Cinderella at Darlington Hippodrome

One of the most eagerly awaited shows of the year opened at Darlington Hippodrome, the annual pantomime, and once again the families of Darlington are in for a treat.  Cinderella by Crossroads Pantomime Productions (who also have Snow White on at the Theatre Royal Newcastle) brings all the expected glitz, glamour and family fun – the perfect ingredients for an enjoyable few hours and a lovely way to begin the season's festivities.

Cinderella (Tanisha Butterfield making her debut) is desperate to escape her oppressive step family and dreams of meeting Mr Right, Prince Charming (Jacob Leeson) who in turn feels that his title is the only thing would-be brides are attracted by.  Swapping places with his valet, Dandini ( Spin) he befriends Cinders without her realising he is royalty and thus the scene is set for the most famous premise in all of storyland “Cinders, you shall go to the ball”.

Star billing as the fairy godmother goes to Faye Tozer, super pop star with Steps and as a solo artist. Not only can Faye sing (which we all know) but she’s a great actor too, very relaxed and natural and clearly enjoying the role.  Her Steps medley to close the show had everyone on their feet and not surprisingly most still know the dance routines.   Playing opposite Faye as Buttons is Patrick Monahan – brilliantly funny although at times his natural wit is somewhat curtailed by the safe writing – there’s no too much double entendres for the adults but plenty of child focussed toilet humour.

Sadly, missing from this story is an evil entity – there is no wicked step mother to whom the audience can direct their boos and hisses.  The ugly sisters (Peter Peverley and Phil Corbitt) try and bring some Geordie styled badness but traditionally they were always meant to be selfish and spiteful, not nasty and wicked.

Being honest, in the region there are funnier pantos (Danny Adams,  Clive Webb and Mick Potts in Snow White, Theatre Royal Newcastle), there is more originality (Nutcracker Re-Miced at Durham Gala)  and there is the best villain in the land (Neil Armstrong in Robin Hood, Durham Gala) so whilst in comparison this is somewhat underwhelming, what this Cinderella gives you is a wonderfully safe, family friendly show to which you can confidently take young children who will enjoy a traditional production.

Snow White at Darlington Hippodrome

Great songs, wonderful sets and a flying wicked queen – the only thing green about this show will be the envy of people who don’t go and see it.

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.  That tradition is constantly reinforced by the production company Qdos who bring glitz, glamour, sparkles and no shortage of special effects back to Darlington.

This years offering at the newly reopened Hippodrome is the first major production to grace the refurbished theatre and give the seats, sound system and stage hands a really good workout.  With Snow White the chosen story, the traditional formula for panto is very well observed; plenty of goading the younger audience into shouts & screams, the singling out of a few teachers to make the next school dinner a constant source of amusement and of course, a liberal smattering of double entendres to ensure the adults can laugh along, tho not always at the reasons the kids believe.

On a stage of many stars Zoe Birkett (born like yours truly in Consett) dominates every scene she’s in – its been a long time since we had to knowingly share ‘our’ Zoe with the rest of the UK but each time she comes home she brings such energy, fun and enthusiasm that it’s like recharging the pride batteries.  

For this performance as the Wicked Queen she has

the opportunity to give us a full appreciation of all her talents, ending the 1^st act with her rendition of Queen of the Night which sounded and felt like Tina Turner in the Who musical Tommy (bit of an odd reference, but anyone who has watched the Ken Russell rock opera will surely appreciate the similarities) - when Zoe ‘brings it’ she brings it all, leaving you wondering how can someone soo good be soo deliciously bad ?

Continuing the time honoured traditions, the comedy double act of Eric Potts (a madcap dame to rival Christopher Biggins as Mrs Norah Crumble with an extensive range in baking ) and Liam Mellor (the daft as a brush Muddles) guarantee bucketfulls of slapstick comedy, laugh out loud routines and just plain old ‘forget your inhibitions’ silliness.  Bizarrely, they even occasionally manage to out-funny stand-up superstar Patrick Monahan, the not so evil queens henchman (tho if you want to get an extra session of Patrick then check out Bishop Auckland Town Hall comedy night on Fri 22^nd).  The funniest (and yet possibly scariest for the 3 guys) scene must be the discussion around how best to prepare the game bird for the royal dinner – I won’t spoil anything here, but the script writers certainly knew how to ensure the cast didn’t dare have a nip of something before a show.

The starring role of Prince Lee is played admirably by Lee Ryan, with plenty of energy and a great voice, he quickly identified with the dabbing youngsters in the audience (and a few of their mums too).  Full of very cleverly written songs (especially the ‘Darlo’ opening number ) and plenty of in jokes about the town and our neighbours, this had a very local feel which, with along with Zoe et al, ensured that whilst the deco might be new and the layout slightly different, the New Hippodrome still feels like home.

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 Hippodrome audiences will be the healthiest in all the land.

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.

Aladdin Panto @ Durham Gala

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.

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.

Sleeping Beauty Panto @ Darlington Civic

Is it really legal to have this much fun ?

Pantos are all about fun, good ol' fashioned, silly and daft fun, and this one is one of the very best I've seen, ever.  The production is top notch with a fab choice of music, great dance routines, wonderful costumes and a superb fantasy set.  The cast clearly enjoy what they are doing and revel in the freedom that Panto gives them - so what if they get a fit of the giggles, we were all in howls of laughter anyway and even more so when it's obvious that they are enjoying it just as much. 

The knowing winks to the adult members of the audience let us know that we're all here for the fun and that's what makes it so engaging, so inclusive.  The kids, of course, love the staple fayre of "He's behind you", "Oh yes you are" and booing the villain, while us 'grown ups' are given double entendres,  music hall jokes and, for the dads, plenty of the gorgeous Ms Lusardi playing a deliciously evil fairy that prompts a flashbacks to my early teenage years.  (Don't worry girls, I have it on good authority that Will Tudor as Prince William is great eye candy for you). Added into this maelstrom of merriment is Philip Hitchcock as King Stephan - a very, very accomplished magician who wow'ed us all with some stunning illusions.

Zoe Birkett as the titular Princess lives up perfectly to her character's name, Philip Meeks as Nurse Dolly is outrageously camp and butch at the same time while Sam Kane as Oddjob, and Andy Jones as Muddles provide the madcap double act which at times made it hard to keep breathing through all the laughter.

Leave your inhibitions at the door, tightly wrap up your ribs so they don't burst and make sure you've been to the toilet before the show begins, you don't want any involuntary accidents happening (especially during the "12 days of Christmas")

There's no better way to start your Christmas season and if everything else is as fun & happy as this show then we're all in for the best Christmas ever.

Sleeping Beauty is on at Darlington Civic until Sun 20th Jan with most days having 2 shows - tickets from the box office.

Finally - a big thank you to the staff at Darlington Civic - this wonderful theatre is a crowning jewel in the North East arts & culture landscape and it is down to the staff who create such a unique theatre-going experience that it is loved and treasured.

Sleeping Beauty Panto @ Durham Gala

They say that fortune favours the brave, well, after watching this festive feast, Fortune,  Steve Fortune that is, favoured us all. 

The story of Sleeping Beauty is well known as one of the more traditional panto favourites - plenty of scope for beautiful princesses, wicked wizards, helpful fairies and of course a panto dame.  In an age where kids' imaginations are grabbed by Harry Potter, Transformers and a whole host of TV wizardry, I feared that the annual stage-set story telling would fall between the CGI cracks but my fears were completely misplaced.  What the production team at Durham Gala have done is to bring the story and it's portrayal right up to date. The set designs are vibrant and deep, the choreography is very 'street' and the cast are very much in tune with their audience.   I won't spoil the very special effects save to say they drew gasps from the audience,young and old, but this is very much a panto for the modern day audience.

Of course, panto wouldn't be panto without the usual audience participation - "Oh yes it would" - and the Gala at Durham is possibly the best venue in the north east for bringing audience and performers together. The proximity of the seats to the stage, the fact that the orchestra is sat up high to the side and the perfect sight lines mean every person was close enough to see, hear and on many occasions feel the action (they could even mark the first 8 rows as a designated 'splash zone').  The cast, in particular Dame Miriam and Silly Billy use this perfectly, and keep the feeling of inclusion and participation going right to the end.

Talking of Dame Miriam, Steve Fortune is simply fantastic - he knows how to deliver not just double entendres but triple and quadruple ones - the kids love his wacky outfits, the mum's envy his 'womanly' strength and the men just marvel at how he manages to dance in 'those' heels. Played with much more burlesque than camp, Steve and his/her son Silly Billy (played to big kid perfection by Paul Hartley) are the perfect counterfoil to the evil wickedness of Wizard Scorchard (Neil Armstrong) and his minions.

Pantos are all about family fun and this show delivers it in buckets, literally buckets.  If you haven't got your tickets yet, get them now and treat yourself to a fab night out - you know you want to......Oh yes you do !!

Wizard of Oz, Easter Panto @ Darlington Civic

Who says Pantomime is just a Christmas thing ?  The tried and tested formula of songs, jokes, slapstick humour and well known stories is so often mothballed from Jan to Nov because tradition dictates that Pantomimes are not for all year, they're just for December, and that's a crying shame.

There must be a belief that kids (and adults for that matter) wouldn't enjoy the same type of show at other times of the year ?  But "Oh yes we do", and "Oh yes we did last night" -speaking to the Civic's Theatre Manager he confirmed that the 4 shows will have drawn in over 3500 people in just 2 days.

The Wizard of Oz was given an adrenaline shot a few years ago by the BBC and Andrew Lloyd Webber but forget the "sticking strictly to the film" production, this version was pure, laugh out loud until you almost wet yourself fun.

Staged by Enchanted Entertainment, The Wizard of Oz nicks all the best bits from the original and then squeezes in more jokes, more songs and more kitsch than thought possible.  There are CBBC favourites for the kids to recognise with Tracey Beaker and Sarah Jane and, in Bobby Davro the adults have enough 'nudge nudge, wink wink' to ensure they are laughing just as loud.

Dani Harmer, best known as Tracey Beaker plays Dorothy perfectly.  She gives a great Kansas accent, carries the same naivety as Garland's Dot but still has the street smarts and today references to keep the kids engaged.  It's wonderful that at her tender age she is almost a veteran of stage & screen, is one of the biggest stars in BBC Childrens TV history and known globally, but she can still be reduced to fits of giggles by fart jokes, spluttering sidekicks and Bobby Davro's impromptu double entendres.

Both my girls have grownup with CBeebies and then CBBC so I am well aware of the characters and stars. I haven't been allowed to forget them either as being married to a childminder these two TV channels seem to still be favourite so it was quite bizarre to see Sarah Jane Honeywell live on stage - Sarah has been an unintentionally large part of my peripheral TV viewing over the past 10 years -I say unintentional, but I, like most dads, would never have watched Higgledy House just for Justin! .  She plays Glinda, the good fairy, more like a souped up Tweenie than the regal, grandiose fairy of the film and it's brilliant - the kids loved the cheeky naughtiness, the funky dancing and of course, wearing Heelies on stage - I heard loads on the way out asking their respective parents to dig out their Heelies so they can go be a good fairy.

Bobby Davro proves that there is no substitution for getting up on stage, telling some jokes and having a blooming great time; As the Scarecrow his one liners were so quick that there was a slight time delay as the audience got the previous one, only to then have to catch up again on the next 3 that he had fired, machine-gun like.  Of course, Bobby made his initial break as an impressionist and we are treated to a smorgaas bord of his finest, including a Harry Hill which had many of us believing it WAS Mr Hill who had snuck in as a mystery guest star.  Mr Davro is obviously the most experienced and some would argue therefore headline star but he is so genuine that there is never a moment of "look at me" or "I'm the star" - a true entertainer. 

The whole show is a fun packed afternoon/evening which makes you feel that you have been allowed into the casts' own end of season production - it's so loose and fluid that you can't help just laughing along with the stars on stage as they seem to have as much fun as you do.

It's a little known fact, but Bobby Davro's father was a world record holder and Olympian in both the mile and 1500m - well, in Bobby we have the current Olympic champion in making people laugh - jokes, slapstick, fantastic impressions and cheeky devilment and it's my belief that the UK should be reminded of this more often.

The Wizard of Oz by Enchanted Entertainment is on at Darlington Civic today (Friday 13th) but if you're thinking of going, please phone the box office first as tickets are pretty scarce.  The show is then off to Carlisle for the 14th & 15th April.

UPDATE:  Just had my hand slapped by the Tin Man (which I assure you hurts A LOT) for forgetting the most evilest, wickedest, nastiest witch in the whole of Oz - Kate Richards who at times was so wicked the audience were dumb struck and needed prompting to boo - or maybe they just knew what a darling Kate is really and couldn't bring themselves to hiss at her - either way she was the epitome of a Panto villain, - "Oh yes she was"- and a great singer too.  

Cinderella Panto @ Darlington Civic with Jimmy Cricket

It's panto time and as befits the age old tradition, Darlington Civic have once again produced a classic, fun-packed evening for the whole family.  This years festive frolic is Cinderella, and whilst the story stays true to the tried & trusted tale, the writing, the jokes and in particular the music really brings things up to date.

I'm sure I don't need to tell you the plot, nor do I need explain the premise of a panto; all the favourites are present - the Ugly Sisters to boo at, Buttons and his unrequited love for Cinders, a Fairy Godmother to make sure the night goes well and of course The Prince & Cinderella for a happy ever after.  This production however also makes sure that there is a little extra for everyone - Jimmy Cricket does what he does best, his little solo interludes keep the audience (and in particular the kids) on a high as the stage and costumes change, The Prince & Dandini share a few subtle under jokes which only the adults in the audience will get and, for the Dads & Grandads, there is almost a burlesque appeal to the adult dancers with saucy maids and risque villagers.

The show starts quite slow with each main character having a brief intial cameo to introduce themselves before the story really starts.  Jimmy Cricket and Dawson Chance are both needed to keep the kids focussed and then we are treated to a couple of songs (blending modern pop classics with some Disney faves) before heading into the main plot. 

Stage Left - Emmerdale's Deena Payne as the Fairy Godmother revels in the role as guardian, guide and mischief maker (while occasionally giving us a glimpse of a 'great pair of pins') while giving the FGM a certain class & style.  She leads off on two of the shows great songs (fans of Glee will be in heaven) and whilst she's no X-Factor finalist, she more than holds her own.

Stage Right - Adam C Booth as Buttons and really the chief cheerleader - all the standard panto refrains come from Buttons and Adam plays to the kids perfectly.  His besotted dotage on Cinders does occasionally border on the slightly creepy (he's her life long friend but I still believe he wouldn't think twice about sneaking a peek !) but as always Buttons comes through as the dependable buddy.  Adam is a seasoned Panto actor and it shows, his timing is perfect - he knows just how to allow the audience to react and then get settled before going on with the tale.

Centre stage - Prince Charming (Ray Quinn from Brookside and X Factor finalist) proves that he's got the lot - he can dance, he can certainly sing and he can act, though a cheeky rascal scouse Prince Charming was a first for me.  In fact I'd go so far as to say that Ray is perfect for Panto, talent in abundance and the boyish good looks that will keep young fans enthralled and their older sisters in raptures.  Emma Stephens as Cinderella is stunning; she is beautiful, a very talented dancer and again another great singer.  Her Cinders has the right blend of innocence coupled with genuine beauty which is quintessential to the role.  Emma's biopic in the programme suggests that to date her career has been solely on the stage, hopefully she will tour again next year as I believe this young star has a very promising career.

Lurking in the wings - The Ugly Sisters - the favourite bad (taste) guys/girls.  Brian Godfrey and Darren Southworth play these two almost too well - they both look mighty fine in frocks and seem very comfortable in the huge range of outlandish costumes, wigs and accompaniments that make them look like Lady Gaga's rejected stage ideas.  Brian sounds like Grandad from Only Fools & Horses, which, for true authenticity, is probably the best voice for an ugly sister - unlike other panto 'Dames' (Jack's Mum or Widow Twankee) these two are never meant to be anything other than guys in bad drag and they work so well together. 

The script is tight but the cast are comfortable enough to react to the audience - in fact when Ray Quinn realised that most of us were taking the mick out of his Scouse accent he played to it and encouraged even more ribbing.  It really looks like the whole production team are having fun and why wouldn't they - they've got a great show, a great run (I'm sure it will prove to be one of Darlington's best supported pantos despite the current economic climate) and the wonderful staff of Darlington Civic to look after them.

Christmas is only round the corner but take a tip from me; have a treat early, take your family and go and get lost in the Britishness of panto, Carry-On jokes, saucy dancers and a beautiful Cinderella - you deserve it !