This reviewer entered the theatre with some trepidation, not really knowing what to expect of a show billed as an ‘adult panto’ along with being somewhat concerned if it would even be entertaining but I was very pleasantly surprised.
Writer Kevin Fearon has turned the traditional story of Dick Whittington on its head and created a tale of Scouse madness; instead of Dick travelling to London where the streets are paved with gold, hero Dick Head aspires to be mayor of Liverpool where the streets are paved with chewing gum.
The opening song sets the scene of this panto for grown-ups with the cast performing ‘Let’s Get Ready To Rumble’ and numerous ‘Dick’ jokes follow along with plenty of Liverpool-style innuendo and near-to-the-knuckle japes and swearing.
Numerous hit rock songs from the '80s litter the show with the backing of the theatre's live band featuring Ben Gladwin on keyboard, Greg Joy on drums and Chris Nicholls and Mike Woodvine on guitars; all additionally providing excellent vocal backing with musical direction superbly provided from Howard Gray.
Director Mark Chatterton has pulled together a group of elite performers who work marvellously as a team and individually helping to make this performance an unparalleled success. All cast members are equally proficient in their roles and execute them with maximum credibility and with excellent aplomb.
Established performer Andrew Scholfield excellently portrays King Rat, whilst also taking on various other personas brilliantly. Lindzi Germain is made for panto; she is ideal as Holly Head and Mrs Mozart; her lung capacity is overwhelming, and her vocal reaches are exceptional plus her comedy timing is superb. Liam Tobin (Bradley Fitzwarren, Mozart) is outstanding, and Adam McCoy (Dick Head) excels as does Hayley Sheen (Alice), their vocals are outstanding, and they are a perfect match to play the young loved-up couple. Jamie Clarke as Cat and Emma-Grace Arends, Emma Bispham and Paige Fenlon who play The Ratettes are wonderful additions to the plot, Fenlon also plays Fairy effortlessly.
The stage is set with a giant Advent calendar backdrop utilising doors which the cast can open and pop out of delivering one-liners, along with a revolving stage turntable which is made full use of. Set and costume design is by Olivia du Monceau, lighting design by Ian Scott, choreography by Lucy Thatcher, sound design by Kate Harvey and the audio and visual system is by Jamie Jenkin.
It wouldn’t be a panto if audience participation wasn’t included and the audience are encouraged to join in and at times sing along to the magnificent array of '80’s hit songs included in the show, many of them rock tear-jerkers.
The plot is funnily obtuse but works wonderfully providing laughs galore including lots of home-grown Liverpool colloquialisms and the cast naming local landmarks. It’s difficult to provide more details without giving away a lot of the truly hilarious parts of the show which will spoil it for those wishing to attend but it is brilliant madcap mayhem at its best.
The show follows the success of previous shows from writer Fearon and musical director Gray of The Scouse Cinderella, The Scouse Snow White and The Scouse Jack & The Beanstalk and is billed as ‘The World famous, record breaking, eye popping, lung busting, side splitting, knee trembling Royal Court Christmas show’ and to be honest it is.
The show runs until 20th January 2024.
Age advisory 16+. Children under 12 are not allowed into the show.
Reviewer - Anne Pritchard
on - 15.11.23
Reviewer - Anne Pritchard
on - 15.11.23
Go to royal court every year for their panto ,disappointing this year said all 8 of us tooo many dick jokes so not much story ,more music this year ,felt like a kids production apart from the adult innuendos, looked forward to this all year not sure if to go again sad 😢
ReplyDeleteI was disappointed with this year's panto weak storyline and music too loud. The whole cast worked hard but it lacked cohesion
ReplyDeleteAgree with both these comments. Come on script writers these actors and singers deserve better.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with the above
ReplyDelete