SAY BOO-HISS TO 2020 AT A REAL LIVE PANTO
OH NO they won’t . . . oh yes they will. The debate about whether or not this year’s pantomimes would go ahead has raged since Covid first made its entrance in the spring, to a chorus of disapproval.
Thankfully, some enticing shows are being performed live, in front of actual people, albeit in truncated form (the shows, that is, not the people). All the pantos mentioned are being presented in one act, to minimise the risk.
If you want an outlet for your pent-up 2020 boos and hisses then a treat awaits at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking, Surrey, where Strictly Come Dancing’s resident meanie Craig Revel Horwood stars as an even bigger grouch, the Sheriff of Nottingham, in Robin Hood (December 18-January 10; followed by The Alexandra in Birmingham, January 15-31, atgtickets. com). He, um, revels in winding up the audience. Light relief comes from Richard Cadell & Sooty.
Another must-see is Robinson Crusoe at
Theatre Royal Plymouth (December 12January 3; theatreroyal.com, 01752 267222) as it stars the brilliant Les Dennis, who will be getting out the false bosoms to play the Dame. He’s joined by Blue band member Simon Webbe, who will be swashing his buckle in the title role.
At the Mayflower in Southampton, Lesley Joseph from Birds Of A Feather stars as the wicked fairy Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty (December 19-January 3, mayflower.org.uk, 02380 711811). Loveable joker Joe Pasquale is typecast as Muddles the jester.
Debbie McGee, meanwhile, has picked up her magic wand at the Theatre Royal Windsor to play the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella (until January 10, theatreroyal windsor.co.uk, 01753 853 888). Her co-star is the inimitable Basil Brush.
Potted Panto at London’s Garrick Theatre (December 5-January 10, nimaxtheatres.com, 0330 333 4811) offers terrific value for those whose Christmas schedules are tight. Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, who previously condensed Harry Potter to great acclaim, offer a madcap gallop through seven classic pantomimes . . . in just 70 minutes.
Dick Whittington (December 11-January 23, nationaltheatre.org.uk) is the National Theatre’s first foray into panto. It was written by Jude Christian and Cariad Lloyd for the Lyric Hammersmith, where it ran in 2018. But it has been updated, so expect jokes about lockdowns . . . and another former London mayor, Boris Johnson.
Lastly, if you like your pantomime sans sugary sweetness but with plenty of, er, baubles, Cinderella: The Socially Distanced Ball at the Turbine Theatre in London (until December 23, theturbinetheatre. com, 020 7851 0300) may appeal. Jodie Prenger and Neil Hurst’s new take on the tale is not for the faint-hearted, as the cast, including Rufus Hound and Debbie Kurup, indulge in some smutty fun.