An M.R. James ghost story at Christmas time? Perfect! Even better that it was another chance to experience live theatre at the wonderful Malvern Theatres, this time at the smallest of their venue spaces, Studio One.
“Oh, Whistle and I’ll Come to You, My Lad” was first published in 1904 in James’s “Ghost Stories of an Antiquary” collection and is one of the author’s most celebrated tales. The story concerns a professor who, whilst on a golfing holiday in a fictional coastal village, finds a whistle which when blown brings forth more than he bargained for.
The set was inventively dressed with a bed and some cryptic looking sheets – what secrets did they hide? Stark in nature and perfectly pitched for this spooky work since it focused the attention on the solitary actor – Toby Burchell.
Toby commanded the stage in a riveting solo performance that was nothing less than compelling. It must be the hardest of acting jobs to be out there on your own, with no support and no-one to bounce off. If you forget a line you don’t have the backup of another actor to prompt you or for them to feed you your next line; you really have to know your material inside out and deliver it flawlessly. Toby did this with ease in a performance that was assured and confident. A most impressive feat – especially with such an intricately wordy script.
Toby used his physicality to great effect; for instance with a rather effective trip over some imaginary obstacle. I also loved his ability to seamlessly morph from one character to another very different one with just a subtle shift in posture, movement or vocal inflection!
A lot was made from the scant props: a suitcase to signify travel, a scarf to signify leaving his hotel room and of course the whistle itself. Just enough to convey the full flow of the story and keep the concentration on Toby’s performance. The use of lighting was also impressive – changing the mood from one location to another and conveying the time of day to great effect. But the most awe inspiring moment was when our protagonist was recounting a shadowy apparition whilst (with perfect timing) the lights shifted and Toby’s shadow was cast, large, on the rear wall. Sound effects were also used to push the drama along and set the scene, just like in all good horror films.
It was wonderful to see such a full house, everyone enjoying a free mince pie and glass of mulled wine after the show (the proceeds of which going towards a very good cause; the Malvern Theatres Tomorrow Campaign).
We are lucky to have such talented actors gracing the stage here at Malvern. If there is any justice, Toby is destined for stardom so I encourage everyone to catch him here in Malvern while you still have the chance! A triumph in every area and in every way and an enormously deserved “well done that man and everyone else involved in the production” from me. As Dickens continued popularity proves, everyone loves a seasonal ghost story and this was an exceptionally entertaining one that I have no hesitation in wholeheartedly recommending
Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and John Stalker Productions are delighted to announce the addition of a matinee performance of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, A Musical Comedy on Tuesday 13 February at 3pm due to phenomenal demand.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY will star Michelle Visage as Morticia Addams, Ramin Karimloo as Gomez Addams and Lesley Joseph as Grandma. Further casting is to be announced.
Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and has a shocking secret that only Gomez knows; she’s fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family! Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before — keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. All the usual clan are present – Uncle Fester, Lurch, Pugsley et al.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY, A Musical Comedy live in concert will be directed by Matthew White, with choreography by Alistair David, production design by Diego Pitarch, orchestrations by Richard Beadle, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Richard Brooker and casting by Jane Deitch. Book is by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, based on the characters created by Charles Addams.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY is produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and John Stalker Productions, with co-producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Guy James and is presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide.
The Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield – until 7th January 2024
Reviewed by Sophie Dodworth
5*****
Decked with the festive feeling, the Sheffield Lyceum is vibrant, full of energy, and ready to pounce on St Nick! What a fantastic atmosphere you walk in to. Christmas songs playing, people singing and the stage looking beautiful with its glistening curtain with ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in shimmering pinks and purples.
Beauty and the Beast is so well known to the majority and a Christmas panto regular. But this adaptation is surely by far one of best around. With gags galore and belly laughs aplenty, get ready for two and a half hours of sheer entertainment and joy. Written, directed and produced by Paul Hendy, with absolute genius in parts.
The cast are pure gold for this years shenanigans. With the best comedic timing and delivery, ad-hoc improvisation from the super quick Damian Williams, playing Madame Bellie Fillop, he really does make these pantomimes what they are, superb! Duncan James plays Danton, the larger than life, self-obsessed lead very convincingly. Belle played by Bessy Ewa is consistently professional and charming through the show, with her sweet-sounding voice and beautiful smile. There is a surprise in store for Cbeebies Swashbuckle fans, with Jennie Dale playing Cupid; what a voice she has! By far the best on the stage. And a big final round of applause to Max Fulham playing Phillipe Fillop. Honestly there isn’t many ways to describe how talented he is. Fulham can pretty much do anything. He is a great comedian intertwined with his skill of ventriloquy. Alongside his puppet, they improvise without hesitation, and will have you belly-laughing with some of the audience participation they provide.
The set designer Morgan Large has produced a set which surely must be one of the best ever seen at a Lyceum pantomime. With the most stunning arches of light, from the front of the stage to the back. They are eye catching and enhance the entire production all the way through the show with mesmerising colour changes. Beautiful costumes all the way through, with such great detail, including a fabulous headband worn by Cupid which is a headband of mirrors, the light reflects off into the auditorium creating streams of light, fantastic work from costume designers Ella Haines, Amy Chamberlain and Michael J Batchelor.
This has to be one of the best pantomimes ever at the Lyceum, family fun galore, you won’t be disappointed!
HOPE MILL THEATRE’S NEW PRODUCTION OF THE MUSICAL VERSION OF A CHRISTMAS CAROL TO RUN AT THE LOWRY, SALFORD FOR A 2024/2025 FESTIVE SEASON
SHOW TO PLAY THE LOWRY’S QUAYS THEATRE FROM FRIDAY 6th DECEMBER 2024 to SATURDAY 4th JANUARY 2025
TICKETS ON GENERAL SALE FRIDAY 15th DECEMBER 2023
Hope Mill Theatre is to stage a new production of the magical musical version of A Christmas Carol at The Lowry, Salford for the 2024/25 festive season.
Following their critically acclaimed production of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella in 2022, Hope Mill co-founders Joseph Houston and William Whelton will reunite to co-direct a new version of A Christmas Carol, with Whelton also choreographing.
As part of Hope Mill Theatre’s future development the venue is expanding their operations to produce its award-winning musicals on a larger scale in other venues and A Christmas Carol will run in The Lowry’s Quays Theatre from Friday 6th December 2024 to Saturday 4th January 2025.
Based on Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella of the same name, A Christmas Carol has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and book by Mike Ockrent and Lynn Ahrens. It was a New York festive staple from 1994 to 2003 where it was presented annually at The Theater At Madison Square Garden and in 2004 it was adapted for television by Hallmark Entertainment for NBC starring Kelsey Grammer as Ebeneezer Scrooge.
The classic Dickens story comes to life with true broadway spectacle in this Musical version brought to you by Alan Menken (Disney’s Beauty And The Beast The Little Mermaid and Newsies andLittle Shop Of Horrors) and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical, Once On This Island), and breathes fantastic new life into the classic tale of A Christmas Carol.
Scrooge believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated “Bah! Humbug!”, Scrooge is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve which leads Scrooge on a journey through the Past, Present and Future.
Cast and full creative team to be announced.
William Whelton said:“We are thrilled to be bringing A Christmas Carol to The Lowry. While we will continue to produce work at our wonderful home venue, it has become increasingly challenging for us to stage ambitious, large-scale musicals at Hope Mill so we have been exploring new ways to work in the future – which includes staging our work at other theatres. We are so excited to be producing A Christmas Carol at The Lowry – a wonderful organisation we have long admired that has a thriving, supportive audience. We look forward to our loyal audiences – and new ones – seeing this work in Salford next Christmas.”
Joseph Houston added: “While A Christmas Carol is a story we are all familiar with – especially at this time of year – when I was introduced to this musical version, I was instantly drawn in anew thanks to the legendary Alan Menken’s stunning music and Lynn Ahrens wonderful lyrics. It has everything you’d expect – from soaring tunes to full Broadway dance numbers. Myself and Will loved collaborating on Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella in 2022 and we are delighted to be bringing this very special musical to The Lowry for Christmas 2024. We can’t wait for audiences to see the special show we have in store for them.”
Matthew Eames, Head of Theatres (Contemporary & Commissioning) at The Lowry, said: “We are really excited to be working with Hope Mill Theatre to host their production of A Christmas Carol in 2024 and to be able to support Joseph and Will with their ambitions to grow and develop. Both The Lowry and Hope Mill have been bold in their commitments to musical theatre in recent years, including joining together to host the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer in 2020-21 and we are sure that our Quays Theatre will be a great home-from-home for Hope Mill. We can’t wait to meet Scrooge and the rest of the cast next year!”
A CHRISTMAS CAROL Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Book by Lynn Ahrens and Mike Ockrent
Based on the story by Charles Dickens Original choreography by Susan Stroman Originally directed by Mike Ockrent Originally presented by Radio City Entertainment at the Theater at Madison Square Garden Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International
LISTING INFO:
Hope Mill Theatre present A Christmas Carol
The Lowry, Salford
Friday 6th December 2024 to Saturday 4th January 2025
West End leading man Jon Robyns to appear in first ever solo concert Sunday 26th May 2024, 7.30pm His Majesty’s Theatre, 57 Haymarket, St. James’s, SW1Y 4QL
The West End’s leading man Jon Robyns, star of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom Of The Opera, will appear in his first ever solo concert at His Majesty’s Theatre.
Throughout the evening Jon will look back on his astonishing 20-year career and some of his most iconic roles including Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, King George in Hamilton, and his current role as The Phantom Of The Opera. He will also reprise some of his favourite moments from other shows he has starred in including Memphis, Sister Act and Avenue Q.
Robyns comments, This is my first solo concert in a West End theatre and to hold it at the iconic His Majesty’s makes it even more special. I’ve never been more excited!
An evening of showmanship from one of the West End’s most accomplished talents, complete with the accompaniment of a live band and some very special surprise guests.
Including a new bursary with The Other Room in Cardiff
Michael Grandage today announces the recipients of the seventh annual MGCfutures Bursaries awarded across a range of theatrical disciplines including directing, writing, producing, designing, performance-makers, and for the first time a puppet maker and a theatrical shoemaker. A registered charity, MGCfutures offers both financial and ongoing mentoring support to the recipients who come from across the UK.
This year’s recipients are Tom Bailey, Jessica Brigham, Nur Khairiyah Bte Ramli, Sarah Burton, Ruth D’Silva, Sharon Kanolik, Lubna Kerr, Roisin McCay-Hines, Louise Orwin, Em Spoor, Eleanor Taylor, Nikhil Vyas, and Alice OrtonaColes and Nicola Holter who receive Stephanie Arditti Bursaries, and Carys-Haf Williams who becomes The Other Room Production Manager Placement.
The bursaries programme was launched in 2016 for arts practitioners who show a commitment to their chosen career and look to progress to the next stage of their development.
Michael Grandage said today, “With writers, directors and producers sitting alongside shoemakers and puppet makers, the recipients this year perfectly encapsulate the unique nature of this charity and its mission to encourage all disciplines within the theatre industry. MGCFutures has now given over half a million pounds to 141 people and we are looking to the future with renewed optimism – today’s announcement is a wonderful demonstration of that.”
2023 has been a significant year for the charity – in addition to the bursary scheme, MGC commissioned and produced previous bursary recipient Marcelo Dos Santos’ critically acclaimed Backstairs Billy with Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans at the Duke of York’s Theatre; and Emma Corrin joined MGCfutures as a patron.
QUOTES FROM BURSARY RECIPIENTS:
NUR KHAIRIYAH BTE RAMLI:
“I’m grateful to be awarded the MGCfutures Bursary. As someone on a personal journey – exploring how my faith can inform and inspire my work in theatre – this bursary will help me to take ownership of the stories I wish to tell, particularly about the Muslim woman. It’s great to see organisations recognising the importance of diverse voices in the arts.”
RUTH D’SILVA:
“The MCGfutures bursary will help me develop a play that tells the tale of the colonised rather than the coloniser revisiting an old classic. I will also receive the guidance and mentorship of an MGCfutures team committed to encouraging unheard voices. Priceless at this stage of my career as an emerging writer. I am so happy.”
SHARON KANOLIK:
“The MGCfutures bursary is such a special scheme because it truly centres theatre artists’ personal and artistic growth. This investment in me and my play A Tale of Us will be transformative. Their commitment to my writing and development is a huge confidence boost. Thank you so much to MGCfutures for this incredible support.”
LUBNA KERR:
“As an older person transferring into the arts world, it is a difficult path. However, when your passion runs deep and you know inside it’s where you belong, there is nothing that can stop you except acceptance by your peers. I am so grateful to MGCfutures for this award and for the faith they have in me and my future.”
LOUISE ORWIN:
“I’m incredibly excited and grateful to the MGCfutures Bursary for helping me to take the first step towards one of my wildest and most ambitious projects to date. The bursary will allow me time to work with new partners and creatives in the industry, helping me level up my directing and theatre making practice – I can’t wait to get started.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
FULL LIST OF BURSARY RECIPIENTS:
TOM BAILEY – THEATRE MAKER
The bursary will support Tom in conducting creative workshops for young people with cancer in the Lake District. Following these workshops, the bursary will also support the early-stage development of a new international theatre production (exploring cancer experiences) with Baltic company MMLab.
JESSICA BRIGHAM – LIGHTING DESIGNER
The bursary will fund lighting software and programming tools for Jessica to elevate her designs and work in touring productions.
NUR KHAIRIYAH BTE RAMLI – PRODUCER
The bursary will support Khai’s development of a new show about Islamophobia in the UK and the “white saviour complex”.
SARAH BURTON – COSTUME TECHNICIAN
The bursary will facilitate Sarah’s career transition from Wardrobe Manager to textile artist.
RUTH D’SILVA – WRITER
The bursary will allow Ruth to champion global majority voices by writing a radical theatre adaptation of a British classic set in colonised India.
The bursary will enable Nicola to take her first steps in filling a much needed gap in the UK theatre industry: shoemaking.
SHARON KANOLIK – WRITER
The bursary will provide the opportunity for Sharon to write and develop a new play for parents and newborn babies.
LUBNA KERR – THEATRE MAKER
The bursary will help Lubna develop her writing style by delivering workshops with second generation Asian migrants in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
ROISIN MCCAY-HINES – DIRECTOR
The bursary will allow Roisin to workshop a new play about the 1997 cargo ship that spilled 5 million pieces of sea-themed Lego into the South West English coast.
LOUISE ORWIN – THEATRE MAKER
The bursary will fund Louise’s workshops with teenage girls, re-examining famous opera scenes from a feminist perspective to create a new opera-inspired project.
ALICE ORTONA COLES – DANCE COSTUME DESIGNER (STEPHANIE ARDITTI BURSARY)
The bursary will develop Alice’s skills in costume design for dancers through an R&D exploring the intersections between dance, costume and theatre.
EM SPOOR – PUPPET MAKER
The bursary will provide time and resources for Em to experiment with new ideas and develop their style as a puppet maker.
ELEANOR TAYLOR – WRITER
The bursary will allow Eleanor to write her first full-length play about a modern day Viking burial in York.
NIKHIL VYAS – DIRECTOR
The bursary will support Nikhil’s R&D process in devising a new play about the Cold War from a unique perspective.
CARYS-HAF WILLIAMS – PRODUCTION MANAGER (THE OTHER ROOM BURSARY PLACEMENT)
Carys-Haf will become The Other Room’s first Production Manager, developing her skills in a Cardiff venue that celebrates Welsh theatre.
MGCfutures
MGCfutures is a charitable organisation committed to supporting the next generation of theatre makers and theatre goers, principally through its bursary programme, mentorship and online resources. Established in 2013 by director Michael Grandage, the charity aims to introduce people to the wide variety of jobs available within the theatre, both on and offstage, and also provides vital support to theatre makers at pivotal moments in their careers.
MGCfutures is governed by a Board of Trustees. It is also supported by the charity’s patrons: Emma Corrin, Judi Dench, Dawn French, Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, Daniel Radcliffe, Simon Russell Beale, Sheridan Smith, Aidan Turner, David Walliams and Ben Whishaw.
“My MGCfutures Bursary allowed me to work on the long-term sustainability of my producing career through business and financial training, as well as developing my company’s artistic slates through acquiring rights for two works for adaptation. At this stage of my career, the recognition and support from MGCfutures has given me the confidence to take the next steps in moving towards becoming a leader in the industry – I can’t thank MGCfutures enough.” Nisha Oza, Producer and Bursary Recipient 2021
To find out more about MGCfutures’ work, and how to get involved, please contact Andrew Broadley andrew@mgcfutures.com
‘MGCfutures bursaries are funded through donations from the Michael Grandage Company as well as donations and support from generous individual givers.
The recipients of the awards are selected from an industry panel including Michael Grandage. After the panel, each recipient will be met with to discuss their bursary and the support MGCfutures will give each one moving forward.
JAMES DACRE ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF HIS NEW PRODUCTION COMPANY
Following a celebrated decade as Artistic Director at Royal & Derngate, James Dacre today announces the launch of a new production company – LIVING PRODUCTIONS – which will champion exceptional writers, composers, actors and creatives by developing and producing their work…
LIVING THEATRE develops drama and musical theatre for stage production
LIVING MUSIC creates concert and opera performances and festival experiences
LIVING ARTS focuses on podcasts, albums, radio plays, live broadcasts and films
Living Theatre Productions is creating new work for the stage by artists including Anna Zeigler, Bola Agbaje, Anthony McCarten, Roy Williams, Ralph Fiennes, Tanika Gupta, Mike Poulton and Conrad Murray alongside re-imaginations of several classic plays.
Living Music Productions created a concert at Bold Tendencies in September of Derek Jarman’s Modern Nature with spoken word by Tilda Swinton, Giles Terera, Jessie Buckley and Samuel Barnett and music by Valgeir Sigurðsson, Max Richter and Donna McKevitt. It is further developing this work alongside projects with musicians including Jack Peñate, Rianne Walther, Peter Gregson, Jessica Walker and Orlando Gough.
Living Arts Productions is creating work for film, radio, broadcast and podcast, including Alecky Blythe’s Family Business with music by Adam Cork on BBC Radio 4 (to be broadcast and launched on BBC Sounds worldwide in March 2024) and acting as Executive and Creative Producer on Sophie Fiennes’ feature film adaptation of Ralph Fiennes’ Four Quartets which recently premiered at Santa Barbara International Film Festival and is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer and in select cinemas worldwide.
Pixie Lott and Killian Donnelly will lead the cast of the 10th Anniversary Concert of MADE IN DAGENHAM at the London Palladium on Saturday 16 March 2024. Directed by Shaun Kerrison, further casting will be announced at a later date.
Tickets will go on Public Sale on Thursday 14 December 10am. Pre-sale sign up opens on Tuesday 12 December at 10am, with pre-sale tickets available to purchase from 10am on Wednesday 13 December.
Inspired by a true story and based on the hit film, MADE IN DAGENHAM is a powerhouse musical comedy about friendship, love and the importance of fighting for what’s right. With a critically acclaimed score, this raucously funny show really is the ultimate feel-good night out.
“If you want something done, ask a busy woman…”
Essex, 1968. When Ford’s Dagenham car plant drops female workers’ pay, mum Rita leads her friends in a battle against the mighty company and the corrupted union supposed to protect them. As the women’s journey grows, so does the pressure. Can Rita keep up the fight and the happy home she’s built?
Enduringly funny, touching and timeless, MADE IN DAGENHAM shows how ordinary people can do extraordinary things when they stand together.
The Concert is produced by Scott Garnham and Simon Schofield for Sisco Entertainment and directed by Shaun Kerrison (The Osmonds A New Musical UK Tour, Kiss Me Kate and My Fair Lady for BBC Proms, Resident Director The Lion King West End and Resident Director of Mary Poppins on Broadway). With a book by Richard Bean and music and lyrics by David Arnold and Richard Thomas, MADE IN DAGENHAM is based on the Woolley/Karlsen/Number 9 Motion Picture and performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International.
Pixie Lott is best-known as a music artist as well as appearing on The Voice and The X Factor as a judge. Since she made her stage debut in Nikolai Foster’s West End production of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, she has won ‘Best Supporting Actress’ in the Indiex Film Festival for her performance in That’s Just Me and recently finished filming for the ITV drama McDonald & Dodds. MADE IN DAGENHAM IN CONCERT will mark Pixie’s musical theatre debut.
Killian Donnelly is currently starring in the role of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables in the West End, having also played Valjean in the UK and Ireland Tour. He has played The Phantom in the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera (His Majesty’s Theatre) and he made his Broadway debut recreating the role of Charlie Price in Kinky Boots (Al Hirschfeld Theatre, New York), having originated the role in London (Adelphi Theatre) and for which he was nominated for a 2016 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical and shortlisted for a 2015 Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Musical Performance. Other credits include Bruce Bechdel in Fun Home (Gate Theatre Dublin), Jackie in Frank McGuinness’ Donegal (Abbey Theatre, Dublin); Huey Calhoun in Memphis (Shaftesbury Theatre) for which he received a 2015 Olivier Award Nomination for
Best Actor in a Musical; Deco in The Commitments (Palace Theatre) directed by Jamie Lloyd; Tony in Billy Elliot the Musical (Victoria Palace Theatre).
Film includes: Howard in Christmas in Notting Hill (Hallmark); Charlie Price in
Kinky Boots (Steel Heel Pictures) and Combeferre in Les Misérables (Working Title
Films) directed by Tom Hooper.
★★★★★ ‘The show the West End has been waiting for. Buy a ticket and go!’ Gay Times
★★★★ Mail on Sunday ★★★★ Observer ★★★★ Evening Standard
★★★★ ‘A conveyor belt of raucous fun’ Daily Mail
★★★★ ‘The best British musical since Billy Elliot’ The Stage
By Emma Barnes & Gill Gardiner, plus Alec aged 13 and Harrison aged 10
5*****
Craig Revel Horwood Shines as Wicked Stepmother
Craig Revel Horwood, the renowned Strictly Come Dancing judge, has brought his signature flair to the stage once again in the role of the Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella, at New Wimbledon Theatre. The show, which runs until 7th January is a delightful blend of classic storytelling, slapstick humour, and dazzling musical numbers, all brought to life by an energetic and talented cast.
Horwood’s portrayal of Baroness Demonica Hardup is Fab -u- lous, a masterclass in camp villainy, with his over-the-top costumes and flamboyant mannerisms ensuring that he is the most booed and hissed character on stage.
Despite his villainous persona, Horwood also manages to inject a touch of humour into the role, with his witty one-liners and exaggerated facial expressions keeping the audience entertained throughout. An unexpected highlight of the show was Craig losing his wig mid performance. It was of course handled with the utmost professionalism and only served to give the audience an extra laugh. His chemistry with the rest of the cast is palpable and ensures that the show never falls flat. Pete Firman as Buttons bedazzled the whole audience, particularly the ten year old in our family, with his skilful magical tricks and slight of hand. We still don’t know how he did it. His comedic timing was also particularly on point.
The rest of the cast is equally impressive, with Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist and Olivier-nominated actress Alison Jiear bringing stand out vocal talent as the Fairy Godmother. Daniel Norford as Dandini. We also loved to hate Tess and Claudia the Wicked Step Sisters who provided plenty of comedic moments.
The production is visually stunning, with a set that transforms seamlessly from Cinderella’s humble abode to the lavish ballroom of the prince’s castle. The flying carriage and horses is a spectacle for all ages. The costumes are equally impressive, with Horwood’s costume and wigs becoming gradually bigger and increasingly ridiculous as the story progresses.
The choreography is also top notch, with plenty of high-energy dance numbers. Horwood’s dancing is particularly impressive, as he brings his Strictly Come Dancing experience to the stage.
This pantomime is a timeless classic combining all of the traditional elements of panto. We were impressed with the balance of jokes and innuendos that spoke to every member of the family, a great introduction to theatre for little ones.
Overall , this is must-see for any fan of Cinderella, Strictly Come Dancing, or simply good old-fashioned family Pantomime. With its infectious energy, catchy songs, slapstick routines, and hilarious jokes, it has the audience hissing, booing, laughing,and singing along from start to finish. A surefire hit for the festive season guaranteed to leave you with a huge smile on your face.
Leeds City Varieties Theatre – until 7 January 2024
Reviewed by Sal E Marino
5*****
Another year and another outstanding Rock ‘n’ Roll panto is now on at the wonderful Leeds City Varieties, all through the Christmas season and into the New Year. As always, I loved it as the highly multi-talented cast are brilliant actors, dancers and musicians and just like every year, every line and move was delivered with high-energy and all of the songs were phenomenal!
Robin Hood (Samuel Pope) (and the Babes in the Wood, Hannah Baker and Louisa Beadel) is this year’s tale and where we find ourselves in Sherwood Forest with the evil Sheriff of Nottingham (Kenny Davies) terrorising all the locals. Luckily, Robin has Marian (Lucy Keirl) on his side, who with her quick wit and brains, helps saves the day. Caught up in the mix and employed to look after ‘The Babes’ is Nellie Night Nurse (Simon Nock) and I say it every year, but I’d love to go and see Nock do his own stand-up show as he makes me laugh-out-loud with every quip, expression and innuendo. I think the gold bodysuit stole the show this year!
The Sheriff was a great baddie and an amazing guitar player, I loved Kenny’s solo rock riff, wow! Norbert Numbskull Nobrains (Guy Freeman) stole all our hearts as the lovable fool with lots of slapstick comedy alongside his sidekick Portcullis. This year, the singing was even better (which is hard to beat!) and I was quite blown away by the quality of the voices – ‘I would do anything for love’ was perfect!
I can’t recommend this pantomime enough, your whole family or group of pals on a night out will just love it! There was everything everyone of any age wants: big belly laughs, songs we all know and can sing-along-to and even a water fight! A guaranteed great night out!
