Review - Cinderella - Little Theatre

Cinderella 

Little Theatre

15th Dec 2022

It's Panto time again - infact it's been panto time for a while now but this has been my first opportunity to get along to one! Life has been getting in the way of any festive feeling of late, and though I admit to being a bit of a grinch when it comes to early festivities, I do look to panto time as the signal for the celebrations to start. So I have been grinchy for longer than usual this year! However, The Little Theatre is providing some much needed seasonal cheer this week with Lee Brannigan Productions' Cinderella! 

This is pretty much a stock panto format - you'll find everything you would expect - goodies, baddies, fairy godmothers, silly songs, bad jokes, singing, dancing, ...and a happy ending! Sorry to give that bit away, but to be fair, if you don't know by now that pantos ALWAYS have a happy ending , then you simply haven't been paying attention! 

So, Cinderella is living at Hard-Up Hall with her friend Buttons, her father has been away on a trip and has tragically died soon after remarrying. His widow and two daughters are returning to his ancestral home in Cannyville in the hope of claiming any riches her husband has left her. I can't help feeling she wasn't too bright if she thought someone called Baron Hardup was a good catch! But hey - this is panto, and we're suspending our disbelief over everything! Obviously Baroness Hardup and her daughters, Fanella and Stella are not impressed with Cannyville, or Hardup hall, or their new step sister Cinderella - not even the rhyming name impresses them. She is quickly despatched to the scullery and the new Hardups take over the hall. 

Meanwhile, Prince Charming is out and about in the neighbourhood on a Royal Hunt, hunting not only a poor defenseless fox, but also a wife! Rivalry and hilarity ensue as the prince and Cinders fall for each other while the wicked step mother and sisters vie for his attentions. Devious plots are plotted, and heaven sent help from the fairy godmother saves the day. 

Thrown into the mix are musical numbers, dance routines, scary puppets, cute puppets, and a huge hat or two. Obviously.

Bella Bluebell is fabulous as the very glamorous, wicked (in more ways than one!) stepmother, sashaying on stage in an array of sparkling and outrageous frocks and wigs.  Her daughters Fanella (Megan Laing) and Stella (Melissa Cavanagh) bicker and backbite their way through the story in increasingly gaudy outfits. Kate Drysdale is a suitably sweet and forgiving Cinderella - I always find the heroine's a little insipid (not the fault of the actors playing the part, mostly it's down to the "tradition" of pantomimes) so it's a credit to Kate that she manages to make Cinders a little bit interesting, and she is also saved by a great singing voice for the musical numbers! Simon Stuart as the Prince, and Adam Davison as Dandini are a great pairing. Adam's facial expressions tell a great story!  Perhaps the surprise voice of the show is Rosie Diaz who is quite reserved and quiet for a fairy godmother - but her musical numbers revealed a strong singing voice! Last but not least we have Buttons - always my favourite in Cinderella and Brodie Daniel did not disappoint! There was great chemistry between Buttons and the Fairy Godmother and between Buttons and Baroness Hardup. His physical humour had the audience in stitches - especially when he goes all wibbly-wobbly under the fairy godmother's spell. 

We can't go without mentioning the dancers - no panto is complete without them - from Lee Brannigan Performance Arts Academy, CM Dance and Timeless Academy. A lot of dancers in a small space at times,  all beautifully and skillfully choreographed by Chantal McCartney. 

The show moves along at a cracking pace - the banter and one liners are nonestop, the jokes come thick and fast, and the singing is top class, not a bum note to be heard! 

It's fun, it's saucy, it will make you laugh out loud, and at times you'll gasp and think that's a bit much - we shouldn't be laughing at that in a family show...but it's funny and if you can't get away with a bit of the risque in a panto, then when can you?  

There are very limited tickets available, so if you're at a loose end one night next week grab one of the last remaining seats and go along to top up your festive spirit. Or, book now for next year's Beauty and the Beast to be sure you don't miss out! It'll be worth it - oh yes it will! 

Denise Sparrowhawk

Sleeping Beauty - Review - People's Theatre

Sleeping Beauty

People's Theatre  
14th December 2021

The People's Panto is back this year with the classic fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty. After a two year Covid hiatus it bursts back onto the stage with a flashbang and Fairy Canny (Emma Cockburn) introduces us to Geordieland and the sad tale of Princess Beauty who was cursed at birth by the wicked fairy Carabosse - on her 21st birthday she will prick her finger on a spindle and die. 

The panto begins 21years later, the day before Beauty's birthday and the day the curse should be fulfilled. Queen Sadie has done everything to keep her daughter safe, spinning wheels have been banned and Beauty has never set foot outside the Palace. So, everything will be fine, and the curse will never come to fruition! (Oh no it won't!)

The jokes come thick and fast, relentless at times! There are silly ones for the kids and plenty of innuendo for the grown-ups - there was a lot of raucous laughter from the row behind me at one or two of the more riskee jokes! The chemistry on stage between Queen Sadie and Chester the Jester keeps the panto bowling along at a cracking pace. Steve Robertson slips back into the Dame's Frock with ease, while Callum Mawston does a brilliant job of engaging the audience with his cheeky grin and quick repartee. Jonathan Goodman plays a blinding bad guy as Carabosse ably assisted by his sidekick Radgie Gadgie - a role played with unnervingly laidback malevolence by Daniel Magee. The level of booing is a good indicator of the quality of the bad guys, and on Tuesday night it hit the top level - booing started as soon as Carabosse and Radgie Gadgie appeared - no prompting needed! The two characters ooozed badness from the moment they stepped on stage! 

Of course it all ends with true love's kiss and a wedding - though there might be a little twist at the end. Is it Prince Frederick of Fenham who wins Beauty's hand, or does someone else bring her back from her hundred year's slumber? You'll have to buy a ticket to find out! 

This is a traditional Panto - with everything you would expect. It has all the jokes poking fun at neighbouring rival towns (Sunderland naturally comes in for some stick) and recent news stories (Boris gets a bit of stick too!); there are dastardly bad guys, sugary sweet good guys, cute little dancers (some of whom don't quite remember their steps), sing-alongs, sweetie hoy-outs, and lots of booing, hissing and cheering. And, of course, a happy ever after, because it wouldn't be a proper panto without that so am not giving away too much by saying that! 

Panto season is back and the People's Panto does not disappoint! Grab a ticket and enjoy an evening of good old fashioned family fun!!

Denise Sparrowhawk

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.

Preview - Jack and the Beanstalk - Royalty Theatre

ROYALTY THEATRE RETURN TO PANTO WITH JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

The Royalty Theatre’s annual pantomime is back, and this year it's Jack and the Beanstalk.

The much-loved kids’ classic has been given the panto treatment by local writer David Farn, and features Royalty Theatre newcomer Erin Moyse. Jack's magic beans cause merry mayhem and a fearsome encounter with the giant who lives atop a beanstalk.

Artistic Director Nikki Slack says “This year’s panto will entertain the whole family, with jokes and songs for all generations. It’s a must-see in the run up to the festive holidays.”

Also appearing is Royalty panto favourite Andy Barella as Simon, and writer David Farn steps into the high heels as Dame Flossie.

Tickets are already being snapped up, with many shows – including the four afternoon performances – already reduced to a small number of remaining tickets.

The pantomime will be performed from Thursday 13^th to Sunday 22^nd December, with evening shows taking place Tuesdays to Saturdays, and afternoon shows Saturdays and Sundays. 

Get your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. Book via www.ticketsource.co.uk/royaltytheatre or on 0333 666 3366. Group bookings for parties of 10 or more can be arranged via rtboxoffice@gmail.com.

Cinderella - Review - People's Theatre

Cinderella
The People's Theatre
8th December 2018


Written by Philip Meeks
Directed by Emma Jane Richards

Panto season has started again, and this year The People's Theatre have returned to the old classic Cinderella for their seasonal offering. I first saw Cinderella here back in 2011 with Emma Jayne Richards in the title role. This year she is directing the show and though the basic formula is intact, there are one or two little tweaks to the recipe.



To begin with, the stage doesn't give much away - just the curtain with Cinderella in suitably sparkly letters (so we know what we're here to see!) I admit to be being a touch surprised. This is pretty bare, no hint of a town, no castle in the distance, no branches suggesting a creepy forest? Two doorways either side of the stage draped with pink swags are the only clues to the princessy tale about to unfold. But, oh when the lights go down and the music starts! It's like the build up to the Oscars with music that builds to a fanfare crescendo and lights that dance across the stage and up into the audience like fairy dust...searchlights beam across us, as if looking for the stars on the red carpet! And then a flash and a bang - we screech in surprise and laugh at ourselves as Fairy Moonglow (Lynn Huntley) appears to introduce the story. She doesn't have it all to herself though - her evil sister Countess Malady (Cat White) muscles in to break the bad news that she has just married Count Hardup (Roger Liddle)  and is now Cinderella's new mother. I can't help but feel parents should take more care when naming their supernatural offspring - calling a fairy "Malady" is just asking for trouble.  

You all know the story - Cinderella (Georgia White) is forced out of her place in the family by the new stepmother and the ugly sisters, Buttons (Joe Robson) loves her but she only likes him, a handsome prince comes to visit but swaps places with his manservant and is taken down a peg by Cinders and is immediately smitten by her. He arranges a ball, Cinders can't go, cue Fairy Godmother and pumpkins and glass slippers and romance till midnight. 


Thrown into the mix are the usual panto ingredients:
There are the cross-dressing dames - Calpolla and Covonia, played by Stephen Waller and Dan Dickinson - who bicker and bite their way through the show, arguing with each other, with Buttons, with the audience...with everyone and anyone, except the good looking guys, basically! These two pretty sisters(!) are living examples of why proper blending is SO important when applying your make-up. 
There are helpful woodland animals, played by the ensemble from Jill Errington School of Dance, and the scary haunted bedroom scene (so scary one little girl had to be taken out until the scene was safely over!) 
And of course there is the community singing which this year is the ubiquitous Baby Shark - you know it had to be in there somewhere!

The script is pretty standard, but nice touches that raise this up from standard panto fayre are the ensemble of footmen and Dandini (James Harvey), the prince's right hand man, who are a rather hipster troup, looking very smart in their frock coats and stockings. While Prince Charming (Nick Warneford) is a deliciously swaggering youth. There is a distinct tongue in cheek feel to their scenes and dance numbers. Director Emma Jane Richards has chosen to dispense with the tradition of having a female actor playing the leading man so both prince Charming and Dandini are played by male actors. Only the Dames remain in that traditional comedy role.    

The lynch pin of Cinderella is of course Buttons and Joe Robson does a sterling job of keeping the audience engaged and joining up the dots in the story. On Saturday he gave a mammoth performance clearly struggling with a seasonal bug, and had almost no voice by the end of the show. I hope someone had a hot whisky and lemon ready for him in the green room after the show!

Photo credit: Paula Smart

This is a very colourful, visual production, scenery is at a minimum but the costumes and lighting work to give a sumptuous and glamourous feel and the "awwhhh" factor comes with the young ensemble dancers who are beyond cute, and the real, tiny pony pulling the carriage is a lovely touch. It has everything you need for a sparkly Christmas treat for the family.

Cinderella plays until 16th December and booking midweek is recommended - the weekend shows are already sold out!

Denise Sparrowhawk

Season Preview - Royalty Theatre

ROYALTY THEATRE ANNOUNCES 2018/19 SEASON 

The Royalty Theatre have announced the programme for their 2018/19 season, and it is a strong programme with a great mix of plays which we are very much looking forward to!

They begin a packed season with classic comedy No Sex Please, We’re British. 

The farce by Alistair Foot and Anthony Marriott kicks off a season that theatre bosses believe has something for everyone.  It’s joined in the comedy stakes by May’s Barefoot in the Park, the film version of which starred Robert Redford and Jane Fonda.

For fans of suspense drama, Daphne du Maurier’s My Cousin Rachel will be performed in October and November, and the time-honoured favourite Dial M for Murder is the Royalty’s March offering.  Hobson’s Choice in February and Jane Austen’s Emma in June add to the drama.

The annual pantomime this year is Jack and The Beanstalk by local writer David Farn.

Once again, the studio is put to use for intimate small scale productions with the premier in  January of Billy Towers’ Mary, Mary, based on the life of Jack the Ripper victim Mary Kelly.  April’s studio production is John Godber and Jane Thornton’s Shakers (Re-stirred)

Thanks to the popularity of last year’s A Night at the Musicals, The Royalty are reprising this for two nights only on September 7^th and 8^th.

Visiting companies include Pink Floyd tribute act What the Floyd, appearing on 5^th October.  Sunderland Stages return to the Royalty with Red Ladder Theatre’s The Damned United, the story of Sunderland and Middlesbrough legend Brian Clough’s ill-fated 44 days at Leeds United, on 13^th and 14^th November.

Artistic Director Nikki Slack says, “We’re now raring to go for the 2018-19 season. We have a year packed with a range of diverse plays that will appeal to all. Recent media has been much focussed on equality and ‘Girl Power’ is certainly coming back with a bang! Our programme of plays this coming season shines the spotlight on our female talent from more female-centred plays to our female directors and technicians.”

Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketsource.co.uk/royaltytheatre.  
Tickets for The Damned United are available from the Sunderland Stages website.

Snow White - Alun Armstrong Theatre - Review

Snow White
Alun Armstrong Theatre
15th Dec 2017

Directed by Lee Brannigan

My second foray into Pantoland this year took me to Stanley to the Alun Armstrong Theatre, for their in-house production of Snow White (the fairest panto of them all!).

At curtain up we meet the villain (villainess?), Queen Morgana of Cannyville. Once the boos have died down she sets the scene: you know the score, her kingdom is skint, the lucrative diamond mine is protected by magical dwarves and she can’t get her hands on the treasure, her step daughter is more beautiful than she, and the wealthy prince falls for her instead of the Queen. It’s the age old struggle, of good versus evil, true beauty versus vanity, greed versus generosity of spirit.

Will goodness and beauty prevail? Of course they will. But in order for that to happen we, the audience must be subjected to the gruelling ordeal of bad puns and awful jokes that is panto. And there are plenty of them! They come thick and fast from Nurse Bella and her son Muggles, and from the evil Morgana and her sidekick Seymour Snarl. There are puns to make you groan and jokes so bad your toes will curl - but of course this is what we expect, and the punchlines are eagerly anticipated and are cheered for and groaned at in equal measure.

As always Philip Meeks’ script is adapted to include local references - Beamish and Consett come under fire as does Stanley itself with references to The Big Asda and The Aldi that’s not even built yet (you can see both as you come into town). These local jokes always resonate with the audiences. We Brits are nothing if not willing to laugh at ourselves.

It’s not all about the jokes though - there is also the singing and dancing, the set and the costumes. The set is impressive - from the painted scenery of the castle, the forest and the dwarves’ cottage to the special effects with lighting and pyrotechnics, it creates a land of magic and mystery. Costumes are sumptuous - from Morgana’s dark and dramatic glamour, and Nurse Bella’s array of frocks for all occasions to the simplicity of Snow White and the villagers outfits, and the smart elegance of Charlie’s princley attire.

There are plenty of musical numbers to show off the singing talents of the cast, Sara Lumley has a fresh, light voice well suited to the character of Snow White, while Jon Dylan Brown’s solo shows why he graduated with a distinction in musical theatre! For me the showstopper is Andrea Atkinson’s rendition of Get the Party Started! She is fabulous, evil, but fabulous!

The dance routines, choreographed by Kathleen Knox are fresh and fun, and the ensemble and three principle dancers (Beth Shannon, Rachael Ward and Rhiane Finlay) work hard throughout the production. There must be some impressive fast changes going on back stage as they swap back and forth from village girl dirndls to skintight lycra and leotards.

Pantos are always full of over the top characters and this one is no exception. Lee Kyle is the archetypal best buddy, fall guy Muggles who garners the sympathy of the audience, while Martin Anderson as Seymour Snarl is the antithesis of this - he is brilliantly over the top with his shambling gate, gurning expression and elaborately obsequious grovelling. Neither of these can beat Bella Bluebell as Nurse Bella however, as she appears in an array of glorious frocks, hats and wigs. I think she must be the most glamorous Pantomine Dame ever, she certainly has better legs than most!

Interaction with the audience is great throughout but especially in the hilarious 12 Days of Christmas number. You have to experience it to beleive it. All I will say is, maybe take an umbrella or wear a mackintosh for the second act.

The programme says this is the theatre’s first pantomime and it’s a corker! The small cast work their socks off to create a panto that has more sparkle than Mr Sheen! And it has the voice of Alun Armstrong himself as The Mirror! It deserves a bigger audience so if you are looking for an outing this Christmas and are within driving distance of Stanley then book a ticket for this show. I came up from Hartlepool and it was worth every mile.

Snow White plays until 24th Dec. Tickets can be booked online at www.civichallstanley.co.uk or by phone on 01207 299110. It’s just £14 (£12 conc) or £38 for a family ticket.

Denise Sparrowhawk

Aladdin – People’s Theatre Newcastle - Review

Aladdin - People’s Theatre, Newcastle - 13th December 2017

Now having gone to see Jack and the Beanstalk last year at the same theatre and not being overly impressed,  I was hoping for a better experience with Aladdin.

I will always think of Robin William’s portrayal of Genie in the Disney version and ‘A Whole New World’ but this is panto and I admit I’m a pantophobe but I decided to come and see if this was any good.

Let’s start with the positives; Leon Gill (the guy’s an absolute legend) played Genie, He doesn’t have too much to do in the show but he is great and his singing is excellent. The other great singer that I went “wow” to is the princess, played by Madeline Carter. I have never seen her perform before but I do think that musical theatre is what she should go into.

The Princess is aptly named for this panto written by a Geordie - Philip Meeks - and performed in a Heaton theatre, and who could that be? Why Cheryl, of course!

Wishee Washee is played by Joe Robson - I think he’s found a role that suits him well - alongside the beautiful Widow Twanky, played by Steve Robertson. I think these two are great comedians and their comedic talent balances out their singing!

PC Tickle and PC Slap were played Nathan Hussain and Emma Cockburn. I would have liked to hear and see more of them as I couldn’t really see what the point of them is, and so I wasn’t really invested in their characters. 

Empress Ezmeanie played Sara Jo Harrison. She plays an evil person well (she must have needed lots of acting lessons as I’ve heard she’s actually really nice). Her on stage husband Emperor Jor-di who really only came to life in the 2nd half of the show has a great voice, and when Steve and Stephen sing a duet it is the latter who carries the song.

The real baddy in the story is Abanazar. Paul Gaitskell is absolutely fantastic. He plays to the crowd and his comedy timing is just on point. He is great even though sometimes the techie guys let him down, (more on that soon).

In the scene where they sing a song and someone disappears each time, the Mummy was played briefly by James Lane.

Have I missed anyone out?? Oh Yes I have!

The lead was played by Laurence Hussain and unfortunately I’m not 100% sure that he is one, in most of his songs he is overshadowed by more accomplished singers.

There is a large ensemble made up of many different people from the Chorus, Tap Dancers, Dancers from Newcastle High School and lots of little people who all did well.

The Lighting was amazing especially the final scene of the first act which you need to go and see for yourself. Designed by Scott Sweeting and crewed by Martin Collins, Dave Harvey and Amy Hardman.

The Choreography was fantastic and praise needs to go to Julie Bowman, Jill Taylor and Ruth Gibson and Joe Butcher for this.

But - here goes nothing!! As someone who is hard of hearing and a sound engineer, I have to say at times it sounded terrible. As last year, the music is played through a computer and it would be so much better live!

Directed by Emma Jane Richards and Assisted by Craig Fairbairn. 

The production is okay. Some things are amazing but there are some parts of it that let it down so much unfortunately, hopefully they will get better.

On until 17th of December 2017.  

Reuben Hiles

Preview - Dick Whittington - Royalty Theatre

ROYALTY THEATRE’S 2017 PANTOMIME IS  DICK WHITTINGTON 

The Royalty Theatre will see out 2017 with their annual family pantomime, and this year it is  Dick Whittington.

The much-loved family classic follows the story of Dick Whittington and his cat, who travel to London in the hope of seeking Dick’s fortune.  Along the way he meets the beautiful Alice, but also the evil King Rat – whose villainous plans soon cause trouble for Him. 

Helen Bowie writes and directs the pantomime, following her overwhelming success last year with  Aladdin.  She says, “I love everything about panto and, after the success of last year, the Royalty have very kindly asked me back, which is another dream come true. We are having a riot in rehearsals and I hope that the audience enjoy watching it as much as we enjoy performing it!” 

Award-winning panto actor Andrew Barella is once again in the comedy role as Idle Jack, and he’s joined this year by David Armstrong as Dame Sarah, Olivia Bowern as Dick, Lauren Hawkes as Alice and James Errington as Dick’s cat. 

The pantomime runs from 7^th to 17^th December, with evening performances Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7.15pm, and afternoon shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 2.15pm.

Tickets can be purchased in advance from the theatre website www.royaltytheatre.co.uk

Alice in Wonderland - Review - Northern Stage

Alice in Wonderland
Northern Stage
30th Nov 2017



On the coldest most wintery day of the year so far I made the journey up the A19 from Hartlepool to Newcastle to see Alice in Wonderland at Northern Stage. The sudden change in the weather made for a strange journey. The glaring headlights and fiery tail lights of queuing traffic refracted and distorted in reflections on the wet road as it snaked its way northward - not unlike the writhing, red eyed jabberwock I was soon to encounter.

Northern Theatre is transformed for the show, creating a huge space with audience on three sides of the stage. Ramps lead down from the stage bringing the action right out into the audience. Colourful, curious, clown like characters enter from side doors, from the rear of the auditorium, from the back of the stage. They appear on balconies high above and they pop up through trapdoors below the stage. It creates movement and excitement, a sense of the unexpected and a degree of disorientation, mirroring Alice's own experience of the bizarreness of Wonderland. The audience is swept along with Alice on a tide of music and song, as each new set of characters dance and prance across the stage, each bringing their stories and strange adventures. The music is live and jazzy, played by the band who are also characters in the play which makes it all the more fluid and dreamlike as the characters move in and out of the action.

The fact that other members of the cast play several parts adds to the surrealness and the confusion, and they all morph seamlessly and convincingly from one character to another - you are left feeling "just a minute - wasn't he/she just something else....?" It is brilliant! (have I said that already?)


Is it possible to pick out outstanding performances? They are all so good - but Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum (Michael Blair and Andrew Bleakley) get the most laughs for their contrariness. We love Chris Price as the White Rabbit, Great Blanco and the Mad Hatter, and Clara Darcy as The Cheshire Cat (unnerving and great use of parasols!), the Mad March Hare (I think, maybe, my favourite?) and Ma. The Ensemble. which included students from Newcastle College, are magnificent, keeping the action and the confusion and the laughter going throughout.

Alice herself is a very real character - a child with challenges of her own in life, she is tough and resourceful, inquisitive and curious. Alex Tahnee plays the part beautifully; her Alice is an entirely credible and engaging child and is the one point of sanity in this weird, wonderful, completely bonkers world!


Written by Theresa Heskins and directed by Mark Calvert this Alice in Wonderland is far removed from Disney's homogenised animation. Inspired by the Moulin Rouge, it takes Carroll's story and adds an extra element of fantasy. It has the feel of a circus with hints of clowns and acrobats and larger than life characters. It is a huge, energetic show bursting with colour and fun. Mark Calvert and Zoe Murtagh have excelled at producing a show that keeps both children and adults fully absorbed and entertained. The rapturous applause at the end of is completely and utterly deserved.

Alice in Wonderland plays until 6th Jan - if you see nothing else this festive season, see this! It's more than worth a trip through ice and snow.

*photo credit Pamela Raith


Denise Sparrowhawk

Robinson Crusoe - Review - Gala Theatre

Robinson Crusoe

Gala Theatre
25th Nov 2017

We launch straight in to the action with the flamboyant Capt Blackheart casting his crew off the plank into the sea! Rolling waves and crashing music give way to the siren's song and the appearance of Aquamarina, Queen of the Sea, fabulous in her watery fountain. She sets the task for Capt Blackheart - to find the Pearl of Wisdom on the Island of Flames he must first recruit a young lad Robinson Crusoe. Only he has the secret to finding the island and the pearl. And so it begins...

This panto is packed full of terrible puns, and awful jokes; poop-decks and parrots are an abundant source, obviously! But it is lifted up a notch by the preponderance of positively perilous tongue twisting alliteration scattered throughout. None of the characters escape this and they deserve a medal for getting through them without tripping up or

corpsing! The song and dance routines upbeat and the choreography by Amanda Woods has a refreshing originality.

The cast do a tremendous job throughout - Neil Armstrong as Horatio "Hooray" Blackheart is a mean but rather understated baddie - he secretly longs for us to join in the "Hoorays" rather than the boos? Lauren Waine's Percy/Polly Perkins has more than a touch of Blackadder in her thigh-slapping delivery. Paul Hartley is completely over the top as Billy Bob, the (ahem) younger brother to Robinson, as he his gurns and flounces his way through the play. Jamie Brown is an engaging hero with just the right amount of innocent naivety. Glamour comes in the form of Jayne Mackenzie as Aquamarina and Paul Dunn as Dame Connie. It's a toss up as to who has the best frock, but Jayne wins hands down on the singing! The youngsters in the cast are all great - stepping up to their moment in the spotlight and delivering with confidence and a good deal of stage presence.
And finally there is John Murdoch as Pecky the Parrot - who saves the day! My one disappointment is that he doesn't get to go through the Cave of Diminishing Returns but I suppose that would have spoiled the ending - I can't explain that any further without spoiling it myself, so you'll have to buy a ticket to see what I mean!

The set is quite fabulous and there are lots of special effects with lighting and props, dry ice and water (watch out if you sit in the front stalls). The scene changes are quick and slick. Costumes are colourful and fun from Blackheart's dandy captain's coat to Dame Connie's ludicrous outfits (my favourite is the shipwrecked barrel and seagull).

This version of Robinson Crusoe bears little (none at all, actually) resemblance to the story by Defoe - there's a desert island and some marooned people and a passing reference to Man Friday but that's about it. Not that that matters at all because this is pantoland and anything goes! The plot is a quest for the Pearl of Wisdom - the baddy (Captain Blackheart) wants it and it will be a bad thing if he succeeds so the goody (Robinson Crusoe) is sent in (unknowingly) to the save the day and redress the balance of good and evil. And isn't that what panto is all about?

Despite having  all the right ingredients the cast had a hard job keeping the audience on board last night, though I don't know what more they could have done. It's an early start to a long run for Robinson Crusoe and I'm sure as the season progresses the audience participation will only get better.

Robinson Crusoe is fun, flamboyant and makes a interesting change from the usual fairy-tale panto fayre.

Denise Sparrowhawk

Royalty Theatre - New Season - Preview

2017/18 Season Preview
Royalty Theatre

The Royalty team never shy away from staging plays that challenge their performers and their audiences. Their 93rd season is no exception. There are some dark and chilling tales coming up with a spattering of comedy to lighten the mood.

The season kick starts fairly safely with an Agatha Christie classic. And Then There Were None is widely considered to be Christie's masterpiece and her darkest tale. The tension and suspense builds throughout to the climactic reveal. Who is next on the list of casualties and just who is killing off the guests? And Then There Were None runs from Sept 18th - 23rd.

From Agatha Christie they move to Dennis Potter's Blue Remembered Hills. A chilling drama set in the Forest of Dean in the summer of 1943. Childish games take sinister turn. Not supernatural but definitely something evil here, a good choice for Halloween and Guy Fawkes week it runs from Oct 30th to Nov 4th.

Christmas and the Panto Season rescue us from the darkness for a spell, thrusting us into the adventures of Dick Whittington, and a more light-hearted battle of good and evil. Will the streets be paved with gold? Maybe, maybe not, but the stage will be paved with song, dance and jokes from 7th- 17th December. Oh yes, it will...

New year brings more murder and madness with a studio production of Shelagh Stephenson's Five Kinds of Silence.  This dark play explores the damaged relationship between a man and his family. Its claustrophobic atmosphere makes it a perfect choice for staging in the studio. It runs from 24th to 27th Jan.

February brings a Pulitzer Prize winning play - The Rabbit Hole by David Lindsey-Abair. This play deals with the nature of grief and investigates with drama and humour how different family members cope with loss. From Feb 19th-24th.

The second half of the season takes a lighter turn with Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense. This Goodall Brothers adaptation of  this PG Wodehouse tale runs from Mar 19th to 24th.

Their second studio production is a touching and witty fictional account of the Occupy London Protests of 2011. Temple by Steve Waters occupies the stage from 25th-28th April.

From a very British crisis we move to a typically English farce in Move Over Mrs Markham by Ray Cooney and John Chapman. Two couples separately arrange to use a friend's flat to meet up with their lovers...confusion and hilarity ensue between 21st - 26th May.

The final show of the season is Mike Kenney's adaptation of The Wind in the Willows. A great family show with Mole, Badger, Ratty and of course, Toad of Toad Hall. Explore the Wild Wood with them from 25th -30th June.

As well as the main programme, there are a number of one off performances including a concert by soprano Joanna Forest and an Open Clasp production of Rattle Snake from Sunderland Stages in October,  and in July there is the opportunity to see work by Lee Stewart, one of the Royalty's regular actor/directors as they stage his latest play There's Someone Coming Through.


All the details are available on the Royalty website. Tickets are available now and can be booked online or in person at the box office - times and dates are listed on the site. At under a tenner a ticket it's a night at the theatre that won't break the bank.

Denise Sparrowhawk

Beauty and the Beast - Westovians Pier Pavilion - Review

Beauty and the Beast

Westovians at the Pier Pavilion
Jan 15th 2017

Eleven o'clock on a Sunday morning feels like a strange time to be coming to the theatre. And since for most people the Festive Season has been well and truly over for a good week at least, it feels even stranger to be coming to a Panto. We are all back at work and school with our noses to the grindstone and festive frivolity has been packed away. But not at the Pier Pavilion  in South Shields - here they are just getting started! The Christmas tree is still up in the foyer and the Beauty and the Beast is set and ready to go...Oh yes! It is!

This tale as old as time makes a passing reference to the Disney version (I suppose these days all fairy tales have to, despite the tightly bound performance rights) but it is very much its own tale. Writer Philip Meeks is accomplished at writing pantomimes that draw on the original tales and cock a polite snook at the establishment.

So we have the story of Jolieville, a french town under siege by a hideous monster, and an even more hideous and corrupt Mayoress. In the town there is a beautiful girl - Belle (french for beautiful) and of course she is beautiful inside and out as true heroines in Panto always are. Only she is able to see the good inside the Beast and she sets out to prove that he is not all bad and to save him from the curse he is under. She is aided and hindered in this endeavour by various comic characters - from her father the inept Professor Baguette to friends Bertie and his mother Dame Fifi Latrine. Naturally there are many hilarious puns and word plays derived from their ludicrous panto names, and a healthy mix of fart and pee jokes for the kids and smutty innuendo for the adults. There is magic that has gone wrong, a terrible curse that must be broken and an evil sorceress who must be vanquished before everyone can live happily ever after ( hope that hasn't spoilt the ending for you all - if you've not been to a panto before you may not realise that there is always a happy ever after - that is the whole point). There also always has to be a parade of increasingly bizarre frocks for the dame, a custard pie or two in the face, and lots of booing, hissing and screaming from the audience. Am happy to report that this panto has all of the above in shed-loads.

The cast execute the whole thing well - keeping the audience engaged against all the odds at times, battling against the noise of rustling sweet wrappers and fractious toddlers, to sing dance and joke their way through the plot. David Foster as Diablo and Erin Atack as Mme Bon Bon keep the story straight so the audience know that the Beast (Ty Roach) and Belle (Ashley Mitchell) are following the plan. Craig Richardson and Stephen Sullivan are the stars of the show as Bertie and Fifi Latrine, keeping the audience involved with jokes and banter throughout. In fact I think all pantos should introduce a karejoke contest from now on. The baddies of the show are Gary Manson and Annie Cairns as Claude and Camilla Parker-Bike and they are suitably booed as their nefarious deeds unfurl. That said, the high spot of the show for me has to be Mme Fifi's duet with Professor Baguette (Mark Lamb)- you just can't fight a feeling like that and you probably shouldn't try.

Staged traditionally in January to avoid competition with other theatres in the area - perhaps most notably the Customs House just down the road - the Westovians timing is a piece of genius. Nothing lifts your spirits so well as a room full of kids (and adults) screaming "he's behind you!" at a stage sporting a man dressed as a woman with a preposterous outfit and a huge hairy monster (now, now you smuttmeisters! What did you think I was going to say?). So if you are labouring under new year blues nip along to Shields for a couple of hours of belated festive fun.

Beauty and the Beast plays until Sat 21st Jan. Tickets can be bought from the box office tel 0191 456 0980. You could do worse than buy a ticket for this (seriously, it's worth it just to see the duet!)

Denise Sparrowhawk

Jack and The Beanstalk - Peoples Theatre - Review

Jack and The Beanstalk

People's Theatre

13th of December 2016  

The People's has recently gone through a makeover and the foyer is now more open and light which is a good thing. It's a work in progress but the signs are good.

So it’s Panto season (oh no it isn’t? Oh yes it is!) and thankfully it's behind me after I write this.

The show is based on the fairy-tale of Jack and the Beanstalk written by Philip Meeks. Fairy Alfalfa played by Rhiannon Wilson bounces onto the stage along with Sprout played by Daniel Magee (who did a fantastic welsh accent if I do say so myself) to give us the background to the story. We then meet Jack Trott played by Joe Robson, he has a friend called Simon the Pieman (have a guess what he makes?!) played by Nathan Hussain. Jack’s mother Nelly Trott was played by the Delightful Steve Robertson and his frocks were good (Spike wants them back when the show is finished!!)

The annoying and bratty Princess Mercedes was played by Alicia Lambert, and her older brother Prince Marmaduke by Stephen Waller who had a fantastic voice. The baddies Lord Fester and Lady Fangaria Fleshcreep were played by Craig Fairburn and Sara Jo Harrison who together did an amazing version of Bad by Michael Jackson.

Myrtle, The Giants Housekeeper. who we meet at the second act has a big secret (it brings the EastEnders intro out). The voice of Giant Bonecrunch was Ricky Alexander Shaw and there was a small part for Barbara Edmundson as the Princess's Maid.

This Panto had many bad puns and jokes within the script - most of them were terrible but that’s panto for you! (edit:oh yes it is! DS)  There was even a dancing cow (played by Laura and Jo Blackett).

The lighting was great and some of the songs were amazing but unfortunately a lot of the songs/singers were let down by the sound. The music was pre recorded and put through a computer and was set a bit too loud for some of the singers and it didn’t help that some of the soloists struggled to perform tonight. Hopefully the sound can be sorted out for other performances.

The Main cast where supported by a small chorus, Irish dancers from Clann Na Ngael Irish Dance Academy and a team of juniors and babes (I think it was Team B tonight). They all performed really well and added that cute factor to the performance.

This show is Great for kids (big kids and little kids) and adults as well. There is even the traditional sing-along song. Hopefully they will sort out the sound but if you like panto its got everything you'd expect and more. 

Jack and the Beanstalk plays until Sat 18th Dec - tickets can be booked via the website

Reuben Hiles