Just our cup of tea
Theatre Royal panto review:
HAVING earned its reputation for the fastest-selling pantomime in the country, the Theatre Royal’s annual festive treat has set itself a ridiculously high standard to live up to.
Last year saw its long-time stars – father and son duo Clive Webb and Danny Adams – go all-out with a version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears that was more professional circus than home-spun panto, with international acts and bold and brash stunts.
So, as we took our seats in a packed theatre for Beauty and the Beast, it came as a surprise to find that this year – instead of pushing ever-wider boundaries – they appear to have reined themselves in and the result is something far more like traditional panto.
For my part, it’s the right decision. While I enjoyed last year’s sheer spectacle, this felt like we had more ‘quality time’ with the show’s stars and co. and we warmed to them all over again.
And they do indeed add a hefty slice of the ridiculous that Newcastle audiences have come to expect – and love.
We actually wait a little while to meet them – and their much-loved fellow cast regulars Chris Hayward
– whose Dame this time is Mrs Potty – while former “baddie” Steve Arnott is the likeable Dashing Dick the talking candlestick.
First the stage is set for the wellknown fairytale – with the Prince (Chris Cowley) cursed to appear as a Beast – before Webb, this year playing Crazy Clive, madcap inventor father of Belle, pedalling, perched precariously, on stage on a bike to make a tumbling entrance, soon to be followed by Adams as a hapless castle servant.
And from then the pair’s regular appearances punctuate the story with sheer good-fun silliness in slapsick scenes that show off Adams’
physical comedy skills with Norman Wisdom-like pratfalls and near misses.
While Adams’ near-the-knuckle jokes appeared to pass over the heads of young ones (thankfully), all ages loved the likes of the Trunk of Truth which strips Danny (quite literally) of his self-proclaimed success with the ladies and a wonderfully messy scene that sees him and Crazy Clive set out to clean and re-paint a statue (one of several roles for Michael Potts’ familiar Idiot).
In between come moments of pure enchanting fairytale, particularly between Laura Evans’ Belle and Cowley’s Beast while vibrant ensemble song and dance numbers could give Vegas a run for its money.
Everything about this show, produced and directed as usual by Michael Harrison, is high quality and looks wonderful, from the lighting – lots of sparkling and flashing – to the eye-popping cartoon colours of the sets, which include a rotating tower.
Fabulous costumes range from the increasingly crazy creations worn by Dame Dotty – whose entrance in a giant teapot scene I loved – to an impressive Beast and from a beautiful Belle ball-gown to a gold and pink feather-laden spectacular finale.
There’s enough glitter and magic to satisfy any fairytale lover while adding a bit of edge is the roar of Cowley’s Beast and special effects that sees the giant head of a yelllow-eyed wolf emerge from the background during a woodland chase scene.
Performances from all the cast – which includes young members of the Marron Theatre Arts group – are excellent and I particularly liked Arnott – who has the perfect stage voice – have his well-spoken candlestick drop a few Geordie-isms; Hayward’s cheery “Hello me bonnie bairns” banter with the audience (and his ability to pull off anything including being spun around upside down in one scene) and Wayne Smith’s return this time as a very Flash Harry.
It’s quite brilliant on every level, with surprises in store during some very funny audience-on-stage moments and the fact that Adams has now acquired a few knife-throwing skills.
Adding to the attractions are the live orchestra and songs featuring takes on Achy Breaky Heart and D.I.S.C.O.
As for Adams’ song at the end about North East people and places – which gets faster and faster sea shanty-style – it was a masterstroke.
Beauty and the Beast runs at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle until January 19.