Billed because the Greatest Panto on Earth the Richmond theatre pantomime could also be overselling itself, however it’s actually a really handsome present with a powerful forged and fast-paced comedy and selection acts, however is it a pantomime in any respect? Of course, it has the love story of the principal boy and principal woman, it has a larger-than-life Dame and a nasty villain who we like to boo and loads of conventional pantomime enterprise. In truth, it has a protracted historical past as a pantomime beginning in 1853 on the Haymarket in London and the 1939 Oldham Coliseum manufacturing featured travelling showmen and acrobats which lastly turned the 2 rival circuses within the Nineteen Eighties. Of course, the stay bears of the Fifties are lengthy gone, and this Richmond manufacturing is predicated on The Palladium spectacle of 2019, and it sits very properly on the gorgeous Richmond stage.
It helps that his two major companions within the comedian enterprise are seasoned professionals with the comedian Phil Walker as Ringo having appeared in 20 Pantomimes and the Grand Dame Nigel Ellacott in his forty eighth season. That expertise exhibits within the timing and supply of their routines with Matt together with a freshened-up mastermind routine, a brand new tackle the music lip sync routine, and a reprisal of the Birmingham Hippodrome’s 2018 flag pun routine. Matt Slack’s affect as Director was clear in a lot of the comedy enterprise. Walker’s comedian supply is well-paced with loads of foolish corny jokes. Ellacott brings an incredible stage presence, some beautiful frocks (together with one beforehand worn by the nice Danny La Rue) and his personal distinctive enterprise. His engagement with a keen sufferer within the viewers is dealt with beautifully together with a superb punchline in his trademark Dame’s strip and his fluttering eyelashes are used to nice impact. He returned after the present for a captivating interview with Simon Slater, Chair of the UK Pantomime Association, about his life in Pantomime with insights into how he discovered his commerce and a number of the artists he had admired with the fascinating recommendation to Ugly Sisters within the iconic ticket tearing scene to” simply stand nonetheless” to have the very best impact. The interview is offered to view on Home – The UK Pantomime Association. Ellacott, Walker and Baker are joined by Goldilocks, and Tamara Morgan for a staple of Crossroads exhibits, “if I was not upon the stage” which is delivered with well-rehearsed chaos and baggage of power.The three bears are virtually simply walk-on elements (waddle on with the big costumes) for Nova Skipp and James Paterson, however Lucy Conley (the nice pantomime comedian Brian Conley’s daughter) does get to be the star of the present in a forty second Street faucet routine. The major plot level is Countess Von Winklebottom’s (Jessica Martin) want to seize the speaking bears for her rival circus in a task that might have been expanded to attract extra on her skills.
The present advantages vastly from the funding within the Palladium manufacturing with its glorious brightly colored units and built-in lights that completely seize the circus ambiance and a few fantastic costumes for the sturdy Ensemble of six.This will not be as acquainted a title because the traditional Pantomimes and has fewer iconic plot factors to construct a narrative round however within the palms of this high quality forged with an emphasis on comedy and selection, it is a wonderful entertaining present that could be a good Christmas outing for all of the household. Is it Pantomime? Oh sure, it’s, and an excellent one too.
Review by Nick Wayne
Rating: ★★★★
Seat: Circle, Row B | Price of Ticket: £42.50