THERE’S no business like panto business and, after three years of no go, this peculiar, uniquely-British form of festive theatre has returned with attitude to Salisbury Playhouse.
After last year’s smaller offering (thrown together after more than a year of covid closures), the theatre’s talented writing team of Clare Plested, Adam Brown and Amanda Wilsher have worked their magic and brought the timeless classic Cinderella right bang into the present day.
In this year’s production, you can expect a riot of colour, a plethora of contemporary tunes and a tsunami of smut – as well as a possible light soaking (depending on where you are sitting).
Cinderella has ambition and a book of her own inventions, the ugly sisters are wannabe Kardashians and social media influencers, the Prince’s ‘lovely jubbly’ equerry Deldini is a bit of a geezer who likes to pick up a girl in Wetherspoons and whisk her round to Greggs, while Cinders’ stepmum, Lady Stella, well…she just wants a fella!
Director Gareth Machin makes sure there is plenty of the usual knockabout panto fun and belly laughs – mainly from Daniel Goode’s panto dame Lady Stella Hardup and Alex Crandon – in Del Boy Trotter mode – as Deldini.
Endearing Jasmine Triadi brings a bit of attitude to Cinderella as well as a beautiful voice, while the handsome Prince, played by George Olney, has the dance moves. Bringing all the magic, Jade Johnson is sparkling as the real hero Fairy Showbiz. Ugly sisters Hashtag (Lucy Aiston) and Viral (Fergie Fraser) bring a high school bully vibe to their sociopathic, Instagram-obsessed characters.
Not forgetting, of course, the talented onstage swing dancers and adorable young ensemble who fill in all the gaps.
As reported in this newspaper last month, the Playhouse has suffered a huge loss of revenue since the pandemic, with warnings to the public to use it or lose it. There is no better time to show support for your local theatre. I urge anyone who can to make a trip to the panto, I’m pretty sure you won’t regret it – oh no you won't!
From the bold stage design to the superb singing, the production sparkles from start to finish and will warm the young, and the young-at-heart right through until January 8 – oh yes it will!
Why not consider the gift of theatre tickets this Christmas? For tickets and enquiries visit wiltshirecreative.co.uk or telephone 01722 320333.
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