​It’s that time of year again (oh no it’s not, oh yes it is). Pantomime is popping up left, right and centre and this year Wolverhampton Grand have delivered an absolute spectacle. From dragons and fairies, to magic before your eyes, this is the sort of theatre that makes children want to come back again and again. Serving up more double entendres than you could shake a stick at, Sleeping Beauty had all the ingredients to make this a pantomime to remember.
 
From the outset the children were enchanted as Fairy Crystal (Debbie McGee) was suspended above the audiences heads. Acting as protagonist, McGee soon locks horns with the evil Carabosse, played with flair by Julie Paton.
 
The much-loved story unfolds before our eyes, packed with humour, magic and music for good measure. McGee makes for an endearing fairy (even when she did forget her lines) - but that made it all the more funnier. She was supported well by an array of characters, including Bethan-Wyn Davies as Princess Beauty and Oliver Ormson as Prince Harry, who sang a lovely duet of Rewrite the Stars from the iconic Greatest Showman soundtrack. They also managed to weave in A Million Dreams and you could here echoes of little voices singing along in the audience.
 
There were of course some particular stand out performances, namely Ian Adams as Queen Wilhelmina and Doreen Tipton as Nurse Doreen. They were hilariously brilliant in their respective roles, with a great nod to Baby Shark squeezed in for good measure. However, the stars of this pantomime were Richard Cadell (Muddles), Sooty and the delightful, unexpected appearance from Sweep. Cadell’s warmth on stage was palpable and he really got the audience going. And with Sooty and Sweep, it felt as if the adults in the audience regressed back to their childhood as they excitedly called out “Izzy wizzy let’s get busy”. Meanwhile, Sweep’s Luciano Pavarotti performance is perhaps one of the greatest things I’ve seen in Panto. Laugh out loud funny.
 
However, it was the spectacular magic and illusions in this particular pantomime that took my breath away. Audiences were left in awe as magic happened before our eyes and to hear the audible gasps from children goes to prove why pantomime is such a brilliant way of introducing youngsters to theatre.
 
Sleeping Beauty is packed full of sparkle and wonder. What better way to show children the magic of theatre? And what a Christmas treat for Wolverhampton!

It might not be the greatest story ever told, at least not at this time of year, but it’s surely one of them. The Wizard of Oz follows the yellow brick road into The Rep in this immensely entertaining re-imagined staging of the classic story.

The story of Oz has become such a staple of storytelling that it’s hard to believe the film is now nearly 80 years old. But as this production demonstrates – a great story never gets old.

Liam Steel’s production is described as a ‘bold but faithful re-imagining’ of the classic story in the programme and that it is. The production is visually stunning and the striking set and wonderful costumes suck you into Dorothy’s world from the outset.

Matt Nicholson’s choreography is superb throughout, with a particularly wonderful sequence involving ingenious puppet Munchkins and a brilliant number in Emerald City.

Chisara Agor makes an excellent Dorothy; capturing her innocence and ultimate love for home quite beautifully. Meanwhile Ed Wade is terrific as Scarecrow and Lorna Laidlow impresses as Professor Marvel/Oz.

The standout performance comes from Jos Vantyler who makes for a fantastically horrid Wicked Witch.

There are some terrific vocals on display of which Kelly Agbowu (Lion) and Shanay Holmes (Glinda) stand out. And a gifted ensemble supports the production throughout.

And of course it wouldn’t be The Wizard of Oz without a Toto – played by the adorable Teddy in this performance. He even managed a little look out to the audience as the curtains came across at the end – a true professional.

This is an all-round thoroughly entertaining festive treat.

The Wizard of Oz plays at The Rep until Sunday 13 January.
 

​'Tis  the season to be jolly..........

If you needed reminding that it is December, then all that was required to remedy this was a trip to The Dovehouse Theatre in Solihull to see Youth OnStage's Christmas production of Hansel and Gretel. Alan P Frayn's original pantomime brought the timeless children's fairy tale to life, and there was festive fun aplenty as all the characters within the tale were brought magnificently to the stage by this talented and energetic group, accompanied by some unusual and not quite so well known ones, as is to be expected in a pantomime!
 
The title characters were played beautifully by ten year old twins Conor and Caitlin Dodds. Their composure and assurance on stage was made all the more surprising by the fact that this was their first production with Youth Onstage. Out of a cast of very strong young people, there were some stand out performances, including Mark Cornaby as Wally, Alicia Flint as Witch Nightshade and Alex Currie as Peggy Pumpernickel.
 
With it being officially 'silly season', there was an abundance of audience participation and corny jokes, all of which added to the overall enjoyment of the production. There were some excellent song choices, including the iconic 'I'm A Lumberjack', 'Black Magic' and 'The Woodcutter Song'.
 
The entire cast worked brilliantly as a team and their enthusiasm and dynamism were as infectious as they were tangible, so much so that everyone left the auditorium still singing the final musical number 'Reach'! It was plain to see from the audience perspective how much these young folk enjoy performing together, and they maintained their energy levels and focus right until the very last note was sung and the very last bow was taken.
 
Credit must go to the entire production team of Deb Brook (Director), David Jones (Musical Director) and Amy Evan (Choreographer)  for the well drilled and animated acting, singing and dancing. The Dovehouse provides an excellent performing space and it was utilised well, with a colourful, eye catching set and some very cheery costumes.
 
If you are still feeling a bit 'bah humbug' about the festive season,  grab yourself a ticket and you'll soon be feeling completely in the mood for some Christmas cheer!
 
'Hansel and Gretel' runs at The Dovehouse Theatre until Saturday 8th December.
 
 

"...brilliantly written, perfectly cast and it ticks every possible Christmas family entertainment box you can dream up."

There are only three pantos based on true stories – Jack and the Beanstalk, Mother Goose and, of course, Dick Whittington. Okay, so I’m kidding about Stalk and Goose, but I understand that the traditional British Dick Whittington pantomime is actually based on real historical events of 1300s+ (quickly refers to ‘Fact or Fiction’ section of souvenir programme) and the extra bits like Tommy the Cat and the be-tailed baddy, King Rat have since been added to the story (phew). And the guys at Evolution Pantomimes, who already have a great reputation, have indeed pulled a great panto cracker this year, with their Lichfield Garrick production shining with splendifourousness, oozing with hilarity and seriously racing along the best of the Midlands track, on rocket fuel and in top gear. Yes, this year’s delivery is definitely one to rival the bigger theatres - brilliantly written, perfectly cast and it ticks every possible Christmas family entertainment box you can dream up. 

Katrina Bryan (Nina in CBeebies Nina and the Neurons) as a Scottish Fairy Bow Bells is a glittering tutu’d delight, whether she is flying across the stage or appearing in a puff of pyrotechnic sparkle, she is beautiful to witness, has an exceptional singing voice and maintains a mischievous charm that only a real fairy could surely harness. Sam Rabone plays a brilliant ‘blokey’ Dame in the form of Dolly the Cook, modelling an array of perfectly outrageous costumes including the most hysterical fat-suit I’ve ever seen, playing alongside comic Ben Thornton as Billy. Ben is a true legend, has an incredible onstage warmth and energy which he generously shares wholeheartedly with the audience. Their super-smart sketches are fast-paced, daring, messy and always very, very funny.  Principle Boy and Girl are played respectively by the dashing Ashley Emerson as Dick and very pretty Beccy Lane as Alice. Ashley occasionally reminded me of a young Hugh Grant – and if the proof of the voices is in the singing then these two nailed it to supremo standards. Loved it.  Nice character twist as the gorgeous Joanne Heywood is cast as panto-baddy Queen Rat, complete with a tail, a cracking pair of legs and, again, an excellent singing voice that will enchant. Alice’s dad, Alderman Fitzwarren, is played by Evolution regular Ieuan Rhys, who is clearly no stranger to the stage and plays the sensible and doting father with just the right amount of silliness. Lucy Parry plays Tommy the Cat, or on this occasion, Gertrude the Cat (long story) and gives a prize-winning, feline performance with unsurpassed energy which I know must have been enduring in that furry cat-suit. Supported by an excellent ensemble - Rebecca Thomas, Hannah Dettmer, Tom Strang and Nicolais Kerry, who also played the Sultan of Morocco – and three teams of fantastic youngsters, its a quality cast with a wardrobe from heaven, songs to get you moving in your seat and jokes that will make you laugh out loud and forget the outside world for a couple of hours.

Not giving out any more spoilers (except for the wonderful 3D scene) - just get yourself a ticket and allow these clever people to entertain you.

(Oh, btw, get hold of a programme, turn to Ben Thornton’s biog page and lift it to the light – he magically appears with glasses!)

Runs to 5 Jan. Oh yes it does!