“IF you enjoyed this, tell everyone it was the best panto in the galaxy”, John Barrowman urged us at the end of Robin Hood, writes Patricia Carswell.
“And if you didn’t, tell them you saw it in Swansea”.
I’m happy to report that I did indeed see it in Cardiff, at the New Theatre. Though I can’t speak for the galaxy, it’s also safe to say that it was by far the best panto I’d ever seen.
I had wondered how it would appeal to the two boys I’d brought along. Panto veterans both, I’d half expected that, at the ripe old age of 11, they might be a bit jaded or – more likely – just too cool to throw themselves into it. I needn’t have worried.
Egged on by the irrepressible John Barrowman (a bit of Torchwood eye candy for the gleeful mums), they – and the whole audience – were whooping and whistling within moments of curtain up.
Barrowman – cheeky, effervescent and thoroughly dashing in the title role – was an inspired choice for pantomime and it’s no surprise that this is his fifth year of panto. With just the right amount of camp (not so much as to spoil the family fun but just enough to have the audience hooting and cheering at the men-in-tights innuendo), he danced, sang, laughed and flirted his way through a production that was as glitzy as it was traditional.
Though less well known, the supporting cast lived up to the Barrowman standard. A thrillingly busty Don Maclean (Crackerjack and Radio 2’s Good Morning Sunday) gave us a raucous Friar Tuck, soon ditching his monk’s habit in favour of an increasingly saucy succession of costumes, and Andy Jones made an endearing foil for Robin Hood in the form of the unlucky-in-love Will Scarlett.
A perfectly princessy Maid Marion (Emma Thornett) spent the evening escaping the clutches of her deliciously wicked uncle, the Sheriff of Nottingham, played by Pete Gallagher.
Best of all, in the unanimous opinion of my small charges, was the fabulous, Queen Latifah-like Jacqui Dubois as the witch Casandra – all sequins, curves and attitude.
This was a proper spectacular, with enough stardust, sparkle and Disney-style extravagance to enchant the young Marions in the audience, and plenty of swashbuckling, skulduggery and elaborate magic tricks to entertain the little merry men.
Packed full of local jokes and contemporary references (even slipping in an up-to-the-minute Tiger Woods gag), there was much to amuse the adults, too.
Tiny ones might be scared by the witch’s monster or overwhelmed by the flashes and fireworks, and might need to be reassured that Robin will be fine when… well, I don’t want to spoil it for you.
I didn’t spot any tears, though, and the toddler sitting next to me was delighted by the whole thing. Be warned, though. If you’re seated in the front two rows you’ll be in for a few surprises. Oh yes you will.
FACT BOX:
Robin Hood runs until January 24, 2010.
Tickets are priced from £8 to £24; concessions available at certain performances and are available from the New Theatre box office (029) 2087 8889) or online at www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk.
Leave plenty of time to park; the theatre is near the Cardiff Winter Wonderland so spaces are limited.
This post is part of the Have A Lovely Time 'Great British Panto' Review. Please consider a Christmas boost for a charity for children with cancer which does fantastic work but has very limited resources. You can do this by visiting our JustGiving page.
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- Great Panto Review 2009 Update: Bloggers unite in festive theatre campaign to boost children’s cancer charity
- Panto review: Aladdin at The Lichfield Garrick Theatre
- Panto review: Dick Whittington, Regent Theatre, Stoke on Trent
- Panto review: Cinderella, Milton Keynes Theatre
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