4 STARS, December 14 – January 7. A wonderful traditional pantomime that'll entertain children and parents alike, says Alison Hunt
Bryan Allman
When I mentioned I was taking my three children to see the pantomime at The Yvonne Arnaud last night, I was met by a chorus of approving comments from the mums at school. While some theatres seem to be leaning towards full-on Broadway shows at Christmas, the Yvonne Arnaud still proudly embraces the traditional British panto, with all the silliness that you could hope for.
This year’s offering is Dick Whittington – but really, the only thing to differentiate it from last year’s is the title. Panto favourite, Jamie Brook returns as the (surprisingly energetic) Idle Jack, with Eagle Radio’s Peter Gordon relishing his role as buxom Sarah the Cook. Together with the brilliantly evil Kit Hesketh-Harvey as King Rat, this threesome has perfected its panto formula – much to the audience’s delight.
The story of Dick Whittington’s rise from rags to riches is ably told by writer and director, Jamie Smith, with the principal role being adeptly played by Kane Verrall, with Natalie Turner as an elegant Alice. Katie Beard provides some lovely choreography, particularly with the child ‘rats’ and my sons were extremely impressed with the ship sets that could ‘really move’.
A madcap music mash-up had even my ‘too-cool for school’ 11-year-old laughing, while the hilarious YMCA number had everyone in stitches. My boys almost lost their voices ‘booing’ King Rat, and professed there was nothing as exciting as catching a ball of ‘rat repellent’ to throw at him.
Bryan Allman
Regular attendees will be happy to know the exhausting ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ and the ‘Bench song’ routines still feature prominently – the ‘five custard pies’ will always be a highlight and my youngest son was beyond thrilled when the ‘seven pairs of pants’ landed squarely on his head. Interestingly, Sarah the Cook produced a seat halfway through to have a little break, declaring ‘Well I am 50 now!”
The wonderful Nick Barclay as Alderman Fitzwarren seemed perhaps a little underused and we sadly couldn’t hear Judy Cornwell as Fairy Bowbells very clearly. But a star of the show for my children and I was undoubtedly Georgie Leatherland as Tommy the Cat, whose skilful dancing and engaging presence stole every scene she was in.
Be prepared if you’ve booked seats in the front row – quick-witted King Rat took quite a shine to Jenny from Woking “You’re retired? Surely that is more Guildford than Woking?” and a group of teenage girls may regret throwing balls at Idle Jack quite so enthusiastically…
In conclusion: If you’re looking for a Christmas show with West End style musical numbers, try elsewhere. But if you fancy a traditional, raucous, madcap panto to entertain all the family and leave you smiling, the Yvonne Arnaud is the place to come.
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