Rainbow Roadies
The Wizard of Oz
by L Frank Baum, adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company
Step on Stage at the Hampton Hill Theatre until 13th January
Review by Michelle Hood
The delightful Wizard of Oz rarely fails to enthrall audiences with its familiar mix of rich characters, fantasy and memorable melodies. And this production at Hampton Hill Theatre, by the performing arts school Step on Stage is no exception. Indeed, this was an ambitious project for a children’s production, using the full-length RSC adaptation, and running for some two and a half hours. With a cast of just under forty children and young adults, all under sixteen, even the marshalling of the performers and their many entrances, exits and costume changes was a vast undertaking, and which was managed seamlessly.
Director Emma Tinniswood is to be congratulated by the way she filled the stage with colour and movement, aided by Ashley Johnson’s creative choreography, which was capably executed by an energetic cast. The production values were enhanced by good use of colour, from the drab greys and blacks of Kansas to the bright yellows and greens of Oz. Particularly effective were the use of different coloured umbrellas, such as the blue and green umbrellas in the “munchkin” scene and the red umbrellas in the “poppies” scene. Effects too were excellently executed, such as the tornado scene, and the countless costumes reflected what must have been hours of work put into their creation, from frilly white tutus to polka-dot skirts – all key elements in creating the enchanted world of Dorothy with her ruby slippers and blue and white gingham dress.
Read more…Glad to Be Alive
The Unfriend
by Steven Moffat
Playful Productions at Wyndham’s Theatre, West End until 9th March
Review by Mark Aspen
The West End blockbuster comedy, The Unfriend is a story that could almost be true, but isn’t.
Now, here is a true story, which could almost be untrue. Some years ago, following an event that my wife attended in the USA, we were enjoying a lunch on the sunny harbour-side in Boston, Mass. Suddenly a heavy downpour sent us all rushing into the restaurant’s small building. Sardine-packed together, commiserating, we all were soon chatting. When the sun soon came out again, our fellow diners invited us to join them on their table, where they’d been having a party. Naturally, we asked what they were celebrating. “Oh, it’s Joe. He came out of prison this morning”. When we open-mindedly inquired what he had been in for, the reply was totally light and matter of fact, “Homicide”. As the quite convivial lunch drew to an end, we were invited to continue the party chez Joe’s that evening. It may have been churlish, but we didn’t go … and Joe seemed a really nice chap.
Read more…Humour and Humanity
A Christmas Carol
by Mitch Benn after Charles Dickens
Mitch Benn at Baron’s Court Theatre until 23rd December
Review by Heather Moulson
In Barons Court’s subterranean performing space, a one-time beer barrel cellar, an effective smoke-filled atmosphere gives the ambience of the archetypical Victorian winter. In his one-man storytelling of Dicken’s much loved seasonal tale, comedian, satirist and songwriter Mitch Benn cuts a monumental figure in top hat and thick overcoat. Taking on all characters from Charles Dickens’ intricate morality tale, this is an ambitious project, but Benn brings his own particular aura, with only a lonely coat stand for a prop.
Mitch Benn is perhaps best known as the resident comedy songwriter on BBC Radio Four’s The Now Show. Here he uses Dickens’ original abridged text to breathe new life into A Christmas Carol.
Read more…Blue Beans Optional
Jack and the Beanstalk
by Jonny Danziger
OSO at the OSO Arts Centre, Barnes until 23rd December
Review by John Davies
The great thing about pantomimes is that everyone knows the story, so you don’t have to worry about not following the plot and I don’t have to do a full synopsis here.
The tricky thing for a pantomime is that everyone knows the story, so the risk is the audience are always ahead of the action and not fully engaged! So, tweaking the tale is a recommended approach – and essentially de rigueur with pantomimes.
The OSO production of Jack and The Beanstalk does a great job of managing the balance of familiarity and surprise. We have still have the somewhat dim-witted Jack (Toby Baddeley) – who really loves animals – and his larger than life Mum (William Relton) as Dame Trott – “I’m a man in a bra” he says at one point, in case we weren’t sure – plus Yeasty Jill (Kaitlin Reynell) as the bright and ambitious girl next door. But then there is an evil Tech Giant (Maddy Maguire) – played hilariously as Elon Musk – and a particularly sexy cow, Daisy (Emelye Moulton), taking a much more central role. Add to this the Golden Goose and the Giant’s incompetent secretary, and you have your full cast.
Read more…Dazzling Delight
Ellie & Starlight’s Christmas Adventure
by Ken Mason
Stephen Leslie Productions at Cecil Hepworth Playhouse, Walton until 24th December
Review by Sadie Williams
Cecil Hepworth Playhouse finally received their turn to host the unlikely companions Ellie and Starlight, two much-loved characters who had previously trodden the boards at Hampton Hill Theatre to delighted audiences. Now their adventures continue.
Read more…A Sad Tale’s Best For Winter
The White Carnation
by Robert Cedric Sherriff
The Questors at the Questors Studio, Ealing until 31st December
Review by Andrew Lawston
We are now firmly in the grip of the wintry dark days of December, and the British have long agreed that there’s nothing like a good ghost story to while away the longest nights of the year. These stories have taken many forms over the years, from the morality tale of A Christmas Carol to the chilling short stories of M.R. James, but perhaps none of them are quite so urbane as The White Carnation, R.C. Sherriff’s 1953 play, now revived by Questors Theatre for this festive season, and running in their studio alongside the pantomime fun of Treasure Island.
Following a Christmas Eve party, the faintly obnoxious stockbroker John Greenwood waves off his guests before his front door slams shut, locking him outside, and his house is plunged into darkness.
Read more…Sparkling Family Treat
Buddy & Cocoa’s Christmas Adventure
by Ken Mason
Stephen Leslie Productions at Hampton Hill Theatre until 24th December
Review by Sadie Williams
Hampton Hill Theatre is buzzing with more festive fun this year as Buddy and Cocoa, played by Joanna McGarva and Charlotte Ellen, dazzle young audiences with their singing, dancing and adventure. Throw into the mix an array of colourful characters expertly played by the experienced Peter F. Gardiner, previously seen in Coronation Street, and Stephen Leslie’s latest production, Buddy & Cocoa’s Christmas Adventure is a real Christmas cracker.
The audience join the two elves, Buddy and Cocoa, as they set off on a magical mission to find gold dust for Santa’s sleigh.
Read more…Not Rattled
Dick Whittington
by Alan McHugh, additional material by Paul Merton
Crossroads Pantomimes at Richmond Theatre until 7th January
Review by Mark Aspen
London Lights! Wham, Crossroads opens Dick Whittington with its wonted whammy and razzmatazz, full on there with monumental music, lighting and sound, full on with energy, physical and electrical. With a press night on the day that COP 28 came to an end in Dubai, it felt like a use-it-or-lose it moment. (What a gesture towards the participants dispersing home in their private jets!)
This is a panto that is not done by halves, and the opening is a measure of the energy and the fun to come throughout. And a constant foil to the show is the ubiquitous, versatile and hyper-dynamic ensemble, acrobatically choreographed by Jonathan Mawson, who appear in many guises from noisome rats to nautical ratings.
Read more…And Pretty Maids All
The Secret Garden
by Louise Haddington, adapted from the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Take Note Theatre at the Theatre at the Tabard, Chiswick until 31st December
Review by Heather Moulson
On my first visit to this renowned theatre at Turnham Green, an elegant space upstairs over an equally elegant pub, we discovered a neat stage area and a very receptive audience, soon with ourselves included.
The Secret Garden opened against a deceptively plain background, the basis of a sensitively designed set by Hazel Owen. Here meet the unhappy and lonely ten year old Mary Lennox, recently arrived from India to become a ward to an indifferent rich uncle. The little girl, was played by Daisy Rae, skilful with her edginess, and with a striking stage presence, as she portrayed an unloved, but privileged child, with talent and conviction.
Read more…Revel in It
Cinderella
by Alan McHugh, additional material by Pete Firman and Matt Slack
Crossroads Pantomimes at the New Wimbledon Theatre until 7th January
Review by Thea Diamond
What’s there not to love about a well-known rags-to-riches story this Christmas? And it is something special when it is produced by Crossroads, whose tried and tested large scale panto productions never fail to impress with their magical special effects, spectacular costumes, breath-taking scenery, lighting and pyrotechnics; along with all the glitter and glamour of familiar household stars taking centre stage.
Read more…
Mark Aspen 