REVIEWS

Newbury - ROBIN HOOD

Newport - CINDERELLA

Truro - ROBINSOE CRUSOE & the CORNISH PIRATES

Barnstaple - SNOW WHITE

PRODUCTION PICTURES

Newbury - ROBIN HOOD

Newport - CINDERELLA

Truro - ROBINSOE CRUSOE & the CORNISH PIRATES

Barnstaple - SNOW WHITE

Gandalf cameo makes Corn Exchange panto magical Mon, December 05 2011 By Trish Lee, Arts Editor Email: trish.lee@newburynews.co.uk Phone: 01635 564 563

www.newburytoday.co.uk

Sir Ian McKellen and Newbury comedian Adam Brown both made a surprise appearance at the opening night of the Corn Exchange panto on Friday.
Brown of Newbury comedy duo Plested and Brown, who is one of its regular panto performers but couldn’t make this year’s performance as he is currently filming The Hobbit in New Zealand with Sir Ian, sent an audio file to be included in the show.
His voice-over was a scripted piece, but his covering email said: ‘I hope you don’t mind but I’ve added some extra bits, and got a friend involved...’ Listening revealed Ian McKellen adding his distinguished voice to the panto fun.
The producers, Corn Exchange Newbury & Hiss & Boo, were amazed and thrilled.
‘When I first heard Sir Ian McKellen’s voice I nearly fell off my seat’, said The Corn Exchange’s executive director Katy Griffiths. ‘Not only was it a great surprise but it was also very, very funny. The audience on opening night, couldn’t believe it. We are very sad not to have Adam in our show this year, but to hear his voice from across the world is the next best thing and the added bonus of Sir Ian McKellen’s involvement is one of those pieces of theatrical magic that come along all too rarely.’
NWN reviewer Eddie van der Walt said: 'It doesn't get more magical than Gandalf, so the excitement was palpable as the audience tried to work out whether the voice was indeed that of Sir Ian McKellen. But once he delivered the most memorable of Tolkien lines, "Thou shall not pass," there could be no doubt.
'Not being robbed of a tête-à-tête between Newbury's foremost panto duo was almost as nice, though, with Plested and Brown not letting the small detail of 11,000 miles stop them getting one over on each other.'
See Thursday's Newbury Weekly News for more details and a full review.

Robin Hood

by Phil Willmott
The Corn Exchange Newbury and Hiss and Boo
The Corn Exchange Newbury

Review by Robin Strapp (2011)

The Corn Exchange’s panto Robin Hood certainly hits the target, scoring an absolute bullseye in this hugely enjoyable family entertainment written and inventively directed by Phil Willmot.

The opening night’s enthusiastic and excited audience loved every minute and were soon into the swing of panto tradition, cheering the heroes and booing the baddies and enjoying the oodles of audience participation.

The majority of the company has performed together for several years and this really showed as this talented cast just oozed confidence and were having as much fun as the audience.

Willmot’s twist on the story is focussed on the relationships between the venomous evil King John—a superb performance by Joe Wicks—and the valiant brave Robin (Jorden Bird). Jessie Lilley is a sweet Maid Marion who eventually catches her man.

Although the audience is encouraged to join Robin’s gang, which they do with zeal, we only meet Friar Tuck and Little John in a brief tableau at the beginning of the panto, which is rather a pity.

Callum McArdle is the stoic King Richard off to fight in the Crusades and leaving his brother John in charge of the kingdom—a big mistake.

Mathew Grace reprises his role as Billy Bumpkin, a part he’s played for three years and he just grows in stature with his excellent rapport with the audience.

The superb Clare Plested is simply dazzling as the punk hip-hop rapping minstrel, seductively captivating the audience with her comic interpretation of her role as Sharon-A-Dale. All great fun.

Every panto needs a dame and once again Ian Mowat as Lady Shania Tuck is outstanding with the most outlandish costumes. He surely must be one of the most consummate dames in the business with wonderful comic timing and a completely delightful bond with the audience.

There is sound support from Katherine Hare and Alistair Hole as the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham, and the chorus of young folk are a joy to watch with slick choreography by Holly Hughes.

There is a lovely surprise when Adam Brown, one of the regular panto performers currently filming in New Zealand with Sir Ian McKellen, sent an audio file to be included in the show which includes a comic extract from Sir Ian, a truly unexpected moment of magic.

With a spirited musical score of modern rock songs under the direction of Mark Aspinall and beautiful costumes and a fine set, this is an impressive evening of fun, “Oh yes it is.”

The audience doesn’t need the words on a song sheet to sing the final number and what else could it be but that famous tune from the television series, “Robin Hood, Robin Hood riding through the glen” and the audience joins in with gusto. The perfect start to the festive season.

Robin Hood runs until the 2nd of January

They’ll be Robin an’ rollin’ from Newbury to Thatcham and beyond this Christmas thanks to the pantomime at the Corn Exchange.

Robin Hood and his band of merry women and men had the crowd rocking to the music and rolling with laughter as they took the audience on an adventure through Sherwood Forest. The on-stage action may be set in Nottinghamshire, but local landmarks also come in for some slapstick. Girls who work for Vodafone should be avoided as they are ‘Pay as you go’, while a beautiful but empty place referred to is the nearby Watermill Theatre. Ian Mowat as the dame, Lady Shania Tuck, is on a manhunt, but not for an outlaw, just any man. The unlucky man on opening night turned out to be ‘Big Geoffrey’ in the stalls. Lady Shania performs more costume changes than there are scenes, and if you never imagined a lady of a certain size and age could do a cartwheel followed by the splits think again. Her washing-line striptease has to be seen to be believed.

Clare Plested is back by popular demand as the wandering minstrel, Sharon-A-Dale, Matthew Grace gets the blues as the unlucky in love Billy Bumpkin, and Joe Wicks gets the deserved boos as the baddy Prince John. Despite following Lady Shania’s 3T’s advice – toss of the hair, teeth and titter – to win Robin’s attention, Maid Marion gets her man to the altar.

It’s the second royal wedding of 2011 of someone from West Berkshire. They must be doing something right in Newbury.

MARTIN VENNARD

THE STAGE

Robin Hood

Published Monday 5 December 2011 at 14:11 by Julie Watterston

If anyone thinks that pantomime is losing some of its tradition at the expense of modernity, look no further than the Corn Exchange to be proved wrong.

Over recent years the producers (Hiss and Boo and the Corn Exchange) have always tried to use current references and contemporary music while incorporating the usual facets of our well-loved Christmas panto and this year is no exception. The production team have excelled themselves.

Costumes are superb with special mention due to James MacIver who is credited for Dame Shania Tuck’s delectable array of incredible outfits worn by the irrepressible Ian Mowat.

Joe Wicks is an excellent baddie as Prince John, Jorden Bird is personable as Robin Hood with Jessie Lilley as the lovely Maid Marion, Callum McArdle as King Richard and Matthew Grace repeating his annual role of Billy Bumpkin.

Clare Plested as Sharon-A-Dale is coolness personified with her urban street style and slang.

A traditional walk-down finale with glittering costumes and a magical snowy ending are surely guaranteed to make this a 2011 favourite.

Cinderella

The Riverfront/Hiss and Boo , December 3, 2011

Theatre in Wales
Theatre, dance and performance reviews

Reviewed by: Michael Kelligan

Cinderella - Newport Riverfront

by Tryst Williams, Western Mail  Dec 7 2011  WalesOnline.co.uk

OK, so Newport might not be quite up there with Lapland and the North Pole when it comes to places you associate with Christmas.

But, by gum, this panto is guaranteed to warm your cockles and is as likely to get you in the festive spirit as a whole case of Bailey’s.

You know the story – like Kate Middleton’s courtship but with poverty in the back story and a couple of ugly siblings to boot.

And anyone whose ever been a kid will know the panto format, with parochial gags aplenty – in this case, jibes about Rogerstone folk and Severn Bridge tolls (which’ll have to be revised come the end of its run).

But despite its necessarily traditional constraints, this production is a cut above the norm, with the bonus of keeping my eight and five-year-olds entranced throughout its two and a half hour run.

For a start you’ve got Gwen from Gavin & Stacey (Melanie Walters) as the glam fairy godmother, with not an omelette in sight, while the other comedy roles really shine through.

There’s Keiron Self (the gormless one from My Family – not that that narrows it down) as the wisecracking Buttons to the ugly sisters played Richard Ellis (bloke who played the first Welsh role in EastEnders, fact fans) and Lee Mengo, particularly in the eye-watering balloon dance sequence and the usual ghostly shenanigans.

Then, amid the traditionalism there’s a nod to contemporary mores with the lovestruck romantic leads’ performance of Adele’s Make You Feel My Love.

Cheesy, yes. But in a good way.

Meanwhile, without whiz-bang holograms or fly-wires, the most hi-tech it gets is the robotic wooden horse and carriage shrouded in dry ice that whisks Cinders to the ball at the end of act one.

But this is all part of its back-to-basics enchantment. And it does it all so well – particularly in the way it revels in the whole Christmassy feel, replete with snow falling from the rafters onto the audience at the end.

Which is what you want from a panto, really. Go see.

South Wales Argus

Christmas is coming and Cinderella can't go to the ball, but never worry, Buttons is ditching his South Wales Argus  paper delivery round to help Cinder's find her Prince Charming!
 
Sounds fun? Well, it is.  Newport Riverfront's presentation  of Cinderella in association with Hiss and Boo Productions features over two hours of song, dance, and  slapstick, a sprinkle of snow and an all-star cast as well as a magical flying horse.
 
The tale of Cinderella is made possible by an enchanting performance from Nichola Lagan in the title role, while Rob  Wilshaw makes female hearts flutter as Prince Charming.
 
Melanie Walters (from Gavin & Stacey) is every inch the Fairy Godmother and regularly disappears in a puff of smoke  while Keiron Self (from My Family and High Hopes) raises many smiles as  Buttons especially when encouraging the audience to join in with the almost unpronounceable song about the Welsh village of  Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.
 
Returning panto favourites Richard Elis (from EastEnders) and Lee Mengo make a fabulous comic double act as Blodwen and  Myfanwy - The Ugly Sisters and give Goldie Lookin' Chain a run for their  money with a hip hop version of Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen's White Christmas  classic Sisters. The pair also show their talent for visual comedy performing  the Near Enough Ballet alongside Kieron Self.
 
Emma Goodwin as Eliza and Newport's talented children also  provide some stunning choreographed dance sequences adding further to the  magic of Cinderella's colourful scenes.
 
Cinderella continues at Newport Riverfront until January 02, 2012

Andy Howells
South Wales Argus

THE STAGE

Cinderella

Published Monday 5 December 2011 at 12:39 by Susie Wild

Even in the year of a Royal Wedding, not every modern girl wants to grow up to be a princess. In Newport, however, Will and Kate fever appears to have taken hold and many women and girls in the audience are dressed up as exactly that, settling down to believe in fairytale dreams. Hiss & Boo’s production keeps the ancient story traditionally soft, sappy and relatively unchanged, and a more contemporary world is instead only hinted at with the Ugly Sisters’ Primark bags and occasional, catty LOLs.

The romantic leads Nichola Lagan (Cinderella) and Rob Wilshaw (Prince Charming) are suitably saccharine and prove strong on vocals, but the song choices are often weak. Still, it is a saving grace that the show hasn’t suffered too much under the influence of X Factor. Instead, it leans towards the stuff of real magic with a flying horse, fireworks, sparkle and indoor snow bound to bring out childhood delight and festive cheer in all people of all ages.

As an added bonus, Buttons provides a party trick, teaching the audience how to pronounce Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. Although you might not manage it after three glasses of sherry on Christmas Day.

THE STAGE

Robinson Crusoe and the Cornish Pirates

Published Tuesday 13 December 2011 at 17:32 by Francesca Morrison

Deliciously dreadful puns and ruinous rhymes are just two of many pleasures in this ingeniously-written tale about a Cornish lad who sets sail for a treasure island using a map sketched on his mam’s bloomers.

His adventures encompass shipwrecks, creatures of the deep, Neptune, assorted mariners, and a pirate queen who could give Depp a run for his doubloons.

We’ve come to expect a lot from Hiss and Boo pantos, but this year’s offering is superlative in its crisp choreography, quality vocals, painterly sets, innovative effects, and joie de vivre.

Andrew Levesconte is appealing as the lanky and rather gormless Robinson, bringing a fine voice to his role as well as a firm grip on its humour.

Richard Alan’s Dame Patsy is full of comic gusto, interacting richly with clown Tweedy, Crusoe’s brother, who is a perennial favourite with Truro audiences for his brilliant buffoonery.

One of their slickest and funniest slapstick routines happens at sea on a ship that really does roll from side to side. But even while grappling with flying saucepans, Alan manages a few well-placed ad-libs.

Add ensemble finesse to all this, and the show is one to please adults as well as littl’uns.

The Cornishman 

Robinson Crusoe & The Cornish Pirates

PLENTY of song and dance? Check. Colourful sets and costumes? Check. Slapstick, obvious jokes and a little bit of innuendo for the adults? Check. The West Briton described by a character as "absorbing", meaning I'll give it a good review? Check.

This two and a half-hour extravaganza is the ideal way to kick-start some Christmas spirit which, lord knows, we all need more than ever this year.

It's brilliantly written by Rastamouse scribe Andrew Emerson who deftly mixes classic panto fun, a bit of role reversal meaning the usual wishy washy (oh, that's another panto) "hero" and "heroine" are more feisty than usual, and enough pirate jokes to sink a galleon. Yes, that old chestnut "where are your buccaneers?" makes an appearance. There are also enough Cornish references to make the home crowd happy – a well-placed "madder do et?" raised a smile. And, of course, the odd topical line – Nick Clegg won't be pleased.

The standard of singing and dancing is the best yet this year – both Andrew Levesconte (Robinson Crusoe) and Michelle Crook (Polly Perkins) have superb voices, backed by an excellent ensemble including some very talented Cornish kids. Having played a part in their selection, I'm glad to see we made the right choices. It's been a long time since we had a "name" in the HfC panto cast, but it really doesn't matter as Richard Alan (Dame Cornish Patsy), Tweedy (Crusoe's brother), Julie Hobbs (Cap'n Jackie Killigrew) and John Rawnsley (he has one of those faces) have all become stars in Cornish panto fans' eyes. The slapstick scenes between Patsy and Tweedy, in particular, are fantastic.

Hats off to director Stewart Nicholls and producer Ian Liston for giving us another hugely enjoyable collision of the modern and traditional.

Theatre Review: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Queen's Theatre in Barnstaple

Arts and Entertainment North Devon

It's Panto time at the Queen's Theatre in Barnstaple! ... Oh Yes It Is!

This year's in-house pantomime offering from North Devon Theatres and Ian Liston's Hiss & Boo Company is a brand new scripting of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs written by two of its stars; David Phipps-Davis and Mark Reeves.

Stuffed with silly and saucy panto gags old and new this is a Christmas feast for all ages.

Naughty Nurse Nora, bustily played by David Phipps-Davis, had me in tears; of joy at his glorious singing voice (which always leaves me wanting more) and of hilarity - I will never look at Beyonce the same way again after seeing the Nurse Nora version of Single Ladies!

Mark Reeves as Muddles is the perfect panto comic. Muddles carries the story and his excellent rapport with audience members young and old keeps the momentum of the show happily swinging along.

A fun addition to this version of Snow White was the clever celebrity voicing of the seven dwarfs by talented mimic Andrew Fleming. I'm not giving anything away, you'll have to go along yourselves to see if you can celeb spot those famous voices!

Kirsty McCallum, as a cute Snow White is the perfect match for Luke Fredericks' dashing but slightly daft Prince Harry and a special mention goes to the supporting cast of the North Devon Junior Company who once again have done us proud.

Snow White runs at the Queen's Theatre until Monday 2 January 2012.

Amanda McCormack 18/12/11

North Devon Journal

Review: Rosanna Rothery

SHE'S the registered nurse with a roly poly behind. Indeed her generous, gyrating, bulbous buttocks give a whole new meaning to "It's behind you!". Bopping around in a black leotard à la Beyonce, David Phipps-Davis as Nurse Nora makes for a bootilicious (albeit a tad butch) beauty in this year's panto.

Not that she's bringing up the rear in the voice department. Her deep tones boom out harmoniously in a night of enthusiastic, ear-rending performances – well if you can't be over-the-top in panto, when can you?

Mark Reeves, as usual, builds a delightful rapport with the children and there's some suitably sticky slapstick when he (Muddles) and Nurse Nora decorate the Evil Queen's bedroom.

My favourite performance though, perhaps surprisingly, is a supporting one. Jonathan Wadey plays the Queen's slave Herman The Henchman, a sycophantic and snivelling subordinate who, in the end, turns out to be smart, sneaky and not as spineless as he looks (his world-defeated, droopy demeanour, though, is a comic delight). Watch him steal the scene at Snow White's birthday party – surreptitiously getting sozzled in the background.

As villains go Ally Holmes, playing Queen Elvira, might have stepped out of the pages of Vogue. Striking, stylish and stuck up – the glint in her glamorous eye, rather more disdainful than dastardly. Little girls in the audience, meanwhile, might relate to sweet Snow White (Kirsty McCallum) and Fairy Moonbeam, a roller skating rabble-rouser who can't quite get to grips with rhyme (Jenny Perry).

On opening night the production soon started to warm up, taking off in the second half with some traditional "he's behind you" ghosty goings-on. It was lovely to hear little ones laughing loudly and letting rip with their larynxes. That's what it's all about, after all. In panto, the maxim that "the old ones are the best" always seems to ring true.

Local young people playing the dwarfs mime their parts very well, keeping perfect timing with their "famous" voices (pre-recorded by a top voice-over artist). Congratulations to them. The little folks' house in the woods is very cute too.

Children taking part in the production are:

The Hi villagers: Darcy Bladock, Mica Evans, Laura Imeson, Yas Smale and Jess Thompson.

The Hi dwarfs: Esme French, Lily French, Chloe Hardman, Oliver Ivan, Jed Kerby and Hannah Wells.

The Ho villagers: Steph Coats, Ellie Councell, Rhys Deane, Summer Robinson and Ella Tagg.

The Ho dwarfs: Zahra Bedford Higgs, Lotti Calvert, Lani Cloke, Jack Danson, Moo Lovering and Meg Williams.