★★★★☆ Jon Monie is the consummate panto pro. With possibly the jiggliest eyes in the business – with an ability to make them appear attached to their sockets by nervous springs – he has, more importantly the skill to be able to sell a lame gag like few other performers. . . With colourful sets and costumes, songs, dancing, flying and someone to boo with glee what more could you want from a panto?
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★★★★☆ In this version the dashing swordsman, Sir Percy, swaps his original calling card of a red flower (scarlet pimpernel) for a picture of a pimply nose. As with the Baroness’s original – and many a super hero after – the fearless Sir Percy assumes the guise of the meekest of men; in this case the most foppish of poodle lovers.
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★★★★☆ The ultimate message is to indulge in a little bit of group therapy. There is a bitter sweet finale when personal stories are divulged by the trio before a birthing scene slightly less miraculous than the Virgin birth, but equally surprising.
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★★★★☆ Gok Wan as the Fairy Gokmother is very much within his comfort zone, effectively recreating his TV fashion makeover shows as he transforms Cinderella into a ‘Girlfriend’ fit for a Prince. He and Brian Conley have a good chemistry and the occasional, sometimes scripted, give and take is always good natured.
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★★★★☆ The Old Fire Station always puts on a great Christmas show – heart-warming and festive, but without resorting to pantomime. This year’s Snowflake is no exception. Mike Bartlett has written a thoughtful family drama, politically engaged and unsentimental, with plenty of laughs (and a few tears).
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★★★★☆ The Cheltenham Everyman closes out the year with an enjoyable pantomime that neatly encapsulates a traditional silly and raucous family outing, whilst heralding a year of change and ambitious programming for 2019. . . Tweedy’s got an easy and well-practiced rapport with the children in the audience, impressive and energetic clowning antics on stage . . .
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