ROBINSON CRUSOE (Birmingham Hippodrome) Review December 2012

Britain's biggest pantomime sails into Birmingham and it truly is swashbuckling fun and hilarity... with the Conley slant on things, of course.

Right from the off it's clear that this is the pantomime of the 21st Century, combining panto traditions with the latest exciting technology. In flies a video screen and a message from the main man himself - Brian Conley has everyone in hysterics before the show has even properly begun.

A ship sails onto the stage and is magnificent in size and detail, Ian Westbrook's design for the whole production is breathtaking. The sets are lavish and are a far cry from the days of the painted backcloth. 

Joining Brian as the beautiful Polly is local girl Kathryn Rooney, re-uniting the duo that played Buttons and Cinderella in last year's Hippodrome pantomime, and there's more than the odd reference to that! They make a wonderful team and work well to keep the audience enthused and entertained. The close of act one, without wanting to spoil too much is a moment of pure joy that echoes Brian Conley's days at the London Palladium as Caractacus Potts.

Mrs Crusoe is perhaps one of the lesser known pantomime dames, but Andrew Ryan ensures that she is one of your favourite. His facial expressions in particular are most hilarious. Andrew knows how to work an audience and can rock a dress better than a lot of women ever could. Just like Nigel Ellacott in Wolverhampton this year Andrew is a master of the multi-layer strip routine. Wolverhampton and Birmingham are blessed with the best dames in the business this year. James Patterson pictured with Andrew above is a great addition as Polly's father, the Major General. Gavin Woods makes a boo-able baddie. 

Swooping in from the flys on her enchanted shell is the Enchantress of the Ocean Lesley Joseph (Calendar Girls). Lesley acts as a narrator and regularly casts magic spells to further the story. One of the shows highlights is her song 'It's Me' that features a chorus of merpeople. It's a large cast and made up of ten dancers the ensemble are an experienced group who really shine in Lesley's number, literally. The ensemble are Simon Campbell, Stephanie Elstob, Rachel Ensor, Jamie Ray Hartshorne, James Hughes-Ward, Jane McMurtrie, Sergio Milella, Elliot Nixon, Soeli Parry and Kimmi Richards.

Earl R Perkins is the hunky islander Friday who together with Kathryn is involved in a scene in which a tree does his hair... yes that's right - Conley is rather random. There are puppets aplenty, of course greeted with the famous catchphrase. 

Another scene of particular hilarity involves Brian Conley, an apple and Kathryn Rooney's face. There really is humour for everyone of all ages and of all humour types; slapstick, witty, dry, random, ridiculous... it's got it all. 

Wait... we're not done yet! Not only does the pantomime have all of that, but what pantomime is as entertaining without a troupe of Cossack dancers!? The Mazeppa Cossacks are a surprise and thrilling addition to the show and of course it wouldn't be fair to not let Brian in on the fun. 

Audience participation in this show is unlike any other. The audience are filmed onto a large screen, Helen from Row D got up and danced Gangnam Style on stage, and there were plenty of opportunities for the children to be a part, especially in a rendition of I Am The Music Man which provides Brian the opportunity for some very funny ad-lib with the children.

There really is nothing left out of this pantomime, it has every old tradition and every new invention. This has to be the largest scale pantomime production you will see this year. Completely unmissable. The Birmingham Hippodrome is the only theatre to host a professional production of Robinson Crusoe this year and so it surely is the place to be!

Call the box office on 0844 338 5000 or book tickets online here: http://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/WhatsOn_focus.asp?showId=1737

ALADDIN (Swindon Wyvern Theatre) Review December 2012

You may be forgiven for believing you're in Swindon but in fact you're taken far away to the Oriental town of Swinyon for this year's production of Aladdin. Fronted by TV funny-man Keith Chegwin this intimate theatre is filled with magic and a welcoming charm.

The star-crossed lovers are West End star of Hairspray and We Will Rock You Lauren Varnham as Princess Jasmine and Liam Ross-Mills as Aladdin. Having seen Lauren countless times in both of her recent West End appearances I knew she would be more than up to the job. She proves to be the perfect princess in appearance, character and her vocals are second to none. Equally as charming is Aladdin, Liam Ross-Mills makes a wonderful lead and his version of A Whole New World whilst floating around the stage on a magic carpet is one of the many highlights.

Keith Chegwin has bundles of energy and is excellent at enthusing the audience. He has great accuracy it seems as not only did he spray a water gun jet directly into my face, but threw my favourite Quality Street chocolate straight into my lap. It was the strawberry one...

David Ashley is the evil Abanazer and proved quite scary when he entered the auditorium next to a nursery school group. The musical theatre veteran showcased his skill honed during his time in Starlight Express and one scene involved him roller skating around the stage. A classic and perfected baddie! Nick Barclay is a pleasant contrast as the the bumbling Emperor.

Widow Twankey isn't the most glamorous of dames, she has a bra that was meant to hold three and  works in a laundry shop, bless her, but Ian Mowat particularly in the Born This Way routine proved that there is a diva within her who's outfits are some very colourful creations. 

The glitz and glamour comes in the shape of Suzie Chard who presents an Essex-girl Genie, who sparkles and shines her way through. Her charisma fills the stage and even during moments of uncertainty after an incident with a pyro she carried the scene through to the end smoothly. The cave scene is another show highlight that begins with a rendition of I Am What I Am with backing from the Laine Theatre Arts ensemble - Jabari Braham, Michael Lin, Thomas Russell, Seren Sandham-Davis and Zac Watts.

The musical arrangements by Ben Kennedy are a delight, there is a mix of chart and musical theatre. Direction and Choreography by Andrew Wright is to the highest standard as expected with recent work including Singing In The Rain (Palace Theatre) the UK tour of Wonderful Town and a revival of 42nd Street (Chicester Festive Theatre and the Curve, Leicester). Additional choreography for the show is provided by Aaron Renfree, also a Laine's graduate. Aaron's choreography is always fresh, exciting and current and it is great to see that in such tradition-bound pantomime theatre.

Aladdin runs at the Swindon Wyvern Theatre until Sunday 6th January 2013 and you can book tickets here: https://wyverntheatre.org.uk/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=35166970-7B07-47FF-9EE1-5CFF13B5C8E9 or by calling the box office on 01793 524 481. 

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Wolverhampton Grand Theatre) Review December 2012

After what seemed like a lifetime, Jack And The Beanstalk has finally arrived in Wolverhampton. Qdos Pantomimes brings the magic of Cloudland, Benidorm's Solana Resort, Coronation Street and Bilston Market together in the most random collection of hilarity and fun.

Our lovestruck couple are West End star - Any Dream Will Do's Ben James-Ellis and Sophie Brooke-Ford. Both are on top of their game and give strong and entertaining performances. Full of energy Ben is the perfect strapping lad to lead the audience on a journey up the beanstalk and into Cloudland. Sophie Brooke-Ford's "To Make You Feel My Love" wouldn't have been out of place on a West End stage.

Coronation Street's Ken Morley is King Crumble and is reunited with on-screen partner from the Street Sherrie Hewson. In Benidorm character as Lady Joyce Temple Savage she is the perfect baddy and receives boos aplenty whenever she's seen. The opportunity to mention Corrie's famous waterbed scene just couldn't be left out!

Sherrie Hewson's glittering costumes were most exquisite and it is clear that every expense has been plunged into the show. Also dressed in glitz and glamour was the spirit of the beans - Fairy Fortune, Niki Evans. Niki who rose to fame on X Factor has been touring recently as Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers and it is great to see her in a much more lighthearted role and with some upbeat songs to riff away - incredible vocals.

The babes were made up of children from the Classic Academy of Dance. The ensemble dancers are Frankie Armitage, Lucian Collier, Oliver Dale, Sian Harriman, Matthew Hartley, Angela Sheppard, Bryony Thompson and Robert Tregoning. The entire team execute perfection with the choreography and are exciting to watch. Alternately they bring Day-Zee the cow to life with a humorous hip-hop twist.

Nigel Ellacott is Jack's mother Dame Trot, and is clearly the experienced Dame. A lifetime in the business (s)he masters the quick change, the towering headdresses and those lame jokes that for some reason are always funny. Dame Trot's Bilston Market song to the tune of Copacabana brought the house down. 

Stealing the show however is a little green duck called Orville. Yes, Keith Harris, Orville and Cuddles from all those years ago prove that the old-time entertainment is indeed just as relevant and entertaining today. The children's favourite was clearly Orville who can sing other songs aside from "I Wish I Could Fly" surprisingly well. That isn't to say that Orville's famous song isn't included - it most definitely is and brought the house down, pleasing all but one particular monkey. Cuddles was far from impressed and an appearance in Act 2 ensured that the pantomime had something for all the family - definitely one for the parents! 

The set was far from normal and very impressive. There are lavish palaces, a quaint village and an entire house! Andrew Lynford's direction and Steven Harris' choreography come together well to keep the show flowing. The beanstalk and the giant are very impressive and it's nice to see both presented in a much more physical and creative way than the use of 3D - which seems to be the way a lot of pantomimes are moving towards. 

Packed with well-known song's of charts, stage and screen this is definitely a show you can sing along to. Wolverhampton never fails at Christmas to put on a fun family show and Jack And The Beanstalk is something that should definitely be part of your festive plans! If you haven't already done so, book those tickets now! Book online at http://grandtheatre.iristickets.co.uk/en/group/4758/jack-the-beanstalk-2012-13/

Visit the pantomime website at http://www.grandtheatrepanto.co.uk and once you've seen it make sure to 'leaf' a review here! http://grandtheatrepanto.co.uk/virtual-beanstalk-2 

You can also book for next year's pantomime SLEEPING BEAUTY starring Joe Pasquale here: http://grandtheatre.info/WhatsOn_focus.asp?ShowId=683&sC=page46

Production photos © Gavin Dickson Photography. 

PANTO DAY 2012: Jack And The Beanstalk (Wolverhampton Grand Theatre)

Today is Panto Day! Around the country hundreds of theatres have been keen on sharing the love for pantomime and in Wolverhampton we've had a very long but exciting day of tech rehearsals. I sat in on the afternoon session and kept a blog diary of events for the Grand Theatre's new backstage blog which you can read here: http://www.grandbackstageblog.co.uk

"It’s lunchtime at the Grand Theatre and things were unusually quiet when I entered the auditorium… but not for long! “Testing pyro!” shouted someone from the wings as a sparkly explosion erupted from the stage."

As part of the day's events, theatre's up and down the country have been posting pictures of their cast members holding the I LOVE PANTO signs! I spent a busy tea break running around to find willing volunteers to photograph - it wasn't too difficult, we're a stagey bunch of people.

Oliver Dale, Keith Harris and Lucian Collier

"The curtain rises on a town and we’re about to go from the top of the scene. Less than one minute in and we’ve stopped already – Nigel Ellacott’s entered from the wrong side of the stage, oh dear!"

The cast have a long day of tech rehearsals finishing at 10pm tonight, the crew will be staying until 2am to configure more of the lighting. They face the same again tomorrow, with a first dress run scheduled for tomorrow evening - it's a tough week! The show opens on Saturday and there are two performances each day!

Frankie Armitage, Bryony Thompson and Sophie Brooke-Ford

"The babes have joined the cast on stage and are ready for a musical number with Nigel but wait, where’s King Ken? He’s our very own Wolverhampton Wanderer! "

I've only spent five hours with the company today and it was clear within the first few minutes that they're a very talented and hardworking group of people. This afternoon was hilarious, and we only staggered through a few scenes! This year's pantomime promises to be very entertaining and I can't wait to see it properly at the press night on Tuesday. 

Robert Tregoning, Matthew Hartley, Oliver Dale, Sian Harriman, Lucian Collier

There are still tickets available for JACK AND THE BEANSTALK and I urge everyone to buy one. You can call the box office on 01902 42 92 12 or visit the website and book here: http://grandtheatre.info/WhatsOn_focus.asp?ShowId=604&sC=page10

Remember to read my full blog diary here: http://www.grandbackstageblog.co.uk