As always, Leeds City Varieties yearly over-the-top offering
was the perfect does of family fun that everyone needs this time of year. This year’s story, Dick Whittington, was a
little less well known than those of previous years, but full of laughs all the
same. (As the name might lead you to believe they really went all out with the jokes for the grown-ups in this one.)
For those who don’t know (we certainly didn’t) Dick Whittington is an English folklore tale in which young Richard moves from a poor country farm (In this case, Leeds) to the big city of London (late because of the train strikes, obviously) with his cat, Tabby. However, London is overrun with rats who are taking over the city, and kidnap the Mayor’s daughter – so in classic hero fashion, Dick and Tabby must save Alice, defeat the rats and be home in time for Dick to be crowned the new Mayor of London for his troubles.
One of the main reasons we were giddy to come back for another year was knowing that pantomime Dame extraordinaire Simon Nock was back on the billing as the silly, saucy Sarah the Cook. He completely made the panto for us last year, and definitely didn’t disappoint this time around. We didn’t think it was possible to top last year’s performance, but he absolutely wowed us – you can really tell that this is a man who absolutely loves what he does. Even though the audience seemed a little quiet to begin with, it was nothing but raucous laughter every time Nock hit the stage, and his improv and comedic timing hit the mark every single time. We know for definite that if he’s back next year, we will be too!
That’s not to say that the rest of the case weren’t incredible too – one of the most incredible aspects of a City Varieties pantomime is the live band there on stage, and the fact that the entire company is just so bloomin' talented. It’s one thing to play a guitar or a trumpet flawlessly, but to dive straight back into the acting too is a different skill level entirely! With classics like ‘Uptown Girl’ and ‘You’re The One That I Want’ it was impossible not to have a bit of a boogie – and of course, it’s not really a panto without a damsel in distress, all was not with their lost rendition of ‘Holding Out For A Hero’. Although not everything was pitch perfect, you never go into a pantomime expecting world class vocal performances, but there were definitely some more noteworthy. Big old baddy King Rat (Ben Stratton) was a surprising standout for me, with an absolute belter of a performance of ‘You Really Got Me’ – he made a brilliant baddy and got all the boos a panto villain could hope for. Lana Walker was absolutely stunning once again as our Fairy narrator, and Dick and Alice (Ben Mabberley and Claire Keenan) leads, were sickeningly adorable.
The panto at Leeds City Varieties Is always a hilarious
festive treat for the family, and in short, this year was no different. Expect
the same energy, tongue in cheek jokes and surprise water pistols as every
panto just has to have, and you won’t be disappointed. If you don’t come away
smiling, then you’ve gone to the wrong place!
Reviewer - Hazel Kaye
on - 1.12.22
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