Review - Cinderella
December 10, 2008
Date Reviewed: 9th December, 2008
Venue: The Journal Tyne Theatre, Newcastle
Cinderella, is the traditional British Pantomime, and revolves around the loyal servant Buttons, who is in love with Cinderella, who in turn is in love with the handsome Prince Charming. In to the mix add two ugly step sisters, who are also in love, with themselves.
In this version of the pantomime Barron Hardup ( Billy Mitchell), father to Cinderella (Catherine MacCabe), marries Cissy (Brendan Healy), the not-so-nasty stepmother, who has two rather unpleasant looking daughters Sharon and Tracy (Maxie Peters and Kevin O’Keefe) with an outrageous wardrobe to match their personalities. Read more
Review- Aladdin
December 10, 2008
Date Reviewed: 9th December, 2008
Venue: Sunderland Empire
I cannot imagine there is a more spectacular looking panto this Christmas, with large shimmering sets, great costumes and a first class flying carpet, this production of Aladdin has a lot going for it. Therefore I am disappointed that the show did not connect better with the audience.
The problem is there is no name for children to immediately connect with and try as hard as he might Steve Walls as Wishee Washee does not start to connect fully with the audience until well into the second half. The cast is led by Paul Michael Glaser, best known for Starsky and Hutch, as the evil Abanazar and Sheila Ferguson as the Genie with Anthony Kavanagh playing Aladdin and Kelly-Anne Gower bringing Princess Jasmine to life. Read more
Review -Goldilocks and The Three Bears
December 8, 2008
Date Reviewed: 7th December, 2008
Venue: Customs House , South Shields
There is no better way to sum up Goldilocks and the Three Bears than to say it is the little show with the big heart. This year’s pantomime at the Customs House delivers on all fronts as the audience immediately connect with the Ray Spence, best known in the region as Tommy the Trumpeter, who plays the hapless son of Dame Dotty played by Bob Stott. These two regulars know exactly how to play to an audience and thankfully understand pantomime, which allows the fun to work so well. So while the show does not try to compete with the regions other main pantomimes, it has built its own regular following and delivers just under three hours of fun. Read more
Review -Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates
December 5, 2008
Date Reviewed: 4th December 2008
Venue: Theatre Royal, Newcastle
Yo-Ho-Ho and a panto full of fun is the order of the day at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, as Writer, Producer and Director, Michael Harrison presents his fourth smash hit show.
Since first introducing the North East audiences to Clive Webb and Danny Adams, the real life father and son have become firm favourites at the venue, with each panto breaking previous records.
Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates is a fresh, new, spectacular pantomime that takes our hero on a journey which goes over and under the sea. Along the way we meet Titan the Robot , a 3D seahorse, fantastic large sets, a very different slosh scene and most of all are presented with over two hours of great family fun. Read more
Review - Hansel and Gretel
December 2, 2008
Venue: Northern Stage
Date Reviewed: 2nd December, 2008
Northern Stage have given a North East twist to the Brothers Grimm fairy tale Hansel and Gretel and turned it in to their Christmas show. This adaptation by Stephen Sharkey puts the action firmly in Kielder Forest, with plenty of local references and Geordie accents.
We first meet Hansel and Gretel as their evil stepmother, excellently played by Libby Davison, is preparing to give birth and their father, nicely portrayed by Tony Neilson, returns home once more without food or a job. The pair are sent to bed hungry, before deciding to run off in to the woods. Read more
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