Edward Scissorhands

Review by Paul Towers, 14/12/23

Edward Scissorhands original story by Tim Burton, devised and choreographed by Matthew Bourne

Directed by Matthew Bourne

Produced by New Adventures

At Sadlers Wells til 20 January 2024

“a glorious love story”

Tim Burton’s Gothic romance has been given the Matthew Bourne treatment and has resulted in a glorious love story of how an outsider can be accepted.

Seemingly set in the pastel hued 1950’s an Avon lady comes across Edward Scissorhands in a ruined castle. He has no hands as his Maker, the owner of the castle, died before he could finish manufacturing him thus leaving him with several pairs of scissors on the end of his arms. Peg Boggs, the Avon Lady, takes Edward home and looks after him while trying to integrate him into the neighbourhood.

Using the original soundtrack of the film by Danny Elfman and additional music by Terry Davis Matthew Bourne has fashioned a story that will warm your festive heart.

The set by Lez Brotherston is imaginative and versatile while the lighting by Howard Harrison ensures you see the best of everything.

The matinée I saw was danced by Stephen Murray as Edward who reminded me of a cross between Charlie Chaplin and C3PO with lots of pathos and comedy. The finale is especially emotional as the snow falls on the stalls.

While Edward Scissorhands is on at Sadlers Wells til 20 January the production is touring afterwards.

 

www.new-adventures.net/edward-scissorhands#overview

www.ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk

 

Jack and the Beanstalk

 

Review by Paul Towers, 16/12/23

Jack and the Beanstalk by Eric Potts

Directed by Janice Dunn

Produced by Imagine Theatre

At DeMontfort Hall til Sunday 7^th January 2024

“a magical world of wonder for children of all ages”

Once again Imagine Theatre has provided us with a spectacular pantomime at Leicester’s DeMontfort Hall. Returning again are local favourites Sam Bailey and Jarred Christmas. This year they are joined by Jack Ballard, a very worthy replacement for panto stalwart Martin Ballard (and yes, they are related. Son and father). Making his pantomime debut is Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills as Mayor Mills.

Jack and the Beanstalk is a wonderful family-friendly show full of songs, dancing and comedy. It also has some great special effects.

The story, such as it is, follows Jack Trott (90’s pop band A1’s Mark Read) as he returns from his travels penniless and hoping that his late father, the miller, has left him money. To the dismay of his mother, Dame Trott (Jack Ballard having huge fun with the role) the house and mill are up to their ears in debt to Giant Blunderthwaite (Thomas Brackley in an astonishing costume/animatronic standing more than 10 feet tall). The Giant’s henchman, appropriately named Fleshcreep (a very hissable baddie played with relish by Mark Beauchamp), is tasked with collecting the debt. Jack, intent on marrying his childhood sweetheart Jill Mills, the Mayor’s daughter (Christina Harris), vows to clear the debt by selling the family’s much loved cow, Buttercup. Unfortunately he ends up with worthless beans but they do turn out to be magic beans and grow up to the Giant’s lair. So, with Lazy Larry (Jarred Christmas returning to Leicester to play the fool) the family set out to slay the Giant and put everything right.

Popping up regularly is Fairy Flutterby (local singing sensation Sam Bailey) who pushes the narrative along. This year she seems to have a more prominent role, much to the delight of the audience.

The main cast are very well supported by a talented ensemble of six singers and dancers as well as alternating teams of eight local youngsters choreographed by Aaron Renfree. The hilarious locally referenced script by panto maestro Eric Potts hits all the right notes while director Janice Dunn has created a magical world of wonder for children of all ages.

Jack and the Beanstalk runs at DeMontfort Hall until Sunday 7^th January 2024

Pics – Paul Clapp for Limelight Photography

www.demontforthall.co.uk

www.ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk

 

Puss In Boots

 

Review by Paul Towers, 15/12/23

Puss In Boots

Directed by John Bale

Produced by Leicester Drama Society

At The Little Theatre til Saturday Sunday 7^th January 2024

“A most traditional of pantomimes”

This year’s Little Theatre pantomime is the most traditional of pantomimes, Puss In Boots.

Written by director and star John Bale this is the story of Tom (Simon Butler), the late miller’s son, returning penniless from his travels to, hopefully, claim his inheritance and marry his childhood sweetheart, Princess Lilly (Alice Marshall). Unfortunately the evil landlord Malavort (a splendidly camp Joe Middleton) puts a dampener on things by suddenly calling in the miller’s huge loans and leaving the family without anything. Tom’s younger brother Silly Billy (a wonderfully energetic Abdullah Henly) tries to help but, of course, only makes things worse.

As Queen Camilla John Bale’s Dame indulges his imagination with an every more outrageous selection of frocks alongside his sidekick Chamberlain Fusspot (a wonderfully comedic Russell Webster) who break each other up when they wander off script. Of course panto wouldn’t be panto without a Good Fairy and Natasha Ann-Carr’s Spirit of Cat-Land fills in the narrative gaps while the titular Puss in Boots is thigh slappingly played by Rose Bale.

All the elements of the best pantomimes are here, lots of audience participation, glittering costumes and awful puns. What’s not to like?

To fill out the scenes there are a bevy of eight dancers and singers who perform the many shoe-horned in old and new pop songs, as is traditional. The opening night was full to the brim with over-excited youngsters and parents.

The sets designed by Jacob Martin are very professional, as are the extraordinary costumes overseen by Mr Bale.

Puss In Boots is at The Little Theatre until Sunday 7^th January

Pics: Dave Morris

www.thelittletheatre.co.uk

www.ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk