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The next Full Moon occurs on Tuesday, August 24, 2010.

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[from the Derby Evening Telegraph thanks to Chris Rankin Online]

PUTTING THE SLICK BACK INTO PANTO
by Ashley Franklin.

With the Playhouse winter show being several bells short of a full festive peal, there's a greater onus on the Assembly Rooms providing a yule-tide show for the whole family.

I'm pleased to say that this is a slicker, leaner and more story-led show than last year's Aladdin.

It's a keenly traditional pantomime feast which has all the expected trimmings - oh yes it has!! - although as the wicked Queen, Coronation Street actress Sherrie Hewson, triumphantly defied tradition for this male grown-up: I found her more fanciable than frightening.

She's a rich cream Sherrie who clearly relished her evil outpourings, as did her vile sniveling sidekick Percy, played by Chris Rankin, who also plays another Percy, in the Harry Potter movies.

Lionel Blair is a super old trouper, belying his years with a nimble set of entertaining turns, where his enjoyment is evident.

I particularly enjoyed John Brenner as Dame Dolly Dumpling, full of infectious fun, good gags (some even fresh!) and fetching bloomers. Love the teapot hat, darling.

Being a commercial panto meant there was a 'turn' that had "nowt" to do with the story - Delia Du Sol's balletic contortion act.

There are teething problems to sort: microphone glitches, a UV sequence that needs to be darker, a lost cue and a late entrance at the wedding of Snow White - played by Anna Kuble - to which Lionel filled with a lovely "perhaps she's changed her mind"

A bit more spontaneity like that is needed: as a Prince, Jay Marcus confessed he didn't know the name of the girl he'd just met, at which a score of kids loudly told him, though he failed to react. Overall the kids reacted with, at times, screaming delight. For young Jack, it was his first panto. "I just loved it" he declared with a beaming smile.

Published December 28, 2004

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