Snow White and the 7 Dwarves

 

The BEST advert for live theatre, pantomime and the North East

The annual tradition of Pantomime was sadly missing last year so we've been 2 years without our fix, but if  it's possible to turn the dial up to 12 on madcap humour, double the feel good factor and raise to the power 2 the fun and enjoyment then the Theatre Royal have managed it with aplomb.  

This year's offering, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves from Crossroads Pantomimes and written, produced and directed by Michael Harrison should go down in history as possibly one of the greatest pantomimes of all times - packed to the gills with laughs (on all levels) stunning costumes, amazing singing and oodles of chaos, everyone was left in tears of joy, be they 4 or 84.

The stalwart characters of Snow White (Kirsty Ingram), Prince William (Wayne Smith), evil Queen Dragonella (Chris Hayward) and dame Nelly Nightnurse (Steve Arnott) are the perfect foundation upon which to build the panto - they are the dreamers of dreams and the tellers of tales and it is through them, ably assisted by the Magnificent Seven (Josh Bennet, Simeon Dyer, Scott English, Jamie John, Blake Isle, Andrew Martin and Fergus Rattigan) that the good versus evil fairy tale is delivered.

Adding in an extra depth is the Man in the Mirror (Joe McElderry) and the Spirit of Pantomime (Carole Stennett).  Carole lifts the usual 'Fairy Godmother' type role embracing the whole of Panto Land and serving some timely comfort that what we have missed over the past 18 months is now back again.  I will admit, this is my first time seeing Joe live and I was blown away by his amazing voice and stage presence - so at ease within the role, very happy to be the target of some jokes and able to go toe to toe with the evil Queen.  

Of course, anyone who has been to a Theatre Royal panto over the past 16 years will know that the USP - the Unique Silliness Parts come from Danny Adams (Danny the Court Jester) and Clive Webb (Oddjob) - these 2 are panto perfection pas compare, undoubtedly the best in the country for madcap anarchy and rib-aching routines.  Clive, an accomplished magician, writer and the brains behind the duo is the straight guy to Danny's Tasmanian Devil.  

Danny, a cross between Lee Evans and Norman Wisdom, gets better every year which is saying something because he was brilliant when I 1st saw him 11 years ago - his timing, physical comedy, non-stop goofing and hilarious voices suggest an out of control performer but this couldn't be any farther from the truth - the dedication and devotion to his craft make him unparalleled in modern day comedy theatre.  Whilst he shoots out jokes and quips in a seemingly random fashion he knows exactly where he wants them to land - daft and silly are pitched straight to the kids, risque and very near the knuckle go over their heads and smack into the adults, leaving many in tears of laughter while nervously glancing at their young guests and hoping they aren't asked to explain why it is so funny.

The 3rd wheel to the zany gang is Mick Potts, cruelly playing The Idiot - Mick is as much a part of the madness and ensures that both Danny & Clive have an extra stooge off which to bounce.

Packed with pyrotechnics, amazing lighting and some truly brilliant flying sequences (for which I will offer no spoilers) the whole production is a triumph and one everyone should feel mighty proud of.

If you can only choose one pantomime this season then I suggest, nay insist, this should be it - oh yes I do !

Beauty and the Beast at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Beauty and the Beast at Theatre Royal, Newcastle

Ask anyone what they think of as the signal that Christmas is coming and they might say Christmas adverts, songs on the radio, planning a big meal, buying gifts, the Coca Cola wagon but for me the real sign is when the Theatre Royal start their Pantomime.  Rightly heralded as one of the very best in the country, this year’s offering of QDOS’s Beauty and the Beast has taken the very best elements of the traditional seasonal fun and blown it into a new level altogether.  This is not just panto excellence, this is theatre excellence.

While some pantos have resorted to using gimics to try and set themselves apart – 3D visions, cameos by pop stars and reality tv, bizarre twists in the story,  all of them, bar none, pale into insignificance when compared to Newcastle’s finest.  Written, produced and directed by a team who all hail from or are based in the North East, this show is perfection beyond compare and instantly taps into our rich culture, heritage and love of laughing.

The story retains everything about the original and why wouldn’t it – it’s a wonderful story tailor made for panto.  The sets are exquisite, rich, deep and packed with detail.  Choreography, both in costume design and routines are like a mix of the most elegant Viennese ball and the best bits of Strictly.

Of course, what makes a Panto really shine is the cast and once again, Newcastle have the best in the country, if not the whole of Panto world.

 

Danny Adams, Clive Webb and Michael Potts provide so much fun they should carry a health warning, Chris Hayward as Mrs Rita Potty is the Geordie mother we all wish we had and the beautiful Laura Evans as Belle ensures we have some delightful feminine charms to counter the madness.  Nicola Meehan sets the scene for the whole evening with a breathtaking transformation from old hag to stunning enchantress whilst Chris Cowley as both the prince and the beast is totally believable as bad guy made good.  Even Wayne Smith as Belle’s desperate love wannabee elicits some sympathy, possibly in part because he is a wonderful mix of Lazy Town’s Robbie Rotten and Elvis Presley.

Having watched lots of pantos all round the country I do believe that Newcastle is blessed with something others can only wish for – Danny Adams in his finest.  Danny is worth coming to see on his own, he is a magician in his art and had this 50yr old rolling in the isles along with the 5 and 6 years olds (though often for very different reasons).  A master of slapstick, ably abetted by panto stalwarts  Webb and Potts, at times I found myself begging for him to stop just so I could grab a desperate breath or two.  He is a magical blend of Lee Evens, Norman Wisdom, Max Wall (yes I’m that old), Freddie Starr and Tommy Cooper with a penchant for tongue twisters and singing that would paralyse most people’s vocal chords.  One song in particular, where he names all the people and places in the North East should be used as by the tourist board as an advert.

What is most noticeable about this panto is that despite there being an obvious billing hierarchy, and a group who are into their 15^th year at the Theatre Royal, everyone, and I mean everyone, has equal input into making it the best Christmas show in the country.

My advice, if you love to laugh, if you love to see others laugh (including the cast) and if you love yourself, then get tickets for this – you’ll be on a high for days after.

A 5 start show with an extra star for Danny Camp, this return to traditional panto is packed with laughs, stunts, knife throwing, mess, gloop, brilliant songs and bags and bags of fun.  

On until Saturday 19^th January 2020