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Sleeping Beauty by David LeeOriginal Music: Andrew RumbleOriginal Lyrics: David LeeDirector: Aiden Bell & Rita ProctorReviewer: John RobertsMagic really has come to New Brighton again but it is not the premier production of Sleeping Beauty that provides it, it is the new fantastic multi-million pound refurbishment to bring this regional theatre into the 21st century that really puts you under a spell.This production of Sleeping Beauty, written by Pantoni Pantomimes owner David Lee, needs to be locked in a tower for well over 100 years and never rear its head again. Pantomime should bring joy and laughter to the children, make adults revert to young children and we should all get swooped away in festive frolics of merriment and song – this just isn’t the show that will do it!This production lacks any pace (nearly 3 hours long and you know it) and never knowing what it wanted to be, was this a musical or was this a pantomime? with most of the songs being original there was no real ability to clap along to your favorite chart song, let alone leave the theatre humming any of the tunes (apart from CUTHBERT but there wasn’t really a tune to that anyway!) the pit band seemed out on the limb as most of the songs in this production were from recorded backing tracks. There was a distinct lack of any of your steadfast Panto routines, from the lack of “oh no you don’ts” and “It’s behind you’s” to a over played and dissapointly un-messy messy routine. There has been some real misjudgement in the casting of this production, Aiden Bell (who also directs) plays a ghastly Dame, with no real rapport with the audience, Mike Holoway of 70′s teen fame provides a very creepy and almost dad like Prince, even the [...]

Mikelangelo & Undine FrancescaReview: Honor Bayes‘Prepare to be plunged into a netherworld of dreams and desire as these transcontinental lovebirds weave together a collection of brooding, sensual and darkly humorous songs and stories for your delectation.’ Sitting on bean bags in the BAC’s already bohemian cafe atmosphere, as I bite the head off a ginger bread man given to me by a lady in grey, I realise that I have truly been plunged into the weird and wonderful world of Mikelangelo and Undine Francesca. Like a strange marriage between one of Dracula’s wives and Elvis post speed and hamburger binge, these two extraordinary and hypnotic performers deliver an hour’s worth of sensual songs, interweaving darkling stories with a rock-a-billy beat in a smooth flamenco style. With the constant hum of chatter in the bar behind, they never have to fight for focus or struggle to be heard, Mikelangelo’s relaxed fruity baritone and Undine’s undulating flicks, shimmers and wide eyed stares succeed in holding the audiences’ attention with such a potent force that at times you forget to blink. They tell us stories of dancing with devils, step by step, hoof by hoof, of a 50 foot woman who blocks out the sun and of Mikelangelo’s strange birth – hatching out of an egg which has fallen from a tree sheltering his copulating parents from the elements. Such is the depth and breadth of their imagination that even Tim Burton would be proud to call this evening his own, and the proceedings definitely have a strong whiff of Tom Waits about them. However these are definitely two unique performers and they compliment each other perfectly, sparring with one another through a mixture of piecing humour and desperate seriousness, they coax you into their world and although you may feel slightly unsettled [...]

Boys of the Empire by Glenn ChandlerDirector: Patrick WildeReviewer: Edward GamlinChristmas is a time for theatrical junk food – a month of panto and pastiche, of fairy tales and family plays for audiences to gorgethemselves on like tins of Quality Street and tea biscuits. While much of it is mindless fluff, occasionally somebody will slip in candied fruit: still sweet and indulgent but with a healthier item atthe core. Such is how I felt about Boys of the Empire. Take an old Public School pulp of the Boy’s Own variety and mix in the sultanas of double entendre and candied peel of post-Imperial retrospective andsteam into a laugh out loud Christmas pudding of a play.The 1930′s are upon us, and Pyke (Christopher Birks) is new to elite St. Elthelred’s, and being a bit of a wimpy sort finds himself on the wrong side of lipsy Jewish Ascher (Mark Farrelly) and half-Iraqi Kamal(Matthew Runham.) Fortunately he makes fast friends with dapper Overday (Alastair Mavor) and the duo find themselves on the wrong sideof the Iraqi resistance movement. Can they save the school from the Dark Circle without falling awry of Mr. Pratt or getting a beating from Morley in the sixth form?True to genre, the story is broken into five instalments, complete with introductions and letters to an unnamed magazine editor (Terence Barton) and stereotypical adverts straight out of a comic book. Likewise the vices which hover over the boys: smoking, gambling,sneaking out at night, and all sorts of beastly behaviours.Much of the humour in Glenn Chandler’s script comes from wordplay between Pyke and Overday, mocking both the upper class use of language and the homosexual undertones (here blatant overtones) of Public School stories as a genre. The punch, however, comes from an examination of colonial era attitudes, and how they [...]

Cinderella By Philip DartDirector: Philip DartReview by Helen Hunter & Family Having not seen a pantomime for many years, I’d honestly forgotten just how much fun could be had by all at such an event and this production of ‘Cinderella’ certainly did not disappoint! I was soon roaring with laughter (louder than my niece and nephew at times in fact) along with the rest of the audience. The Fairy Godmother (Denise Nolan), Buttons (Phil Gallagher – Mister Maker), Baron Hardup and the Ugly sisters, Camilla and Cherie, all helped to inject fun and boost the excitement whilst telling the classic story of Cinders as she copes with her hard life of chores and bullying from her siblings. Set in the village of Stoneybroke, the situation of Baron Hardup and his three daughters was a timely reminder of our current financial climate. So it was just as well we had the wonderful Denise Nolan as Fairy Godmother to take us away from our troubles into the magical fairytale with the perfect blend of mystery, energy and downright loveliness! With a slight ‘Mamma Mia’ theme running throughout, the high-pace musical numbers were by far the best and for sheer production values, credit must go to Jo Deaville for the Ugly Sisters’ (the excellent Andy Speigel and Michael Duncan) wardrobe! If I was to be particularly critical, the second half lacked the pace of the first and had some, though hysterical, moments that were somewhat irrelevant to the plot and dragged the story on. For a school night, it could have done with being just 20 minutes shorter as by 9.30p.m there were some very tired youngsters amongst the audience. For an all-round evening of family fun, this production of Cinderella hits all the right notes and perfectly combines the elements of tradition, [...]

Sunset BoulevardMusic: Andrew Lloyd-WebberBook & Lyrics: Don Black & Christopher HamptonDirector: Craig Revel HorwoodMusical Arranger: Sarah TravisReviewer: Honor BayesComing from a critically acclaimed run at The Watermill Theatre, Craig Revel Horwood’s production of Sunset Boulevard is a pared down offering of a melodramatic classic but is anything but blandly minimalist. Comprising of two fantastic male leads, a belting leading lady and a talented ensemble of actor/musicians, this is a show with a lot of punch in a production which perfectly balances the propensity towards the fantastical that lies within this story with a down to earth yet theatrically modern functionality. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s score is superb, at times hauntingly melancholic; it effortlessly intertwines the show’s ominous theme music with bombastic chorus numbers all performed by this marvellous company with a jaunty speak easy flare. The Watermill has pioneered the use of actor musicians in their shows and it’s a style which works brilliantly with this revival and Sarah Travis’ musical arrangements and Horwood’s choreography are faultlessly in sync. The fluidity with which the performers jump from playing a big scene to literally playing the flute in a love duet with a clarinet or a double base in an interview scene whilst smoking a cigar and acting, is wonderful to watch and makes the show feel like a truly ensemble piece. This whirling ensemble of players succeed in creating a rich and tangible atmosphere on stage and it is hard to imagine how this piece would work without them. To their credit I would not want to see another Sunset Boulevard without this form being followed. Ben Goddard does a marvellous job as Joe the young cynical writer who falls into Norma’s clutches and for a time seems happy to use her for his own mercurial ends. His detailed performance pitches [...]

Boeing Boeing by Marc CamolettiTranslators: Beverley Cross & Francis EvansDirector: Matthew WarchusReviewer: John Roberts If take offs are anything to go by then this show isn’t the fastest, but once you start flying, and the turbulence hits in, you are guaranteed a riotous evening (if you think that’s enough puns already then I can only apologise for what’s to come!)Matthew Warchus directs this touring production of his hit West End revival of Marc Camoletti’s french farce about a non marital polygamist Bernard and how through his knowledge of air timetables successfully navigates through three relationships simultaneously with three different air hostess’ from three different airlines, and through the help of his chambermaid Bertha things run smoothly enough, until one night Bernard’s cousin Robert comes to stay, a freak storm delays take offs at the airport and the fun begins.Marc Camoletti’s script is very funny and sticks close to the typical rules of Farce; the doors, the mistaken identity, the sexual chemistry, but it takes for my liking a bit too long to get into full flight, the first twenty five minutes of exposition drag and lack any real pace, but Warchus manages to keep the audience hanging on the runway long enough before the real speed picks up, and when it does it flies by faster the Concorde.Rob Howells lavish looking set – with multiple doors is simple and with the added splashes of colour really bring a sixties zing to the occasion, setting the tone and atmosphere with precise landing, even the choice or pre-flight french pop muzak gets you in the mood.What makes this show a success is the strength of its cast, all pulling in simply perfect performances; Josephine Butler provides us with a terrifyingly strong and brutal Lufthansa hostess Gretchen, Sarah Jayne Dunn brings real sassy [...]

Peter Pan by J.M BarrieAdaptor: Peter Denyer and Fenton Gray Director: Fenton GrayReviewer: Diane HigginsHaving vivid memories of a childhood visit to the Scala Theatre in London to see J.M. Barrie’s ‘play’ Peter Pan, it was with mixed feelings that I arrived at Richmond Theatre to see the 2008 ‘Panto’ production of the same name. But I need not have worried, as I found this production to be just the right mix of classic J.M.Barrie and traditional pantomime antics.The opening scene in the nursery, with Simon Callow as Mr.Darling and Helen Hobson as Mrs.Darlingand, their children Wendy, Michael and John introduced us to the Darling family and to Nana the dog, their nursemaid. It was well played in classic style without the need for music or singing. Exit the Darling parents, with an anxious Mrs. Darling worried that her children will be spirited away, without the banished Nana to guard them. Through the window entered a flying Peter Pan, played by Bonnie Langford, famed for her dancing and well suited to this acrobatic role. I found Bonnie, on the whole, a rather disappointing Peter Pan, apart from her excellent, athletic, flying routines. She appeared rather ‘stiff’ in her role and seemed to overact somewhat. For me I felt that she never became a ‘real’ plausible Peter Pan. Enter Captain Hook (Simon Callow) to a chorus of resounding hissing and booing, he had the exact measure of this part, he was a perfect Hook, with a menacing presence and a ‘big’ voice. Tony Rudd, as Smee, Hook’s sidekick and chief pirate was brilliant. He combined his pirate role with that of the panto ‘entertainer’. In this role he used both jokes (with only a ‘light’ sprinkling of ‘double-entendres’) andvery good and clever impersonations, which were understood and enjoyed by all the [...]

Mother Goose by Sarah Nixon & Mark ChattertonDirector: Mark ChattertonReviewer: Stephanie RoweThe Everyman have done it again! Each year the Christmas panto just gets better and better and that can be only down to the fact that this is a creative team that work well together and all have the same end goal of a fun filled Christmas extravaganza that can be enjoyed by Children and Adults alike.Telling the story of beloved and loving Ma Goose (Mark Chatterton marking a decade of Everyman panto’s) who never lets Chuck – her feathered friend out of sight since she found him abandoned, her son Bruce is in love with the Princess and the King won’t have anything to do with it, throw a witch that wants the blood of Chuck to keep her young and you have a panto that even the youngest members of the audience understand and this is credit to the wonderful script by Mark Chatterton and Sarah Nixon, who have once again produced a script full of double entendres that not only keep the children laughing but making sure the adults have a hoot as well. The directing is also courtesy of Mark Chatterton and he provides us with a high energy production that is helped along by a simple but effective set by Dinah England providing us with a painted garden and balcony, which is used throughout the show, my only concern was that people on the sides didn’t always get to see everything that took place on the balcony. Everyone knows that panto costumes need to be creative and bright and this is a show that keeps to those rules also designed by Dinah are a vision of pure hallucinogenic colour.The show started off quite dark and menacing and had my granddaughter clinging to me in [...]