The Free Press guide to the best pantos in Gwent, Cardiff and Bristol (From Free Press Series)
The Free Press guide to the best pantos in Gwent, Cardiff and Bristol
11:51am Wednesday 21st December 2011 in News
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FROM Peter Pan to Sleeping Beauty, there is plenty going on in pantoland over the next few weeks to get you in the festive mood.
The panto season gets into full swing, with comedians, family entertainers and a star of hit BBC show Gavin and Stacey taking to the stage as well as over the border former Baywatch star David Hasselhoff is the big name attraction at the Bristol Hippodrome.
at Newport’s Riverfront Theatre, Melanie Walters, better known as Gwen from Gavin and Stacey and former EastEnders’ actor Richard Elis appear in Cinderella, which runs until January 2. Tickets are from £6 to £16, with details available from newport.gov.uk/riverfront.
in Monmouthshire, Gwent Young People’s Theatre Christmas Revue takes place at the Meville Theatre on December 17, with a host of sketches, music, comedy and storytelling.
And at the Savoy in Monmouth, Sleeping Beauty is the attraction, which runs until December 18, with tickets priced between £4 and £12. Details are available at monmouth-savoy.co.uk.
ChAOS, Chepstow’s local amateur drama group will be performing their pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Drill Hall, Chepstow on Friday, 13th January at 7.30pm, Saturday, 14th January at 2.30 and 7.30pm, and on Sunday 15th January at 2.30pm.
Tickets available from Chepstow Museum, Hannah’s Music and the Coventry Building Society. Come along to cheer Snow White and boo the baddies.
The Congress Theatre, Cwmbran, will host a Christmas Extravaganza on December 18, with performances from the Nidus Children’s Choir. Tickets are £6 and £7 with details available from congresstheatrecwmbran.co.uk.
to get you in the panto mood the Free Press sent our reviewers out to the three big city pantos to see what is in store for you.
Review Peter Pan: Bristol Hippodrome IT’S not often that Bristol can boast a touch of Baywatch about it, and certainly not in the chilly month of December, but this was somewhat achieved with the arrival of TV screen legend, David Hasselhoff, at the Hippodrome to take on the part of Hook in this year’s Panto Peter Pan.
It’s often rare for parents to harbour the same measure of excitement as their children in anticipation of attending panto but it was clear from just entering the auditorium that mums and dads who grew up with shows such as Knight Rider, Baywatch and lest not forget the best forgotten spin-off Baywatch Nights, were equally as giddy.
those familiar with the JM Barrie classic will know it takes some time for Hook to make his first appearance so it was down to the hilarious and cheeky antics of Bristolian comedian, Andy Ford as Smee to quickly satisfy the audience, and it was the bellyaching laughter that his witty one-liners evoked that arguably stole the entire show.
Once The Hoff took to the stage though he quickly reminded the audience who was the big-hitter and the fact that he does actually have an incredible stage presence and an impressive vocal range, meant he was a perfect choice to carry the lead role.
Special mention must also be made of the sensational talent that was displayed by youngsters such as the Lost Boys, the Indians and the Darling children.
Lia Hind Review: Robinson Crusoe & The Caribbean Pirates, Cardiff new Theatre well shiver me timbers Blackheart the Pirate has come from a very bad place far away only to arrive in Cardiff to steal a map from the debonair Robinson Crusoe. By possessing the map, Blackheart hopes to gain access to Skull Island’s Temple of Treasure but first he needs to overpower Crusoe, his mother, Captain Cockle and The Magical Mermaid.
Set against a backdrop of vibrantly colourful sets, Cardiff new Theatre 2011 panto offering is a real treat. Ventriloquist Paul Zerdin delights adults and children alike with a comical and energetic performance that works on several levels.
Paul’s puppet Sam shows he’s smarter than your average dummy coming into his own via quick one-liners and in one instance delivering a magical surprise!
TV favourite Christopher Biggins is fabulous as the Panto Dame mixing deadpan comic reactions with a variety of costumes (including a tribute to Shirley Bassey) and much slapstick; Biggins delights fans old and new and never fails to raise a laugh whether been chased by pirates or gorillas.
This colourful production also features David Bedella as the classical looking pirate Blackheart and Lucy Sinclair who glides onto the stage as The Magical Mermaid, the exotic looking Stephanie Siadatan as Girl Friday and Alexander Delamere as the dependable Captain Cockle.
Spectacular dance sequences come courtesy of Robinson’s crew and The Lorri Guppy School of Dance while popular songs from High School Musical, Glee and Hairspray have the audience singing and joining in.
Robinson Crusoe continues at Cardiff new Theatre until 22 January 2012 – Don’t miss the fun!
Andy Howells Review: CInderella: The Riverfront, Newport Christmas is coming and Cinderella can’t go to the ball, but never worry, Buttons is ditching his paper delivery round to help Cinders find her Prince Charming!
Sounds fun? well, it is. Newport Riverfront’s presentation of Cinderella, in association with Hiss and Boo Productions, features more than two hours of song, dance, and slapstick, a sprinkle of snow and an all-star cast, as well as a magical flying horse.
The tale of Cinderella is made possible by an enchanting performance from Nichola Lagan in the title role, while Rob Wilshaw makes female hearts flutter as Prince Charming.
Melanie Walters (from Gavin & Stacey) is every inch the Fairy Godmother and regularly disappears in a puff of smoke while Keiron self (from my Family and High Hopes) raises many smiles as Buttons, especially when encouraging the audience to join in with the almost unpronounceable song about the Welsh village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.
Returning panto favourites Richard Elis (from EastEnders) and Lee Mengo make a fabulous comic double act as Blodwen and Myfanwy – The Ugly Sisters – and give Goldie Lookin’ Chain a run for their money with a hip hop version of Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen’s White Christmas classic Sisters.
The pair also show their talent for visual comedy performing the near Enough Ballet alongside Kieron self.
Emma Goodwin as Eliza and Newport’s talented children also provide some stunning choreographed dance sequences adding further to the magic of Cinderella’s colourful scenes.
Cinderella continues at Newport Riverfront until January 2, 2012.
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