Dick Whittington - Review - People's Theatre

Dick Whittington

People's Theatre
7th December 2019

It's Panto Season again - doesn't the time fly by? 
This year The People's Theatre has opted for Dick Whittington. The tale of an ambitious lad from Heatonia who sets off into the wide world to try to make something of himself. He arrives in London expecting great things - he's heard that the streets are paved with gold. The reality, sadly, is not so glamourous. London's streets are dirty and smelly - due to an infestation of rats, lead by the evil Queen Rat (Kate Reilly) who plans on beating the townsfolk into submission and then making herself Lord Mayor. 
Of course there I a fly in her ointment in the form of a young boy, pure of heart, who will thwart her plans and become Mayor himself - I wonder who that could possibly be? Might it be our very own Dick Whittington? Oh, yes! It could!

We learn of Dick's fate from the Spirit of Bow Bells, who is charged with helping Dick achieve greatness. Now if I may say so Bow Bells lacks a certain assertiveness, and I feared if put to the test his magic might not stand against that of Queen Rat! However, whatever Paul Gaitskell's silvery sprite lacks in magical assertiveness he more than makes up for in style - sporting possibly the best costume in the panto, he twinkles and sparkles across stage.
He does provide Dick with Tommy the Cat though - who proves to be a formidable ally in the fight against the rats and Emma Cockburn wins the hearts of the audience as Dick's purrfect feline friend.

Dick (Evelyn Ryan) meets Alice (Alice Dalgleish), daughter of Alderman Fitzwarren (Stewart Dives) and it is love at first sight (naturally, this is panto and there has to be a wedding!) He gains employment in the Alderman's shop hoping to prove himself worthy to court Alice. But Queen Rat foils his plans by hypnotising the feckless Idle Jack and making him hide the Alderman's cash in Dick's bundle. Dick is sacked and sent away, while he rest of the cast get ready for a trip to Morocco to buy goods to stock the shop. Are you still following this?

Of course, Bow Bells calls Dick back - turn again Whittington! - and he stows away (as does Alice) so that he can prove his innocence, beat Queen Rat and marry Alice... (come on, that's not a spoiler, we all know there's going to be a happy ending, wha you don't know is how it will all come about - and for that you're going to have a buy a ticket and go see the show!)

Stars of the show are undoubtedly Steve Robertson as Sarah the Cook, and Joe Robson as Idle Jack who between them provide almost all of the terrible jokes and keep the audience laughing.  Joe's energy throughout keeps the show bowling along and both the adults and the kids in the audience fully engaged. Roger Liddle is excellent (as always) in the role of Captain Flotsam and he is more than ably helped by First Mate Ben Dover, played brilliantly by Nick Warneford - he deserves a bigger role if he auditions for next year's panto! The dancers from Jill Errington's School of Dance were as adorable as ever, providing the awh! factor as the little ones come on in their cute costumes.

There is lots of skulduggery, lots of bad jokes - I mean, really, really bad jokes - some singing, some dancing, a load of pyrotechnics (bit loud and smoky!) and loads of laughs! This is a traditional panto, and it hits pretty much all the buttons for a good evening out - whether you go with the kids, or like me, with your big sister!

Well worth it for an evening away from politics and Brexit - take a night off and go have some good old fashioned fun.

Dick Whittington plays until 15th December - book in advance to be sure of a seat.

Denise Sparrowhawk

The Snow Queen - Review - Northern Stage

The Snow Queen

Northern Stage

Thursday 5th December 

Sometimes you go to see a show and afterwards think to yourself, 'well that was something a bit special'. Northern Stage's production of The Snow Queen definitely falls into that category for me. Adapted by Laura Lindow and directed by Mark Calvert, this version of Hans Christian Andersen's fable certainly captures both the strange and beautiful elements of it perfectly.

There have been lots of different versions and interpretations of this classic story throughout the years, more recently being the inspiration for Walt Disney's Frozen.This adaptation tells of the townsfolk of Stifle, and as the name suggests they have barricaded themselves in behind a wall from the threat of the outside. They lead a restrictive way of life with very strict rules that must be followed in order to keep themselves protected from what peril lies beyond. 

The tale is of, and told by, Gerda (played by Lauren Waine) and the friendship she forms with a boy called Kai (Gregor Mackay); a newcomer to the school she attends. As their friendship grows and flourishes Kai starts to question all the rules and restrictions - why are they not allowed to speak openly of their hopes and wishes and what exactly is beyond the barricade?

One fateful night he speaks aloud of these things, climbs to where he shouldn't and he, along with other children of the town, goes missing. It is then that we enter the icy world of The Snow Queen. It is now up to Gerda, through her friendship and with strength and courage (and a snowglobe) to enter The Snow Queen's world and discover the fate of Kai and the others who are missing. Can she rescue them or will The Snow Queen get her wish of a perpetual winter?

What I loved about this show was that it felt magical throughout. It is a very lavish production, a

stunning set with the props the lighting the sounds all adding to the excitement. The stage is like a boardwalk with audience on opposite sides and it is used throughout to great effect. There is great energy from all the cast. Lots of lively singing and dancing making the tale being told a delight visually and musically.

Many members of the cast took turns in playing different instruments too. This I particularly enjoyed, the musical score played live upstairs on the stage. Described as rustic and folky, the music really fitted the vibe of the production. The puppetry was used really effectively and made the stage become even more alive, especially when the reindeer appears.

The costumes were great, very colourful and quirky. Special mention must go to The Snow Queen. As she became more powerful her costumes became more and more stunning and spectacular.

There is a mild danger element to the story, but lots of interesting characters and lots of fun, merriment and humour included in the show too (its suitable for the whole family, great for ages 5+) Particular mention must go to the schoolteacher and strict disciplinarian Elsie Orr (Paula Penman) who for me provided the biggest laughs and played her part brilliantly.

To find out if Gerda fulfills her dream of playing a musical solo, and if she succeeds in her quest to stop The Snow Queen's plan and save Kai and the missing children, to discover if the people of Stifle will have a happy Christmas….The Snow Queen is on until 4th January 2020. I thoroughly recommend a visit to see it. *Picture Credit: Pamela Raith Photography

Belinda Bekki-Winter

Preview - Robin Hood - Royalty Theatre

ROYALTY THEATRE TO STAGE ROBIN HOOD PANTOMIME

Sunderland’s Royalty Theatre will see Christmas in with their annual pantomime, which this year is Robin Hood.

Written by the Royalty’s James Errington, who also stars as the legendary lincoln-green outlaw, the show follows the adventures of Robin Hood and his band of merry men, as he tries to foil evil-doers and win the heart of Maid Marian.

Director Helen Bowie says, “I absolutely love panto and am thrilled to be directing Robin Hood at the Royalty Theatre.  It isn't a panto you see every year and you've definitely not seen a version like ours. The cast and crew have worked so hard and I hope as many people can see the fruits of their hard work.”

Alex Goodchild, James Errington and Andy Barella.

Credit: Royalty Theatre

Joining James in the cast are panto regulars Andy Barella as Munchy Bob and Alex Goodchild as Friar Tuck.  Erin Moyse stars as Maid Marian.

The show runs from 12 to 22 December with evening shows on Tuesdays to Saturdays, and matinées on Saturdays and Sundays, some of which are close to selling out.

Tickets are £8/£6.50 in advance, £9/£7.50 on the night and canb booked via www.ticketsource.co.uk/royaltytheatre or on 0333 666 3366.

Plays remaining this season are Robin Hood (12-22 December), Two (22-25 January), Shadowlands (17-22 February), God of Carnage (23 to 28 March), Wait Until Dark (18-23 May) and Dirty Dusting (22 to 27 June).

Group bookings for parties of 10 or more can be arranged via rtboxoffice@gmail.com.