The Manchester Opera House managed to cast former Coronation Street star Tina O'Brien before her stint on this year's Strictly Come Dancing. The panto also stars Emmerdale's Andy Devine and Deena Payne as Herman and Queen Morgiana.
The show's writer Eric Potts tries hard to successfully blend slapstick humour, sight gags, "Why did the chicken cross the road" style jokes and plenty for the adults. The results are mixed leaving many older members of the audience perplexed as some of the lines which are supposed to be serious leave many giggling, whilst it does lack those intentional laugh-out-loud moments. An opportunity to include more Strictly mentions and Corrie's tram crash storyline is missed, which is a shame as it makes the panto appear more current.
O'Brien does a good job as Snow White (even though she is saddled with an awful black wig) bringing innocence and a cheeky knowing smile to the role. Although, many of the song and dance numbers do expose that vocally she is not the best. Payne does admirably and even though she fluffed many of her lines on the night I attended, she enters into the panto spirit, relishing the boos from the audience.
Devine though looks out of depth and frankly a little bored as the henchman - Herman. He has great droll comic timing but simply lacks oomph and therefore fails to convince all of the time. Mike Toolan is clearly an audience favourite and he has good chemistry with O'Brien.
Warwick Davis' direction is spirited and he fills the stage constantly, but sometimes the piece needs more urgency as some scenes do grind to a halt. For me, Tam Ryan is the star turn here as he is witty, has good vocal ability, clearly understands the genre and his rapport with the audience is second to none. Trevor Jones also does well as Prof - the leader of the seven dwarfs. A special mention must go to the ensemble and swings who are all superb.
Although you may cringe in disbelief that Payne has been given Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" as her stand out song - shoe horned in for no reason really (hearing is believing!) - there is nothing totally bad about this production. The audience loved it and if you enjoy pantos, this does deliver. The script though is sadly not in the same league as last year's Opera House production - Potts' Aladdin.
I agree with PJ the panto was dire the little girl next to me was almost asleep! Muddles was certainly the best. We were disappointed that Tina O'Brien did not play Snow White and there was certainly no mention on the bill boards outside. Seeing Andy Devine having a quick fag at the stage door before hand did nothing for me.
Back to Blackpools Grand next year - Cookie
30 Dec 10
A brilliant warm up for the Christmas season the children loved it. Singing songs all the way home in the car.Tina O'Brian made a sweet Snow White and Deena Payne had a fine balance of evil and comedy but who is Tam Ryan (muddles)? He stoll the show and had us all crying with laughter. A fresh face to me and one I hope to see more of. Well Done First Family N.F.
- Nick
29 Dec 10
It takes Television names to sell a show and in this case a supporting cast to make it work. A very am-dram production. Andy Devine looked like he really didn't want to be there as the Queens unconvincing henchman. Tina O'Brien, managed to do her lines like a 4 year old in the nativity. Emmerdales Deeena Payne was the surprise with an excellent 'panto' performance. 'Mumbles' (dunno) stole the show but whilst doing so, made the TV stars look very amateurish. Radios Mike Toolan was just ok as the prince. The long awaited entrance of the dwarves was well received and picked up the whole performance. If this is Manchesters finest, Londons West End has nothing to fear. - steve ok
20 Dec 10
The last Saturday before Christmas and the theatre is full. The lights go down and the singing begins. We all wait for the big entrance of Snow White, ready to aplaud and there she is. The crowd go... Silent! That's not Tina O'Brian. What's going on? From then on it's the most lack lustre and disappointing panto atmosphere the Manchester Opera house has seen in years.
I'm sorry but it doesn't work today. The story plods along interludes with songs of no revalence and a ropey magician. The young lady playing Snow White is very good but it's not who we came to see. As we leave the theatre there is a small A4 poster telling us that she is the leading lady tonight. I didn't see it going in! No mention from anyone at the start of the show told us Miss O' Brian was going to be absent. Maybe she was snowed in some-where. That would be acceptable or she is ILL. More fool us. We get home and there she is on BBC 1 Strictly Come Dancing! Are you taking the Micky? We paid good money to see her as Snow White and she's not even in the North West! I'm blinking fuming.
The guy who played Muddles stole the show. Everyone else looked bored to tears. Even the kids in the audience were bored.
Poor show indeed Manchester Opera House. Won't be back next year.
- PJ
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