie Richmond as Jester who made our sides hurt with every punch line. Charlie kept the scene flowing when Sleeping Beauty clearly didn’t make the stage on time due to a costume issue. Charlie entertained with joke after joke and even when the jokes were dying Charlie’s energy didn’t stop by introducing the problem to the audience which made it even funnier. After all this is pantomime. Well done Charlie! And thanks to Lewis who didn’t help which also made it funnier!

From the moment the pantomime started this production was packed with sparkles, colour, laughter and smiles. You could feel the buzz fill the theatre. Maybe it was the relief of visiting a pantomime finally after the past two years or maybe it was the hilarious cast? All we know is that it was a pleasure to attend.