From the countdown of the curtain raising until the final curtain call, the folk of Preston were ready for audience participation at this years' pantomime on the opening night at The Charter Theatre, and I would imagine there will be some very hoarse people around tomorrow!
What a night of fantastic, festive, fun! There is nothing quite like a pantomime that allows adults to become big kids and believe me it wasn't just the little ones shouting out "It's Behind You", "Oh No You're Not"' and hissing and booing at St Helens Theatre Royal on the opening night of Snow White. Once again to a packed house, Regal Entertainments present a children’s favourite tale and bring to life the characters.
There is nothing quite like a pantomime to get you into the Christmas spirit and for many a child it is their first trip to the theatre so to put on a show that appeals to every age group is a big ask. You are in safe hands with Martin Dodd for UK Productions who this year in association with the Blackpool Grand Theatre celebrate the 21st anniversary of staging pantomime at the Grand with this year's presentation of Cinderella being the perfect choice as it was also the very first performed there all those years ago.
It seems like you just need to blink and we’re back in panto season again. Complete with a few blasts from the past, this year’s offering from The Plaza in Stockport is Aladdin.
Anyone who was hoping for a retelling of the Disney classic will be disappointed. The story follows a young man named Aladdin who dreams of marrying the Princess. As with any panto this show was packed with campness, terrible jokes, comedy chases, songs and maybe one or two wardrobe malfunctions.
After a long year of watching challenging theatre of variable quality it is a relief to just wallow in the daft delights of Aladdin: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto.
Make no mistake this panto is not trying to reinvent the genre and, thank god, as I like my festive fix of silliness to be old fashioned with romantic leads, an OTT dame, a fool and as much innuendo as you can shoehorn into two hours.
The audience were in fine voice this evening, doing a grand job with the call and response. The boundless energy from the cast was truly reflected through their reactions.Tonight was like a jukebox panto, giving us flashes of cleverly-placed classic well-known songs from many genres and decades. The scenery was incredible and the performers used the space and set well, appearing at points from various nooks and crannies in the scenery.
Theatr Clwyd brings back its famous Rock ‘n' Roll Panto for another season and this year in the form of Sleeping Beauty. Written by Peter Rowe we are treated to an evening of musical and vocal genius. The script is extremely funny, very current, including the likes of Prince Harry and Meghan and included a skit of a rugby match for Wales. Very clever.
Pantomime season is upon us again (oh yes it is!) and this year my first festive review is Dick Whittington by Fine Time Fontayne and Kevin Shaw hosted at the stunning Oldham Coliseum Theatre a hidden gem of a theatre tucked away in a side street of Oldham town centre. I was accompanied by my two lovely co reviewers aged nine years and five years old who eagerly awaited for the show to begin armed with their Flashing Rings and sweets purchased from the merchandise stand all flashing and highly attractive to the youngsters.
Regal Entertainments have done it again!.........Oh yes, they have! At the Theatre Royal, St Helens yet another fabulous pantomime hits the stage and as someone who has been to almost every panto they have presented my expectations are high and once again I am not disappointed.
This year the Grand Theatre Blackpool will stage one of the most enchanting rags-to-riches fairy tales of them all Cinderella with an all-star cast.
Featuring sumptuous costumes, magnificent scenery and the unmissable and magical moment when Cinderella swaps her rags for a stunning ball gown and is transported to the Prince’s Ball.
Filled with excitement, despite knowing this wonderful family favourite show like the back of my hand I pondered over what to expect. However, on entering the beautiful Art Deco theatre in Stockport there was an excited buzz from the audience. A large proportion of the audience consisted of many ‘munchkins’ on their anticipated journey over the rainbow, in disguise as excited children on their school holidays.
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