Cinderella Panto @ Darlington Civic

Panto season again at the Civic means madcap fun, classic entertainment and the chance to watch one of the funniest men on the stage.  This year’s offering of Cinderella dishes up the treats like a festive selection box – you know what to expect, you know you like ‘em all and too much might just leave you feeling a little queasy (from laughing so much)

The script for panto Cinders is pretty stable fayre; the story, the jokes and the finale are all time honored and rarely does a production dare to stray.  How they can introduce some uniqueness and originality is through the star casting, the musical numbers, the use of current tech and usually with some good old fashioned slapstick – to this end Darlington’s’ festive fun stands strong on its own.

Playing the title role is the beautiful Ashleigh Butler, a young lady who deserves top billing on her own but who is always shadowed by her furry friend Pudsey.  Make no bones about it, Ashleigh can sing, dance and act as good as any other Cinders but it is the little canine companion who draws the ‘aws’ every time he appears and never seemed fazed by the noise, the laughter and the occasional faux pas from the two legged cast members.

Playing opposite Ashleigh is Matt Edwards as Buttons – her love-struck bff who is so desperately in love with her that he will even help Prince Charming find her despite knowing that when he does they will surely marry.  How to sum up Matt Edwards ?  The best accolade I can give is that if they ever wanted to remake the fabulous and famous Norman Wisdom movies then Matt is without a doubt the best person to play the perpetual underdog; his timing is impeccable, his style and mannerisms uncannily like Sir Norman and his ability to disarm any situation and return it to its funniest core is worthy of a show all of his own.  He is adept at party magic, can throw his voice and has the athletic poise to deliver plenty of pratfalls (even when he doesn’t mean to).  His scene in the forest where he attempts to intervene between Prince Charming and Cinders is delivered with the same impact, tearful laughter and gasping for breath worthy of the best silent movie comics, whilst his leading of a total slapstick rendition of “12 days of Christmas” should be shown on TV every day in December as a remedy for pre-Christmas stress. 

The usual panto stalwarts and objects of derision, the ugly step sisters, are played by regional favorites Danny Potts and Phil Corbitt whose personalities are only beaten for size by their dresses and hairdos.  Danny & Phil have built a great repartee and are obviously very comfortable with their return to the Civic; indeed some of the jokes weren’t so much close to the knuckle as being right down to the bone but it certainly gave the adults a little extra to giggle at.

This year’s standout moment is the rather ingenious and unique way in which Cinders makes her way to the ball; I won’t spoil the surprise suffice it to say that those with an appreciation of Greek mythology will find it mesmerising.

The only disappointment of the evening was the introduction of Dooby Duck and gang as a mid-show interlude.  Sadly, the prospect of a load of animal based marionettes playing to a rather convoluted soundtrack of stereotypical pop music completely killed any momentum which the preceding merriment had built and left the majority of the younger audience sat in baffled silence while the adults started to fidget nervously, daring themselves to maybe check their phones for a quick football update or a status refresh on Facebook.   This show wasn’t that good when it was new (in the 60’s/70’s) but today, in the age of hi-tech 3d graphics, shadow imaging and computer generated projections it just can’t connect to the audience.  Happily tho, it is soon back to the bright lights and zany laughter as we rush headlong towards the grand finale and the chance to marvel at the choreography and wonderful dancing of the Joanne Banks Dancers.

So, as always, if you want a fabulous evening packed with laughter that is guaranteed to start your run to Christmas in the best way possible then get yourself to the Civic, plonk yourself down, strap up your ribs tight and enjoy Matt, Ashleigh, Danny, Phil and of course, Pudsey.  You’ll love it, oh yes you will.

The Chuckes of Oz Panto @ Darlington Civic

The Chuckle Brothers have done it again - Oh yes they have !

To nick a phrase from the Fast Show, "Aren't pantos Brilliant ?!" - forget the usual etiquette of theatre going and just let loose, laugh, sing and leave feeling the world isn't too bad a place, the weather isn't that cold and windy and The Chuckle Brothers are rightfully hailed as the best madcap panto double act since Blair and Brown.

This years Civic panto is a retelling of the Wizard of Oz and what is immediately noticeable is that whilst the plot stays true to the original, we're certainly not in Kansas anymore.  The sets are amazing; bright, colourful, quirky and full of detail.  The costumes are fabulous.; Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow all look larger than life, Dorothy and Glinda resplendent in their respective dresses and The Wicked Witch of the West menacingly.... well, green !  A special mention to the backing dancers who must go through many frantic costume changes to keep up with the pace of the scenes.

The cast, of course, is headlined by Barry & Paul.  The boys' brand of humour is instantly recognisable; on the surface they are zany, daft, silly but this belies expert comedic timing and hours of rehearsal.  Masters of their craft they most certainly are, but they still manage to have fun whilst doing it and this rubs off on the rest of the gang too.  Lauren Varnham is Dorothy and is as true to the Judy Garland incarnation as I've seen; wide eyed innocence, boundless energy and just a little bit of sass to keep the boys in check.  Phil Corbitt (Lion), Adam C Booth (Scarecrow) and Danny Potts (Tin Man) are a great trifecta of quest seeking heroes - again, they stay very true to the original movie and because of this there is an instant comfort in knowing what they are about.

The two witches, Beth Stobbart as Glinda the Good and Emma Francis as the Wicked one from the West, are perfectly cast - they offer a wonderful, poles apart, view.  Emma has all the menace and evil one would expect from a green faced, dog knapping, monkey leading, recently sibling bereft broom stick season ticket holder - she prowls the stage with purpose and gives you the shivers when she looks directly at you.  Beth, on the other hand, is purity and innocence personified; a beauty in both looks and voice (although I did detect a little twinkle of mischief in her eyes during the "If I were not in Panto" routine).  Should Wicked ever be released for local production I would be first in the queue to champion Emma & Beth as the leads.

A special mention must go to the orchestra - never has so much music been made by so few for so many, Joe Morley as MD, along with Dave Storer and Sophie Hastings defy physics to create a soundscape as big and rich as a 20 piece pit.

For many years, Panto struggled to compete with the other demands for out attention - video games, blockbuster movies, multi-channel tv.  The format was in danger of becoming tired, a pastiche of what it once was and only good to serve as a nostalgic look back - not any more - the special effects, including the best 3D experience outside of Disney, all make for a totally immersive evening which knocks spots off a trip to the multiplex.

I can't think of a better way to start the festive season - I took both my teenage daughters and I think they were quite shocked to see their dad gasping for breath from laughing so much.  (Plus, Jess seemed to have quite a shine for Barry, especially when he disrobed).  So, if you've not got your tickets yet, what are you waiting for - after a year of austerity, spending cuts and pay freezes go and fill your feel good bank balance - it'll last you right through till next year.

Aladdin @ Darlington Civic

A 5 star night of songs, sketches and all out silliness

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 laughter 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 Darlington Civic is yet again a riotous mix of song & dance which will have everyone in tears of laughter (tho not always for the same reason).  Starring Barry & Paul Elliott, better known as the Chuckle Brothers, they bring their hilarious and very clever blend of daftness to the stage with some quite brilliant visual routines - for some, the Chuckles are marmite, you either love 'em or you hate 'em but I defy anyone not to marvel at their timeless comedy - their opening song set the pace for a rollercoaster of audience fun while their homage to Wilson, Keppel and Betty (Google them, you'll know who I mean) had me literally gasping for breath.  Masters at their trade, they should be rightfully mentioned in the same sentence as the very best of panto headliners, just remember to strap your ribs tightly, otherwise they are likely to burst.

Of course, Aladdin is not simply a Chuckle Brothers vehicle and the casting manager has assembled a superb group who clearly relish the freedom and relaxed nature panto allows.  Philip Meeks, as everyone's favourite Aunty, widow Twanky, must rival the record for the most costume changes in one night and brings a touch of modern pop culture with some very fetching Miley-esque twerking which left many on the floor in tears of laughter.  A genius of comedic timing and with a Geordie accent that immediately puts everyone in mind of 'someone' they know, the dictionary definition for pantomime dame should just have a picture of Mr Meeks.  Phil Corbitt, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Harold Meeker from Rentaghost, plays Abanazar, the baddy we all love to boo, with plenty of menace and just a touch of camp cruelty.  Entering to a flash, bang and puff of smoke, he grabs the attention immediately and never lets it go.  If there is one small criticism it's that perhaps more could be made of Danny Potts as the Emperor; Danny is no small guy and is obviously very fit (I mean physically although there were quite a few around me who meant more in an eye-candy kinda way) and his role could be much more than as a foil to Jasmine & the Widow.

The starring role of Aladdin is played admirably by Gary Amers, with plenty of energy and a decent voice, although at times he looked a little star struck by the calibre of those around him,  unsurprising as many of his scenes were played opposite Darlington's own supernova- Beth Stobbart.  Beth, of Darlington Operatic Society fame, is well known to regular patrons of the Civic and once again her qualities stand out, this time as the magnetically beautiful Princess Jasmine.  Melting guys' hearts with her smile and knowing little winks and wowing all with her wonderful voice, Beth adds local pride to the festive smorgasbord of emotions being served up and in the process must surely be adding to her huge number of fans.

Panto is a very English form of theatre - many of my foreign friends just don't know how to approach one and consequently they struggle to accept the 'anarchy' that ensues, but that's what this tradition is all about - forget the quintessential British reservedness and grant yourself one evening of self indulgent silliness - if laughter is the best medicine then Darlington Civic audiences will be the healthiest in all the land.