REVIEW: The Sleeping Beauty by the Kings Langley Players ****

11:56am Tuesday 22nd January 2013

Festive spirit was in plentiful supply as the Kings Langley Players sung and danced their way into the New Year with this entertaining retelling of The Sleeping Beauty.

‘It’s the Dames’ King Lear’

Mother Goose is on at the Watford Palace Theatre

10:02am Thursday 20th December 2012

Watford Palace panto dame Terence Frisch, from Harrow, tells George Nott why he loves playing Mother Goose

Aladdin at the Alban Arena

Aladdin at the Alban Arena

10:30am Thursday 20th December 2012

WITH its fast-moving, well choreographed and brilliantly staged pantomime production of Aladdin, this year’s Christmas production at the Alban Arena should be set to break box office records. Quite simply, it’s brilliant  and keeps both adults and children engaged throughout two-and-a half-hours with plenty of booing, singing, laughing and even screaming. Husband and wife team Paul Hendy and Emily Wood, who head Evolution Productions, have certainly hit on a winning formula, staging pantomimes in many of the country’s best theatres since 2005. This is the third time Shaun Williamson has played the evil Abanazer for Evolution, a part which he (Shaun) plays quite gleefully, manfully taking the merciless Barry jokes. Shaun’s former EastEnders’ character Barry Evans, will haunt him forever it seems. But it was obvious he was enjoying his work, which is very infectious. He can sing too, as we discover with his Elvis impersonation number. The script is witty and moves along at great speed. One of my favourite jokes came in describing the Milletts sale, ‘now is the winter of their discount tents’. Shakespeare is another recurring theme as Abanazer has an ambition to be an ACTOR, don’t you know. Aladdin, was played with charm by Phil Gallagher, CBeebies’ Mister Maker, obviously a familiar, figure to children in the theatre. They loved his 12 Days of Christmas obligatory slapstick scene with PC Pongo (Bob Golding) and Widow Twankey (Sam Rabone). Super funky Genie of the Lamp (Nathaniel Morrison) was a treat for the ladeez in his 70s-style gold-lame jumpsuit and platforms boots. Kelly Chinery as the Spirit of the Ring was engagingly Essex-like and she and Jemma Carlisle as Princess Jasmine impressed with their singing ability. The standard of Aladdin as a whole is very high. There’s even a flying carpet special effect! Widow Twankey’s exotic costumes were a triumph and the most imaginative I have ever seen, thanks to set and costume designer Helga Wood. Special mention should be made of  the comic PC, played by Bob Golding and Stuart Nurse, who gave the Emporer of China authority, as they both live in St Albans and are delighted to be appearing on their home town stage.

It's panto time... oh yes it is!

Everyone's favourite monster, The Gruffalo, comes to artsdepot in North Finchley. (Photo credit Alastair Muir)

10:05am Thursday 29th November 2012

Traditional pantomimes and ones with a modern twist – Rosy Moorhead rounds up what's on this Christmas in Finchley, Potters Bar, Borehamwood and Barnet

A passion for pantomime

Samantha Hughes has starred in such West End hits as Blood Brothers and Me and My Girl

9:23am Thursday 13th December 2012

West End star Samantha Hughes talks to Rosy Moorhead about her role as Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at the Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar

Why Adam Woodyatt loves playing baddies

Adam Woodyatt stars as Captain Hook in Peter Ban at the Beck in Hayes

10:04am Thursday 13th December 2012

EastEnder Adam Woodyatt talks to Rosy Moorhead about playing Captain Hook in Peter Pan at the Beck Theatre in Hayes

There is nothing like a dame

10:09am Thursday 13th December 2012

Harrow man Peter Biggs brings a touch of the Caribbean to his dame in Dick Whittington at Harrow Arts Centre

Cinders with a twist

The Compass' production of Cinderella features magical animated scenery

10:15am Thursday 13th December 2012

Cinderella gets animated at this year's panto at the Compass Theatre in Ickenham

‘I take pantomime very seriously’

Peter Purves stars as Alderman Fitzwarren

11:29am Wednesday 12th December 2012

Former Blue Peter presenter Peter Purves talks show tactics with Rosy Moorhead ahead of his role in the Harpenden Public Halls panto Dick Whittington

"It's the Dame's King Lear!" - Watford Palace panto dame Terence Frisch on Mother Goose

Mother Goose is on at the Watford Palace Theatre

1:01pm Friday 7th December 2012

WHEN Terence Frisch steps out onto the Watford Palace stage tonight, he’ll be carrying the weight of more than a century of tradition on his shoulders – as well as a headpiece so wide he has to walk through doors sideways.

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