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Post by Mark on Dec 10, 2019 12:40:55 GMT
I got a last minute £20 single in the stalls for the matinee today. Can’t wait, have only seen Dick Whittington from the run of recent pantos so looking forward to another.
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5,269 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 10, 2019 21:23:55 GMT
He can’t be the ‘number one reviewer’ in the country- I have never heard of him..!
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4,555 posts
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Post by Mark on Dec 10, 2019 22:12:22 GMT
Well this was bloody good! Plenty of “Ring” and “Big Top” jokes from Mr Clarey as to be expected. The costumes are ridiculously over the top. I’m not someone who sees a lot of panto, the last one was Dick Whittington at the Palladium. This one seemed a lot more “story driven” than that one. Very impressed with Matt Baker! Magician and Sophie great together in a scene in act two. I really enjoyed it! Great fun.
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Post by xanady on Dec 10, 2019 22:12:32 GMT
^Yes,Dr Tom,you are absolutely correct because I hear that Brum Hippodrome is getting the London Pall Goldilocks next Christmas with the Hippo’s perennial resident panto funnyman,Matt Slack,once again on board.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2019 23:36:37 GMT
I'm really looking forward to this on Saturday, especially to hear Gary Wilmott's big patter number this year, especially now i know what its about this year! I'd love to know how long it takes him to write them.
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1,936 posts
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Post by wickedgrin on Dec 11, 2019 0:22:16 GMT
Let's clear one thing up straight away - this isn't a pantomime. There is no plot, no "it's behind you", "oh no it isn't", no ghost gags, nothing for the children, no song sheet, which is just as well as there were very few children in the audience on Tuesday afternoon.
It's an adult variety show.
So depending on what view you take depends how you rate it.
Having seen the previous three shows Cinderella, Dick Whittington and Snow White I felt I had seen this show before and the gags are wearing thin. Some non scripted line drops and some clunky transitions - but no doubt these will be cleaned up. The packed house loved it and so why change a winning formula.
It is TRULY spectacular with FABULOUS costumes and a great fixed set (no changes apart from a few cloths flown in) and spectacular lighting and pyro effects.
Great circus speciality acts too - although the motor bikes in the dome of speed/death was too nerve shredding for me to be included.
The cast give their usual schtick. Julian wearing ever more outrageous costumes and delivering even more outrageous gags! Paul Zerdin is clever but we've seen it all before and I felt very sorry for Nigel Havers, Janine Duvitski and Lauren Stroud as Daddy, Mummy and Baby Bear respectively in huge fur outfits throughout - unrecognisable until they spoke. Poor Sophie Isaacs as Goldilocks has very little to do apart from be a magicians assistant but has a terrific voice in her one number in the second act. In fact the female cast are very poorly served in this production.
The stars of the show for me were the wonderful Gary Wilmot - lovely and warm as the Dame with a terrific musical theatre song in the second act although not topping his London Underground song a couple of years ago. The surprise for me was a wonderful performance from Matt Baker - who genuinely looked thrilled to be there with some amazing circus skills - uni-cycling, juggling, back flipping and a high wire walk (he would make a terrific Barnum) with a real winning personality.
It ran 2 hours 35 minutes including a 20 minute interval.
4 stars as a spectacular Christmas variety extravaganza, 2 stars as a pantomime.
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515 posts
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Post by callum on Dec 11, 2019 10:48:50 GMT
Thanks for your review. Interesting that from all of the reactions I’ve seen, not many people are mentioning O’Grady. Is it just the same old form him?
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1,936 posts
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Post by wickedgrin on Dec 11, 2019 11:49:43 GMT
Thanks for your review. Interesting that from all of the reactions I’ve seen, not many people are mentioning O’Grady. Is it just the same old form him? Yes, he plays the wicked ring master and is lumbered initially with a cod German accent which fortunately he soon abandons for his usual Scouse. I think you would enjoy this show if you had never seen a Palladium panto previously - he's fine but I felt I had seen it all before when he played the wicked step mother in Cinderella.
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3,059 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 11, 2019 23:18:21 GMT
Well that has to have been the funniest thing I’ve seen all year!
Perfect seat, front row aisle at the side, still avoided being picked on or covered with anything wet!
It is a long show, but doesn’t feel long, finished about 10:20pm. Did start a few minutes late as we were queued around the corner to get in. There are lots of ad-libs, but I suspect many aren’t ad-libs. Paul O’Grady told some long great stories that I’m surprised no one picked up on, switching from nice to nasty just like that. And Julian had the best jokes and the best costumes, including an excellent sequence with Sophie Isaacs talking about theatre schools.
This really is a perfect show for a touring pantomime to takr to big venues. It’s a circus so there are gaps to put whatever variety acts you want in. I’m not really into the danger acts, but these ones worked. There was an excellent magician using fire and doves (only slight downside of the front row is being able to see the wires).
This was really one for the musical theatre devotees. References throughout, including by Gary Wilmot, lots of song parodies, plenty from Barnum as you’d expect. Another highlight, a 42nd Street medley, complete with fantastic costumes. There is classic panto slapstick in there too and some really elaborate props and set pieces. This will definitely go on to a major venue next year.
It is all incredibly crude and yes, a load of jokes are the same as last year, but there were next to no children in and this is definitely for the adults. If Nigel Havers can get the crowd in uproar just by swinging his belly, what more do you want?
And a bonus? It was opening night so the house was swarming with celebrities. I’m not great at matching names and faces so there were a lot of people I recognised but couldn’t think from where. And many I recognised. Yes, even the Krankies!
Do go! It’s Fandabidozi!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2019 23:39:13 GMT
Well that has to have been the funniest thing I’ve seen all year! Perfect seat, front row aisle at the side, still avoided being picked on or covered with anything wet! It is a long show, but doesn’t feel long, finished about 10:20pm. Did start a few minutes late as we were queued around the corner to get in. There are lots of ad-libs, but I suspect many aren’t ad-libs. Paul O’Grady told some long great stories that I’m surprised no one picked up on, switching from nice to nasty just like that. And Julian had the best jokes and the best costumes, including an excellent sequence with Sophie Isaacs talking about theatre schools. This really is a perfect show for a touring pantomime to takr to big venues. It’s a circus so there are gaps to put whatever variety acts you want in. I’m not really into the danger acts, but these ones worked. There was an excellent magician using fire and doves (only slight downside of the front row is being able to see the wires). This was really one for the musical theatre devotees. References throughout, including by Gary Wilmot, lots of song parodies, plenty from Barnum as you’d expect. Another highlight, a 42nd Street medley, complete with fantastic costumes. There is classic panto slapstick in there too and some really elaborate props and set pieces. This will definitely go on to a major venue next year. It is all incredibly crude and yes, a load of jokes are the same as last year, but there were next to no children in and this is definitely for the adults. If Nigel Havers can get the crowd in uproar just by swinging his belly, what more do you want? And a bonus? It was opening night so the house was swarming with celebrities. I’m not great at matching names and faces so there were a lot of people I recognised but couldn’t think from where. And many I recognised. Yes, even the Krankies! Do go! It’s Fandabidozi! Well, you went on opening/press/gala night. Don't think I've ever seen a child at one of those. At least they have included a note at the bottom of the booking page on LW Theatres now.
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 11, 2019 23:52:50 GMT
I spotted two children, one with Vanessa Feltz.
But last year at a matinee there were hardly any children there either.
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Post by carmella1 on Dec 12, 2019 1:10:57 GMT
Its not meant for children. Sad.
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 12, 2019 8:43:49 GMT
Forgot to say how good Matt Baker is. His skills as a gymnast are really on show here, circus skills, tumbling and flipping and, of course, the big moment parodying Barnum at the end of Act 1 (he only took 3 attempts, better than Marcus Brigstocke). I'm sure he has a future career on stage if he wants it.
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5,269 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 12, 2019 9:59:24 GMT
This is the worst panto yet. The ‘script’ is woeful. Poor PAUL OGrady- want to see a comedian dying a slow death onstage- go see him in this.
The laziness of Michael Harrison to basically repeat the same old rubbish year after year is quite jaw dropping.
The only bright spots are Matt Baker, Paul Zerdin, and Julian Clary. Aren’t we all bored of the Nigel Havers Schtick and pretend corpsing?
Don’t give them your money.
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5,269 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 12, 2019 10:00:05 GMT
Forgot to say how good Matt Baker is. His skills as a gymnast are really on show here, circus skills, tumbling and flipping and, of course, the big moment parodying Barnum at the end of Act 1 (he only took 3 attempts, better than Marcus Brigstocke). I'm sure he has a future career on stage if he wants it. I agree- he is charming in this. And perhaps he is also hiding a decent singing voice? I’m sure I heard potential.
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Post by gra on Dec 12, 2019 13:27:01 GMT
Its not meant for children. Sad. Large school party at the performance yesterday afternoon. Apart from Julian Clary' s entendre, there is much in this year's pantomime that would be suitable and enjoyed by a family audience.
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Post by Sean on Dec 13, 2019 18:01:11 GMT
Saw this today. Really impressive and very enjoyable. A lot better than last year which I felt was a bit poor. Zerdin has finally dropped his old stuff and we get new material. Very little physical set but lighting and costumes are very impressive. Definitely recommend it.
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Post by justfran on Dec 13, 2019 19:03:04 GMT
Forgot to say how good Matt Baker is. His skills as a gymnast are really on show here, circus skills, tumbling and flipping and, of course, the big moment parodying Barnum at the end of Act 1 (he only took 3 attempts, better than Marcus Brigstocke). I'm sure he has a future career on stage if he wants it. I agree- he is charming in this. And perhaps he is also hiding a decent singing voice? I’m sure I heard potential. Matt Baker was the lead in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Sunderland Empire about 10 years ago and I seem to remember him being very good.
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Post by digipal on Dec 16, 2019 20:00:03 GMT
Went to yesterdays matinee show, first time I've been to a Palladium panto and I absolutely loved it. I went in with few expectations and roared with laughter throughout. I'm not a laugh-out-loud type of person however had tears of laughter at several points throughout. I loved that piece near the end where they're all singing a song at differant points with some slaptsick thrown in and Gary Wilmots theatre song megamix was great as well. Yes it's all rather bawdy in places however looked amazing especially lighting and Julian Clary's costumes were divine. Matt Baker was also a great surprise and walked his tightrope at the first attempt. Well worth going
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Post by djdan14 on Dec 16, 2019 20:25:35 GMT
Can someone advise on the pyro effects? Any loud bangs?
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Post by mhumphries on Dec 16, 2019 22:07:11 GMT
Can someone advise on the pyro effects? Any loud bangs? Only from the understudies dressing room...
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Dec 16, 2019 22:33:33 GMT
Went to yesterdays matinee show, first time I've been to a Palladium panto and I absolutely loved it. I went in with few expectations and roared with laughter throughout. I'm not a laugh-out-loud type of person however had tears of laughter at several points throughout. I loved that piece near the end where they're all singing a song at differant points with some slaptsick thrown in and Gary Wilmots theatre song megamix was great as well. Yes it's all rather bawdy in places however looked amazing especially lighting and Julian Clary's costumes were divine. Matt Baker was also a great surprise and walked his tightrope at the first attempt. Well worth going Totally agree, best Palladium panto yet by a country mile. We're going as a family after Christmas as we always do but I squeezed in an extra visit on a £149.50 reduced to £34 50 single ticket and so glad I did. That review linked earlier in this thread is just an ego tripping series of totally unfounded insults. Julian Clary is no smuttier than previous years and just makes the most of being cast as a Ringmaster called Ringo. The two children next to me aged about 11 and 13 seemed to understand more of his innuendo than might have been expected and were roaring with laughter along with their parents and everyone else. The speciality acts are awe-inspiring and Gary Wilmot's song is a masterpiece. Matt Baker would make a great Barnum or Bert in Mary Poppins when Charlie Stemp moves on: the whole cast bounce off each other and the pace doesn't slip for a minute. Five Star Wonderful.
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 16, 2019 23:38:58 GMT
Can someone advise on the pyro effects? Any loud bangs? Fire and lights rather than bangs, although enough to make you jump a little if you’re sat in the front row (said by someone who hates gunshots and explosions in shows).
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Post by Sean on Dec 17, 2019 12:25:08 GMT
Can someone advise on the pyro effects? Any loud bangs? Paul O'Grady's entrance is very loud, about 5 minutes into the show. It has fire, smoke and very loud sound effects. After that there isn't any overly loud bangs, it is just loud volume and fire. There are 4 motorbikes in act 2 so depending on what you consider loud, the combined noise of all 4 may be considered loud. As always with the palladium panto the overall volume of sound is very loud. It isn't a quite show.
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Post by appoul on Dec 17, 2019 18:59:30 GMT
I don't know how this happened but suddenly a single Royal Circle row D side seat appeared for 5th Januyary at only 22.50 pounds. I tried to make the booking but something went wrong with my card and had to start all over. The ticket was now at 32.50 but this time I managed to book it!!!
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Post by tommy123 on Dec 21, 2019 14:28:43 GMT
Currently at the Palladium...show scheduled to start in 2 minutes. House not yet open due to technical issues!
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Post by daniel on Dec 22, 2019 12:16:53 GMT
Paul O'Grady off today. Chris Howell in his place.
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 22, 2019 12:41:16 GMT
Paul O'Grady off today. Chris Howell in his place. I presumed he was the cover as he'd been posting on his Twitter. Glad he got the chance to go on. I wonder what they'll change to make the part make sense?
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Post by fiyero on Dec 22, 2019 22:53:48 GMT
Paul O'Grady off today. Chris Howell in his place. I presumed he was the cover as he'd been posting on his Twitter. Glad he got the chance to go on. I wonder what they'll change to make the part make sense? Any reports on how it went? After seeing it Saturday I wondered how hey would cope with an understudy for any of the leads or speciality acts. I guess playing up that it is an understudy is dangerous but most of the leads reference or have referenced who they really are during the show at some point.
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Post by basdfg on Dec 22, 2019 23:31:08 GMT
I presumed he was the cover as he'd been posting on his Twitter. Glad he got the chance to go on. I wonder what they'll change to make the part make sense? Any reports on how it went? After seeing it Saturday I wondered how hey would cope with an understudy for any of the leads or speciality acts. I guess playing up that it is an understudy is dangerous but most of the leads reference or have referenced who they really are during the show at some point. Is it announced pre -show or just a slip in the programe. Understudies were not mentioned in previous years programe
I wonder how the box office staff cope. I bet they get some abuse.
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