Jack’s giant riot of panto laughter
CLIVE ROWE and comic Al Murray lead another hearty panto in Wimbledon.
Rowe is one of the best dames in the business and here he is again, looking like a giant fairy cake stuffed with additives, colourings and preservatives.
Also, like a supersized Frankie Howerd, he’s a very game Dame, shuffling up his stuffed bosom when gravity starts to take its toll, rolling an eye over dads in the front rows, and wheezing at his own gags.
As his errant son Barman Al, Murray storms the stage with his battle cry ‘all hail the ale!’ — followed by his set-piece questions, ‘where would we be without rules?’ (France!) and ‘where would we be with too many rules?’ (Germany!). Murray always has something up his sleeve including marvelling at a lady called Dawn and telling us her name comes from the ancient Celtic, meaning ‘born on a council estate’.
There’s a great gag about Meghan Markle that’s more adult-oriented, but the best thing about this show is that it’s a riot of festive chintz for all the family.
My favourite dance routine was an Old MacDonald farmyard jig that featured local kids dressed as lambs. My seven-year-old’s favourite character was the panto heifer, turning livestock into laughing stock by flashing her ample udder.
There are pop songs from Mr Postman to Superstition, and a groan-inducing If You Leave Me Cow (before Daisy’s taken to market) and a silly serenade to the titular plant: Ain’t No Beanstalk High Enough.
But the highlight of the second half is a 3D tour of the giant’s castle with spiders, skulls and giant’s snot shooting into the audience. You’ve been warned.
If there was a scintilla of sophistication, I couldn’t detect it — unless it was the fact that as well as lining their own pockets the producers make sure there’s a collection for charities too. A festive knockabout.