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DOCTOR WHO
TIME FRACTURE
AN IMMERSIVE ADVENTURE

BBC Studios and Immersive Everywhere today announced Doctor Who Time Fracture: An Immersive Adventure.  The show will be based on global hit series Doctor Who and will give fans a chance to experience the Doctor’s adventures like never before.

From the team behind The Great Gatsby, the UK’s longest running immersive show, Doctor Who Time Fracture will premiere in late 2020 at a London location to be announced.

This ground-breaking immersive adventure puts you at the heart of the story, plunged into a journey across space and time. Featuring amazingly realised worlds – the universe as we know it is at stake. Audiences will discover a great challenge lies ahead and that it’s time to be a hero, step up, and save the planet!

Audiences can purchase Gallifreyan Coin tokens prior to general on-sale. Each token purchased equates to one ticket and will provide priority access to book for the date and time of your preferred performance when announced in February 2020.  You will receive a code for each token purchased which can then be redeemed for your ticket(s), as well as an exclusive pin badge given to you at the venue on the date of your chosen performance.

Tokens are available at: https://www.immersivedoctorwho.com/

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TODAY TIX

WILL HOLD THE NEXT CAST ALBUM KARAOKE NIGHT ON 18 DECEMBER

• NEW CAST MEMBERS HANNAH TOINTON AND JOEL MONTAGUE WILL BE YOUR HOSTS FOR THE EVENING  

The next Waitress London Cast Album Karaoke Night will take place on 18 December in partnership with TodayTix, the premier digital gateway to shows, arts and cultural experiences, and will be hosted by cast members Hannah Tointon (The Inbetweeners, Mr Selfridge, Hollyoaks) and Joel Montague (Falsettos, School of Rock and Funny Girl). Audience members who want the opportunity to sing live on the West End stage just need to sign up before that evening’s show to be in with a chance to sing one minute of any song from the musical at the Adelphi, accompanied by the show’s musical director Katharine Woolley. Tickets for this performance can be purchased at the venue, waitressthemusical.co.uk and are also available on Today Tix, via their website and app.

Waitress features an original score by 7-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave), who has been announced to join the West End cast as Jenna opposite Gavin Creel (The Book of Mormon, Hello Dolly!) as Dr Pomatter for a strictly limited six-week season from 27 January to 7 March 2020.

London’s brand-new smash hit musical comedy Waitresstells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams her way out of a loveless marriage. When a hot new doctor arrives in town, life gets complicated. With the support of her workmates Becky and Dawn, Jenna overcomes the challenges she faces and finds that laughter, love and friendship can provide the perfect recipe for happiness. 

Waitress celebrated its official opening night at the Adelphi Theatre on 7 March 2019 and the Tony-nominated musical is now running in the West End through to 4 July 2020 before embarking on a major nationwide UK tour with further dates and details to be announced in due course.

Waitress currently stars Lucie Jones as Jenna, Hannah Tointon as Dawn, Joel Montague as Ogie, Sandra Marvin as Becky, David Hunter as Dr. Pomatter, Tamlyn Henderson as Earl, Andrew Boyer as Old Joe, Richard Taylor Woods as Cal and Rosemary Nkrumah as Nurse Norma.

The full company includes Piers Bate, Cindy Belliot, Andrew Boyer, Tamlyn Henderson, David Hunter, Lucie Jones, Sandra Marvin, Joel Montague, Olivia Moore, Ben Morris, Nathaniel Morrison, Rosemary Nkrumah, Laura Selwood, Matthew Rowland, Sarah O’Connor, Leanne Pinder, Hannah Tointon and Mark Willshire.

Brought to life by a ground breaking, female-led creative team, Waitress features an original score by Sara Bareilles, a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland) and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The production recently toured across the US and Canada and has announced an Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre with further productions to open in Holland next year and Japan in 2021.

On its Broadway opening at the Brooks Atkinson Theater where it has since become the  longest running show in the venue’s history, Waitress was nominated for four Outer Critics’ Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical; two Drama League Award Nominations, including Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical; six Drama Desk Nominations, including Outstanding Musical; and four Tony Award Nominations, including Best Musical.

A BRAND NEW MUSICAL & RETURNING FAVOURITES
AT BRADFORD THEATRES IN 2020 – ON SALE TODAY!

FRIENDSICAL
Thursday 21 – Saturday 23 May 2020
St George’s Hall
Tickets £30 – £24

HAIRSPRAY
Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 September 2020
Alhambra Theatre
Tickets £47 – £21.50

THE COMMITMENTS
Mon 30 November – Saturday 5 December 2020
Alhambra Theatre
Tickets £49.50 – £21.50

Call the Box Office on 01274 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk
All prices shown include booking fees but are subject to postage charge if applicable.
Bradford Theatres usual terms and conditions apply.

FRIENDSICAL is an original and unique new parody musical inspired by the gang in Friends, the iconic TV show, with original new songs such as (He’s her) Lobster!, Richard’s Moustache and You’re Over Me, When Were You Under Me. The gang take on naked Thursdays, a power cut, and a dinosaur convention! What could possibly go wrong? This is a loving parody not to be confused with the Warner Bros Entertainment Inc. series Friends

The smash hit musical comedy HAIRSPRAY is returning to the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford in 2020 with a production, guaranteed to have you dancing the night away! It’s Baltimore, 1962 where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. Featuring the hit songs Welcome To The 60s, You Can’t Stop The Beat, The Nicest Kids in Town and many more.

THE COMMITMENTS, based on the BAFTA award-winning film classic is a fantastically feel good celebration of soul. With over 20 soul classics performed live on stage including: Night Train, Try A Little Tenderness, River Deep, Mountain High, In The Midnight Hour, Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Save Me, Mustang Sally, I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Reach Out, Uptight, Knock On Wood, I Can’t Turn You Loose and more! Recommended age 12+

SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS

AND AMBASSADOR THEATRE GROUP PRODUCTIONS

PRESENT

THE 2020 UK TOUR OF THE

MULTI OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING HIT WEST END MUSICAL

SUNNY AFTERNOON

OPENING AT THE

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

ON FRIDAY 7 AUGUST 2020

Sonia Friedman Productions and Ambassador Theatre Group Productions are delighted to announce that the multi Olivier Award-winning hit SUNNY AFTERNOON will return for its second UK tour, opening at the Manchester Opera House on Friday 7 August 2020. Tour schedule below with further dates to be announced.www.sunnyafternoonthemusical.com

SUNNY AFTERNOON tells the story of the early life of Ray Davies and the rise to stardom of The Kinks, who exploded on to the 60s music scene with a raw, energetic new sound that rocked a nation. Recipient of four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Music for Ray Davies, SUNNY AFTERNOON features some of The Kinks’ best-loved songs, including You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset, All Day and All of the Night and Lola.

Producer Sonia Friedman said today, “I’ve loved this musical from the moment Ray Davies, Joe Penhall, Ed Hall and I started to develop it several years ago and am incredibly excited and proud that we are bringing back our joyous and celebratory Olivier Award-winning Best New Musical. For those who missed it the first-time round, UK audiences will have the treat of experiencing it for the very first time or, if you’ve seen it before, you’ll be able to see it again and again! The Kinks helped shape a generation and Ray’s beautifully truthful lyrics and music are as exhilarating and relevant today as the day he wrote them. I’m so happy we will all get a chance to see SUNNY AFTERNOON soon – I’ve missed it in my life.”

Ray Davies added, “In these times of political uncertainties, it is a relief to know that SUNNY AFTERNOON is on the horizon to lift our spirits”.

Set against the backdrop of a Britain caught mid-swing between the conservative 50s and riotous 60s, this production explores the euphoric highs and agonising lows of one of Britain’s most celebrated bands and the irresistible music that influenced generations.

Following a sell-out run at Hampstead Theatre, SUNNY AFTERNOON opened to critical acclaim at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End in October 2014 where it ran for two years ahead of its critically-acclaimed, five-star tour of the UK and Ireland throughout 2016/17.

SUNNY AFTERNOON has music and lyrics by Ray Davies with a book by Joe Penhall and original story by Ray Davies. It is directed by Edward Hall and designed by Miriam Buether with choreography by Adam Cooper. Lighting design is by Rick Fisher with sound design by Matt McKenzie. Musical and vocal adaptations are by Ray Davies and Elliott Ware based on original Kinks’ recordings.

Producers of the SUNNY AFTERNOON UK tour include Sonia Friedman Productions, Ambassador Theatre Group Productions with Adam Blanshay Productions, Rupert Gavin.

SUNNY AFTERNOON

UK Tour Listings

More dates to be announced soon

Facebook @sunnyafternoonthemusical

Twitter – @kinksmusical

Instagram – @sunnyafternoonthemusical

Friday 7 August – Saturday 15 August 2020

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester/

ON SALE 13 DECEMBER

Tuesday 18 August – Saturday 22 August 2020

BRISTOL HIPPODROME

https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome/

ON SALE 13 DECEMBER

Tuesday 1 September – Saturday 5 September 2020

MILTON KEYNES THEATRE

https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/

ON SALE 13 DECEMBER

Tuesday 8 September – Saturday 12 September 2020

HULL NEW THEATRE

https://www.hulltheatres.co.uk/hull-new-theatre

ON SALE 13 DECEMBER

Tuesday 15 September – Saturday 19 September 2020

CONGRESS THEATRE, EASTBOURNE

https://www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/venue/congress-theatre

ON SALE 13 DECEMBER

Tuesday 22 September – Saturday 26 September 2020

SUNDERLAND EMPIRE

https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire/

ON SALE 13 DECEMBER

Tuesday 29 September – Saturday 3 October 2020

WINTER GARDENS, BLACKPOOL

https://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/

ON SALE 13 DECEMBER

Tuesday 6 October – Saturday 10 October 2020

THEATRE ROYAL, BRIGHTON

https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton/

ON SALE 13 DECEMBER

Tuesday 13 October – Saturday 17 October 2020

SOUTHEND CLIFFS PAVILION

www.southendtheatres.org.uk/Online/

ON SALE 17 DECEMBER

Tuesday 20 October – Saturday 24 October 2020

REGENT THEATRE, STOKE

https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre/

ON SALE 13 DECEMBER

Tuesday 27 October – Saturday 31 October 2020

MAYFLOWER THEATRE, SOUTHAMPTON

www.mayflower.org.uk/

ON SALE 12 DECEMBER

Tuesday 3 November – Saturday 7 November 2020

ALHAMBRA THEATRE, BRADFORD

https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/

ON SALE SOON

Tuesday 10 November – Saturday 14 November 2020

EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE

https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/

ON SALE 13 DECEMBER

Tuesday 24 November – Saturday 28 November

NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE

https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre/

ON SALE 13 DECEMBER

Tuesday 1 December – Saturday 5 December 2020

THE ALEXANDRA, BIRMINGHAM

https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/

ON SALE 13 DECEMBER

The Bunker Theatre – until 21 December 2019

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Little Miss Burden is a vibrant celebration of sisterhood and triumph over adversity, inspired by writer Matilda Ibini’s own experiences. Little Miss (Saida Ahmad), Big Sis (Michelle Tiwo) and Little Sis (Ani Nelson) share an unbreakable bond growing up in 90s London as Little Miss’s physical condition worsens and the family go through tests, treatments and diagnoses together. Ahmed is a force of nature as Little Miss, magnetic and hilarious, and Tiwo and Nelson give astonishing performances full of energy and passion.

Staging the play on a paint splattered set resembling children’s TV show and introducing Little Miss as a Mr Men character sets the tone beautifully, allowing the darker, more troublesome events to make a huge impact, but never overshadow the upbeat joy of Little Miss’s story. Tiwo and Nelson play a multitude of roles that bring shrieks of delighted recognition from the audience, from Nelson’s beautifully realised Nigerian mother to Tiwo’s pastor, the two actors slip effortlessly between the colourful characters in the family’s life. It takes a long time for Little Miss to be diagnosed with LGMD, and until the diagnosis, the word disabled is beeped out because of all the negative connotations dreaded by their mother.

We watch as the family go to church praying for a cure, travel to Nigeria hoping that traditional medicine will help, and finally resort to a medical procedure. Throughout it all the cast impishly mock the various characters, encouraging and reacting to audience interaction brilliantly. Punctuated by the three breaking into dance routines to 90s classics, the mood is playful and warm, only reminding the audience of the obstacles put in families’ way when medical and education professionals talk about and to Little Miss in a truly dehumanising manner. Ibini emphasise the power of language to harm and heal – the loving and well-meaning mum’s prayers and constant search for a cure making Little Miss feel as if she’s letting her down, the racist, cruel words of school children and the mechanical, cold language of clinicians, tempered by the naïve but supporting and loving words of her friends and sisters. Ibini personifies Little Miss’s mental difficulties, with Tiwo becoming a chilling embodiment of Depression and Nelson a jittery version of Anxiety, but she also gives her condition a voice – allowing Little Miss to have brutal arguments with LGMD and portraying her long journey to acceptance in a visceral and heart-breaking style.

The fantastically upbeat final song gets everybody on their feet and then the cast land an emotional and empowering sucker punch of a speech about disabled rights that will have you in tears. Simply brilliant.

Blue Elephant Theatre – until 17 December 2019

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

The Blue Elephant Theatre’s extensive experience working with children is obvious in this production, as this is exactly the sort of story a child would make up, but with an adult polish and professionalism.

Elliot the Elf is a nervous but committed elf – his job is to keep the Letter Machine working so that Santa can give every child what they want. On the day that Ruby the reindeer and her friend Teddy sneak in to see it, the Machine breaks because of a terrible storm. The only hope for saving Christmas is finding another crystal for the Machine, but the crystals are in a deep dark cave at the end of a dangerous trek, and the three new friends will have to go on the quest with no help.

Niamh de Valera has written two joyful characters – Elliot the uptight, perfectionist elf and Ruby the reckless reindeer discover their similarities and that they share the same fears, while Teddy represents everyone who is different. Teddy can’t speak and needs to be carried so Elliot is convinced that he will get in the way, much to the young audience’s disgust. Elliot’s realisation that Teddy is vital to their quest and a good friend is a warm and loving message of inclusion that doesn’t preach to the children watching, alongside his and Ruby’s finding out more about themselves and giving scary and risky things a try. Santiago Del Fosco is a hoot as Elliot –managing to be quiet and measured even whilst performing acrobatic physical comedy. Amelia Parillon as Ruby is a bundle of energy, and the two spark off each other brilliantly, capturing the hearts of the audience. Special mention must go to Campbell the Bear in his theatrical debut as Teddy. With little in the way of set, this show depends on the actors’ portrayals, and the children around me were completely rapt, holding their breath as the two teetered on the “edge” of a cliff, and getting every child in the audience on stage to help the trio reach the cave was a superb embodiment of the show’s message.

Sweet and deceptively simple, The Christmas Quest is a fantastic festive treat for the whole family.

Park Theatre – until 4 January 2020

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Park Theatre’s Christmas production of The Snow Queen is deliciously dark and dangerous – perfect for children who have outgrown the saccharine Disney versions. Abigail Anderson plays with Hans Christian Anderson’s original story, omitting the Christian moralising and creating a sibling war between the seasons as The Snow Queen tries to silence the other seasons and create an eternal Winter.

Gerda and her friend Cei have both lost a parent, and this loss has affected their families in different ways. Gerda suffers from panic attacks at the thought of breaking rules, while Cei is a daring and creative risktaker. Cei catches the eye of the Snow Queen, who takes him to her palace to mend her shattered mirror, not knowing that a shard has already fallen in Cei’s eye. Everyone thinks Cei is dead, but Gerda won’t accept this and goes on a quest into the wide world to bring Cei home, travelling through the lands of Spring, Summer and Autumn and meeting the weird and wonderful inhabitants.

The show is a slow burner, as there is a lot of back story to set up, but the multi-roling cast inject enough physical comedy into the introductions to keep the interest of the younger audience members. Richard Williamson’s lighting effortlessly realise each season, and the cast have a ball with the OTT characters. When the little girl next to me realised that the stern father (Justin Brett) had now become the preening and ridiculous Daffodil she screamed with delight. Brett, Paula James, Sarah-Louise Young and Matthew Cavendish are wonderful comedy performers, interacting with each other and the young audience joyfully and irreverently. Ayesha Casely-Hayford is the calm centre of the mayhem, subtly portraying Gerda’s growing determination and self-awareness as she searches for Cei (the impressive Esmonde Cole). Frances Marshall as the Snow Queen is the epitome of cold and selfish evil – there is no redemption for her, which is refreshing.

Even though part of me feels that this may be for older children, the smiles on the audience members shrinking into their parents’ arms during scarier moments proves me wrong – there’s nothing wrong with a little scare, as long as it’s followed by a big laugh. Even the cannibal robbers didn’t faze the kids – because what child doesn’t find a man in a skirt being bopped over the head with a bone hilarious?

Another Christmas cracker from the Park Theatre – thrills, chills and silliness that will melt the coldest heart.

MICHAEL HARRISON AND DAVID IAN

PRESENT
THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING
THE MUSICAL

STARRING ALEXANDRA BURKE

AS JULIANNE POTTER

SONGS BY BURT BACHARACH AND HAL DAVID

BOOK BY RONALD BASS AND JONATHAN HARVEY

DIRECTED BY RACHEL KAVANAUGH

OPENING AT PLYMOUTH THEATRE ROYAL

ON 16 SEPTEMBER 2020

AHEAD OF A UK AND IRELAND TOUR

Michael Harrison and David Ian are delighted to announce the world premiere of MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING THE MUSICAL opening at Plymouth Theatre Royal on 16 September 2020 ahead of a UK and Ireland tour. Full tour schedule below. The show will star Alexandra Burke as Julianne Potter with further casting to be announced soon. www.bestfriendsweddingmusical.com

MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING is based on the wickedly funny film of the same name and features some of the most iconic pop anthems ever written by the legendary Burt Bacharach and Hal David, including I’ll Never Fall in Love Again, I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself, Walk on By, I Say A Little Prayer and What’s New Pussycat.

The musical will have a book by Ronald Bass (My Best Friend’s Wedding, Rain Man, The Joy Luck Club) and Jonathan Harvey (Beautiful Thing, Gimme Gimme Gimme, Coronation Street).

Alexandra Burke can currently be seen in the role of Rachel Marron in the hit musical The Bodyguard having played the role to critical and audience acclaim in both the West End and the subsequent sell out 2015/2016 tour. She first rose to fame after winning the fifth series of The X Factor and her debut number one single Hallelujah sold over one million copies in the UK, a first for a British female soloist. She most recently appeared as Svetlana in Chess at the London Coliseum and as Roxie in Chicago at the West End’s Phoenix Theatre. In 2017 she reached the final of Strictly Come Dancing. Her other theatre credits include Deloris Van Cartier in the national tour of the musical Sister Act. 

Fiery food critic Julianne Potter has always turned her nose up at romance. It’s the reason she broke up with her sweetheart Michael O’Neal.  When she hears he’s about to be married, she vows to win him back for good, but with perfect Kimmy in the way, it’s not as easy as she first thought. Can she derail her best friend’s wedding in time and keep Michael all for herself?

MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh. It has a book by Ronald Bass and Jonathan Harvey and is based on the Tristar Pictures Film, screenplay by Ronald Bass. It Features the songs of Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING

UK and Ireland Tour Listings 2020

www.bestfriendsweddingmusical.com

FRIDAY 19 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2020

Theatre Royal Plymouth

https://theatreroyal.com

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 3 OCTOBER 2020

Palace Theatre, Manchester

www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 5 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER 2020

Bradford Alhambra

www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2020

Curve, Leicester

www.curveonline.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 19 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER 2020

His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen

www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/his-majestys-theatre

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 26 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER 2020

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 2 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2020

Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin

https://bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 10 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2020

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

www.grandtheatre.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 16 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2020

Milton Keynes Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 23 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2020

Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield

www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 1 DECEMBER – SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER 2020

Congress Theatre, Eastbourne

www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk 

ON SALE SOON

Darlington Hippodrome – until 5 January 2020

4****

Darlington Hippodrome proves its “Strictly Got Talent “with its pantomime this year with Shirley Ballas and George Sampson leading the cast in Jack and the Beanstalk.

Qdos Pantomimes can be relied upon to provide a good show and this years production does not disappoint.  Alan McHugh has written a decent script full of jokes and tongue twisters and all the fun you expect to see at a panto.  The basic story is that Giant Blunderbore is causing havoc by raising the rent in a small village and driving the villagers into poverty. Life is so bad that Dame Trot (Iain Stuart Robinson) is going to have to sell her cow to try and make ends meet and support her two sons, Jack (George Sampson) and Simple Simon (Phil Walker). Jack is upset about selling the cow but he is also distracted as he has met and fallen in love with the beautiful Princess Apricot (Lauren Hall). Unfortunately, the giant wants to eat the princess and his evil henchman Fleshcreep (Daniel Taylor) has taken her and Dame Trot’s cow Moomoo, off to Cloudland where Giant Blunderbore lives. With the help of his family and Mother Nature (Shirley Ballas) Jack sets off on his quest to rescue Apricot, the cow and the village from the grip of the evil giant.

Mother Nature is Strictly Come Dancing’s chief judge Shirley Ballas not only fantastic on her feet, but she also gets stuck in with the acting and singing too. Ballas commands the stage and recites her poetic lines with perfect comedic timing and with the grace and poise of the beautiful dancer that she is. Daniel Taylor is on fine form as the ferocious Fleshcreep, the audience just love to lap up his antics and share their excitement with boos aplenty

George Sampson’s Jack was just right as the young, handsome hero,  a nicely judged characterisation, combining that essential childlike innocence and simplicity but with fabulous footwork.  Whilst Sampson is a swashbuckling Jack – Lauren Hall was a sadly under used Princess Apricot. However she did have some excellent vocals when she got the chance.

Iain Stuart Robertson was everything a pantomime dame should be. Horrendous make-up, over the top dresses and a completely OTT performance. Putting Robertson and Simple Simon, Phil Walker, together on stage was a spark of genius as they really work as a double act. Outrageously trying to make each other corpse and delivering some of the worst puns in the history of Christmas cracker jokes, this is a pairing that just works beautifully.

Obviously this was a very dance orientated production with Ballas and Sampson showing us what they were made of but a highly entertaining “dance off” with Phil Walker joining in was fun too.  Gerry Zuccarello’s choreography was spot on with the 6 ensemble members (Jessica Carrick, Annabelle Clappison, Abbi-Mae Neilson, Connor Parkinson, Callum Rayment and Crischaela Vallender) and the glorious children from the Joanne Banks Dancers.  I especially enjoyed the baby sheep.

This was only the second night of the run, so some things might have gone a bit wrong, but the sheer joy of panto is that no one cares when mistakes are made – in fact it can add to the hilarity of the show.  All the traditional elements are there and the humour is pitched just right for the age range of the audience. There is plenty of audience participation, Jack and the Beanstalk is well worth a visit.

Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarboroug – until 29 December 2019

Reviewed by Sara Garner

4****

A brand-new adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic Treasure Island by Nick Lane. The adventure begins in Scarborough and takes us to Treasure Island where we join the crew aboard the Hispaniola in search of Captain Flints’ buried gold and hopefully back home in time for Christmas. Nick Lane’s adaptation promises songs, swords, talking vegetables and a giant mechanic crab called Susan and swashbuckling a plenty.

The story begins the inn that belongs to Jim Hawkin’s parents. A mysterious stranger called Billy Bones, rents a room at the inn, warns Jim to keep a look out for a ‘one legged man’. One day, Billy is visited by a beggar called ‘Blind Pew’ who gives him the ‘black spot’ which is the mark of imminent death among pirate crews. This is adapted cleverly in the play to a fight with the “Black Dog” which had the audience laughing out loud. Jim and his mother find a treasure map which Jim takes to Squire Trelawney and Doctor Livesey who realise that it shows where Captain Flint, an evil and heartless pirate, has buried his stolen treasure. The Squire and the Doctor decide to go and find the treasure and invite Jim to come along. They hire a crew led by the respected Captain Smollet. The ship’s cook is a one-legged man called Long John Silver whom everyone admires.

The ship sets sail and we immediately begin to doubt the trustworthiness of this crew. However, the night before they reach Treasure Island Jim overhears Silver and other members of the crew plotting to kill them all. He realises that Long John Silver and most of the crew are pirates and were once members of Captain Flint’s crew. Jim warns the Doctor, the Squire and the Captain about the crew’s evil plans. Will they be saved and home in time for Christmas?

The cast of 5 fearsome pirates (Alice Blundell, Niall Ransome, Ben Tolley, Marcquelle Ward and Scarlet Wilderink) engaged with the children in the audience prior to the show putting them at ease. At the beginning of the play I did wonder how 5 actors where going to deliver a panto, but they did not disappoint as they took on multiple roles throughout the play. They acted, sung, danced and played musical instruments during the performance to tell us the elements of this story which was delivered with high energy from start to finish.

Favourite parts for us where the meeting of Ben Gunn who was abandoned years ago – (this song will stick in your head for the rest of the Christmas period), flashback scene and the leadership contest.

Children and adults of all ages will love this swashbuckling somewhat bonkers slightly, Monty Pythonesque reinvention of a classic story.