Farewell JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Wolverhampton Grand Theatre) 2012 - 2013

Once upon a time, back in June 2012 Qdos Pantomimes launched Jack And The Beanstalk at the Novotel, Wolverhampton to be this year's 'Giant Pantomime Spectacular' at the Grand Theatre. There was a feast fit for a giant and beanstalks growing out of each table! Astoundingly at this point in the year and with only Sherrie Hewson, Keith Harris and Orville just announced, over 14,000 tickets had already been sold.

With the theatre's online social media presence as ever-growing as the Beanstalk, Facebook and Twitter hosted the announcement for another three panto stars in July. Niki Evans as Fairy Fortune, Ken Morley as King Crumble and pantomime legend Nigel Ellacott as Dame Trot. In September Nigel hosted a pantomime Race Night where pantomime horses raced around the track at the Wolverhampton Racecourse. As with the initial launch, a delicious three course meal followed! Earlier that day Nigel went to meet Tallulah the Tapir at Dudley Zoo, a friend who he has remained close to throughout the run of the show. Orville also visited the zoo with Keith to be one of the first to try out the new chair-lift. A firm favourite at the zoo, Orville was guest of honour to open their brand new offices earlier in January. 

With many of the stars announced there was rising anticipation on who would be cast as this year's hero Jack. In October it was announced that West End star Ben James-Ellis would be the heartthrob hero and we met up with him at the theatre for his press day. Straight from the stage in the touring production of Dreamboats and Petticoats Ben said that that he loves panto and couldn't wait to start. "It's so festive and you become part of a really close family." You can read my full interview with Ben here. 

Ken Morley got his press launch in November at Bantock House with the newly announced princess, Laine Theatre Arts graduate Sophie Brooke-Ford. There were jokes aplenty and a hilarious insight into Ken's Tipton origins!

The Grand Theatre also hosted Nigel Ellacott's Panto Roadshow teaching schools across the borough about the traditions of pantomime with Birmingham's pantomime dame Andrew Ryan. More about that can be read here. 

Turning on Wolverhampton's Christmas lights this year was leading-lady Sherrie Hewson. She was joined by the Mayoress of Wolverhampton and even Spongebob Squarepants. The event was a huge success and soon afterwards Sherrie went back to London to join the rest of the cast at the rehearsal studios. 

Completing the cast, the dancers were announced as Frankie Armitage, Lucian Collier, Oliver Dale, Sian Harriman, Matthew Hartley, Angela Sheppard, Bryony Thompson and Robert Tregoning.  The full rehearsal process can be read at Nigel Ellacott's Dame's Diary. 

The Wolverhampton Art Gallery made a giant beanstalk that was carried across town and into the theatre to be installed in the stalls foyer and wound around a post that stretched all the way up to the Grand Circle bar! The video of it's journey can be viewed here. 

For Panto Day (5th December) I joined the cast in their tech-rehearsal at the theatre. This was their first day of tech-ing the panto after two days of get-in. As to be expected we had costume malfunctions, missed song cues, entrances from the wrong side but that's what rehearsals are for! All was fine on the opening night and Press Night (11th December) was a huge success. 

Sherrie Hewson and Ken Morely visited the Express And Star newspaper offices and her video interview for the paper is filmed here. Christmas audiences were full of cheer and many of the cast travelled hundreds of miles after the show on Christmas Eve to spend Christmas day with their families. Their Christmas messages, including Orville's concern about what was being served up for dinner can be heard here. 

There were sign language interpreted performances by Sean Fitzsimmons on 9th, 10th and 12th January as well as audio described performances by Anne Hornsby. Always at the forefront of access for people of all abilities the Grand Theatre also held 'Touch Tours' and 'The Sound Of Panto' where deaf and visually impaired audiences got the chance to feel the vibrations made by the instruments, feel the fabrics of the costumes (as modelled by the dancers), meet Day-Zee the cow and get an insight into how the giant comes to life. More can be read here at the Grand Backstage Blog.

There were competitions for schools throughout the panto season including the chance for two budding artists work to be turned into a Jack And The Beanstalk mural on the wall of the theatre. Kyram Stone, aged 11 from Hill Avenue Primary School and Zoe Woods, also 11 from St Dominic's High School for Girls. The winning school for growing the tallest beanstalk were St Paul's First School with a giant 165cm and they won a visit to the pantomime.

Panto Fairy Niki Evans celebrated her 40th Birthday this year whilst our hero Ben turned 24. Dancer Angela Sheppard also enjoyed a Birthday in pantoland.

On the penultimate day of shows, Saturday 19th January, dancer Sian Harriman understudied the part of Fairy Fortune in the absence of Niki Evans.

Sian Harriman as Fairy Fortune

This year the pantomime has had it's very own website and reviews have been added to the virtual beanstalk in their hundreds! Now we've reached the top and the castle has opened it's drawbridge and a very special prize is at the top! Click here to find out now: http://grandtheatrepanto.co.uk

Dancer Angela Sheppard reflects on her time in Wolverhampton: "It's been pretty hard work! Our day starts at 1:10pm to prep for the show... warm-up, make-up, hair. The dressing room has been our second home with a fridge and a kettle and it's a great social meeting point between shows. The cast are great and very easy to get along with, we have particular banter with Ken!! We have a very playful cast who are always playing jokes. My favourite part of the show is the beanstalk growing - I think it looks very real! My favourite part of the whole run though has to be having a fire alarm evacuation during the second half of the show and seeing two Teletubbies, a dame, Medieval villagers and fairy outside in the street! It was very amusing. I will be sad to say goodbye to such a beautiful theatre and such friendly staff."

Angela Sheppard and the cast outside in the rain during the evacuation.

Dancer, Matthew Hartley: "Wolverhampton, it's been a pleasure!"

Dancer, Frankie Armitage: "Thank-you to everyone at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, I've had such an amazing experience working there, such lovely people and a fantastic theatre!"

Dancer, Sian Harriman: "I've had the most amazing time in Pantoland. I've met some amazing people and will miss you all!"

Princess Apricot, Sophie Brooke-Ford: "Had the best time at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. I'm going to miss being a princess and all the wonderful people I've got to work with every day!"

Jack, Ben James-Ellis: "Thank-you to the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and all the staff for making it a lovely home for the past 8 weeks! Such a friendly and warm place to work! Great to be part of such an amazing production! x"

Dame Trot, Nigel Ellacott: "Thank-you Grand Theatre and to all who look after you, it's been a fab season!"

Lady Temple-Savage, Sherrie Hewson: "Thank-you to the beautiful Wolverhampton Grand Theatre for a great panto season! Audiences were fantastic and everyone who works there are amazing, and what a wonderful cast too!"

So that's it! It's very sad to say goodbye to what has been without a doubt the most fun Wolverhampton has had at Christmas but we can look forward to Saturday 7th December 2013 where Joe Pasquale brings Sleeping Beauty to town! Tickets are already on sale and you can book here: http://www.grandtheatre.info/WhatsOn_focus.asp?ShowId=683&sC=page10

Photos courtesy of The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Nigel Ellacott, Express and Star, Scott Bird and Qdos. 

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. 

BLOOD BROTHERS (UK Tour) October 2012

Blood Brothers, the first ever show I saw in the West End returns to Birmingham again on a seemingly never-ending tour cycle. The current West End version of the show is due to close in just a few weeks time in November. Ending its run after 24 years at the Phoenix Theatre it begs the question of whether Blood Brothers has had it's day. The audience at the Birmingham Hippodrome last night received the show rather willingly and the home audience for Niki Evans in the role of Mrs Johnstone were a welcoming delight.

Niki Evans from the 2007 series of the X Factor only entered the competition after finding the application forms intended for her in her late father's belongings. Her heartfelt, emotional audition saw her through the early stages and flying into the live shows, finishing in the semi-final. It is exactly the type of pure emotion she expressed in song during her time on the X Factor that makes Niki the perfect casting for the iconic role of Mrs Johnstone - a role she first played in 2009 in the London production.

A mother of seven children at only 25, Mrs. Johnstone learns that she is expecting twins. Already unable to cope and through fear of having to foster away some of her children she finds herself pressured into giving away one of the twins to Mrs. Lyons (Tracy Spencer), a rich housewife unable to have children of her own. A superstitious prophecy is born that if ever the boys discover the truth that they shall both die. The two leading ladies are impressive and played the more dramatic moments with conviction which can be incredibly cheesy and cliché.

Blood Brothers has seen a fair share of famous faces during it's run, especially pop stars. The Nolan sisters are no strangers to the role of Mrs Johnstone and Spice Girl Mel C played a brief stint in London. Member of boy band Blue Anthony Costa has played Mickey in the past but for this tour, Marti Pellow the lead singer of Wet Wet Wet has joined the cast as the Narrator. I have always thought of the Narrator's part as unnecessary - a tough role to master. The Narrator awkwardly lurks around the stage, watching the action and interrupts scenes when they begin to get meaty. He acts almost as a conscience and is always there to warn. Marti Pellow is a stern and commanding narrator and evidently does his best. I'm not all together convinced however that his vocal style fits comfortably in the role.

Sean Jones and Jorden Bird are the ill-fated brothers, Mickey and Eddie. It always takes great skill for the actors to convincingly portray the brothers at various ages in their life. Both manage their characters expertly and are both humorous as youngsters. They capture the different ages with clarity and ensure echoes of their childhood mannerisms are reflected in their later performance as men. When we meet the boys for the first time they are dolls wrapped in blankets but at age seven we see them meet each other, make friends and discover they have the same birthday - the story follows them through to adulthood with a dramatic climax, seeing Mrs Lyons' prophecy come true. 

In all, this production of Blood Brothers is well worth the night out. It's funny, full of energy and then dramatically tense the story becomes more despairing. I'm not sure it is a tear-jerking as perhaps it once was but what it is, is full of heart.

The current tour plays at the Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 3rd November and you can book tickets here: http://birminghamhippodrome.com/whatson_focus.asp?showid=1736