Fabulous start to the festive season
It's funny how some traditions live long and strong, year
after year. Take Panto season, which is here again (oh yes it is); the usually
demure and sedate theatre going audiences are suddenly turned into and accompanied
by screaming kids sporting all manner of flashing appendages; the knowing
whispers when an actor misses a line are swapped for roars of laugher both on
& off the stage and the 4th wall is torn down and ceremoniously trampled on
as young and old are encouraged to great the cast with cheers, boos, chants and
giggles.
This years offering at Durham Gala is yet again a riotous mix
of song & dance which will have everyone in tears of laughter (tho not
always for the same reason). Clearly aimed at the kids, the script stays clean
and simple, the use of musical numbers fresh and engaging while the visual
gags, especially the laundry scene, will never fail to get everyone laughing
(or cowering if you’re in the front 6 rows). Directed by the brilliant
(in both talent and name) Gareth Tudor Price, this is another sure-fire
success his the every growing list of box office smashes.
Opening with my favourite panto villain, Neil Armstrong, as
Abanazar, ensures that the audience are left in no doubt that this is as
traditional panto as ever there was. Looking very much like an evil Harold
Meeker (from Rentaghost) he elicits all the boos from the kids while playfully
abusing their parents. Neil has been playing this type of role for many years
and has honed it to such a fine art that I hazard to suggest he probably gets
booed throughout the year, not just in panto season. The other Gala stalwart,
Paul Hartley, is back, this time as Wishee Washee, and like Neil, brings his
perfected panto craft that the kids lap up in spades. The perfect foil for the
evil Abanazar, Paul’s Wishee is daftness personified.
Adding to the well known panto cast are some ‘newbies’ – fresh
from their run in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Durham, Chris Connel,
Viktoria Kay and Robert Hudson make their Panto bows. Chris, as the panto dame,
Widow Twankey, had a choice to make, either play it totally camp (a la
Christopher Biggins) or bring a more butch element to the role – Chris has gone
for the latter and it works perfectly, he never tries to disguise his wonderful
northern accent and coupled with his imposing figure in a frock he makes for a
quite intimidating dame; if he picks you as his ‘boyfriend’ then you’d better
say yes and quick. Viktoria plays the Emperor’s royal policeman and is a
fabulous comedic sidekick. Sporting a silent movie style tash which has a life
of its own, she is reminiscent of the Keystone Cop Sergeant, full of energy and
a huge hit with the kids. Finally Robert, as the Emperor, has the regal poise
and authority needed to demand obedience, but underneath there is clearly a
sense of fun just waiting for the chance to break free - their homage to
Wilson, Keppel and Betty (Google them, you'll know who I mean) had me literally
gasping for breath.
Of course, Aladdin wouldn’t be Aladdin without the lead and
his Princess. Matt McGoldrick is a very youthful ‘street urchin turned prince’,
a friendly and engaging guy who draws the young kids into the land of make
believe and keeps them rooting for him throughout. Christina Andrew is every
bit the princess; beautiful, kindly and there is clearly some great chemistry
between the two. Ably supported by very talented backing dancers
including the uber-lithe Andrew Wragg and Antony Edwards, and the dynamic duo
of Jade Bailey and Sophie Taylor, the whole stage is filled with light, colour,
movement and fun – a perfect and heady recipe for the best possible start to
the festive season.
The Gala pride themselves on providing a wonderful family
panto and have rightfully built a reputation of being one of the very best in
the north – over 28,000 came to see last year’s and I wouldn’t be surprised if
that number is matched again this year. So, if laughter is the best medicine,
then go and get your fix and remain healthy all winter.
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