Just a few weeks to the BIG day and what better way to get into the Christmas mood than a rip-roaring fun- filled trip to the theatre for that very British of traditions – the annual trip to panto! So, with a keen love for festive fun in the theatre we headed off to the Grand Theatre in Blackpool, for this year’s production of Snow White, featuring the Wicked Queen, Su Pollard, Dan Whiston as the Prince, a very talented Millie Booth as Snow White and of course, Lancashire’s very own Steve Royle as Muddles (BBC Radio Lancashire presenter/TV Phoenix Nights) perhaps the real star of the show.
A three hour spectacular of brilliant song, dance, slapstick, audience participation galore flew by but the main ingredient was fun. Pantomime has the ability to lift your spirits and no matter what age, you get sucked into the atmosphere right from the off as you join in with the booing and hissing of the Wicked Queen without any hesitation. The familiar face of Steve Royle as Muddles bonding with the kids pulls the show together and his interaction with his ‘mum’, the flamboyant Nurse, Jamie Steen is a joy to behold. Support from the seven dwarfs (of course), the Barbara Jackson Theatre Arts Centre and a whole backroom of production staff bring this show together perfectly. It will no doubt be yet another spectacular success!
The highlights for us were a bolero sketch parodying the famous Torville and Dean routine and a hilarious Twelve Days of Christmas production featuring deckchairs, sticks of rock, kiss me quick hats that only Blackpool can warrant. As with any pantomime there’s a huge amount of audience interaction (oh yes there is!), squirting water, throwing sweets and plenty of noise, which is what pantomime is all about. In there, of course is the story itself of Snow White being hated by the Wicked Queen for her beauty and in the end, good overcomes evil as you’d expect.
A fantastic event and not one to be missed – kids of all ages will love it and well done to everyone concerned. It runs until Sunday 3rd January 2016. More Information.
Here’s a selection of must see Christmas shows and pantomimes across the county:
Beauty & The Beast – The Dukes, Lancaster until 2 January 2016
Pinocchio – Blackpool Tower Circus until 17 January 2016
A Christmas Carol – Opera House, Blackpool until 3 January 2016
Sleeping Beauty – Guild Hall & Charter Theatre, Preston until 3 January 2016
Christmas In Lancashire has all the information you need to make this festive season sparkle; from markets, fairs and festivals to wintry days out, special offers and seasonal deals – Lancashire has the season all wrapped up – with a ribbon on the top!
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