There was an infectious feeling of fun, frivolity and non-stop belly-busting laughter across Leeds as the famous Rock ‘n’ Roll panto presenting Dick Whittington, was showing at the fabulous City Varieties Music Hall. After receiving the most festive and friendliest of welcomes from the front of house team, an excited audience settled down for a pantomime that brought the house down.
‘A glorious romp’: TONY! [THE TONY BLAIR OPERA] – Park Theatre
Voted back into power three times, Tony Blair left office with the accusations of being a manipulative liar ringing in his ears – not that that has ever slowed down the current incumbent. And it is this almost Shakespearian trajectory of the tragic hero gone to the bad which forms the backbone of Tony! at the Park Theatre.
‘Well on the way to being a very fine political satire’: TONY! [THE TONY BLAIR OPERA] – Park Theatre
Tony Blair became an MP and Prime Minister with the sole intention of meeting Mick Jaggers [sic], at least in Harry Hill and Steve Brown’s new satire Tony! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] at the Park Theatre.
NEWS: New Park Theatre season will feature the London premiere of Little Women musical
The autumn-spring season at London’s Park Theatre will include the London premiere of new musical Little Women and a work in progress showing of Tony! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] by Harry Hill and Steve Brown.
‘The perfect tonic to these darker times’: THE SNOW QUEEN – Ipswich (Online review) ★★★★
Full of joy and imagination with some hilarious jokes and great music choices, The Snow Queen at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich is guaranteed to brighten your spirits this Christmas.
‘A complete delight of a musical’: ONCE – Touring ★★★★★
The audience can’t hep but be attentive throughout as Once has the magical ability to completely wrap them up and take them on a journey that is pure and delicate.
‘Raises the heart & hits the spot’: ONCE – Ipswich ★★★★★
This joint Wolsey and Hornchurch production of Once, the regional premiere long overdue for this lovely show, raises the heart and hits the spot.
Robin Hood & the Babes in the Wood (with Sandy Grigelis) – Stafford ★★★★★
It’s been a long time since I last saw Robin Hood And The Babes In The Wood performed, and it was a very different incarnation to the Rock ‘N’ Roll version currently being staged at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre. This particular version has become one of my favourite pantomimes of the season!
NEWS: Paul Nicholas & Wendi Peters star in Ronald Harwood’s Quartet on tour
Producer Mark Goucher follow The Dresser with another Ronald Harwood play, The Dresser, starring Paul Nicholas, Wendi Peters, Sue Holderness and Jeff Rawle at Cheltenham and on tour.
ALADDIN THE WOCK ‘n’ ROLL PANTO – Stafford
With music ranging from Tutti Frutti to ABC to Wild Thing to I’m Still Waiting, there were plenty of well selected musical numbers which fitted the theme of each scene and the cast were all talented musicians which was a refreshing take.