Pantomime Review: Sleeping Beauty - St. Helens Theatre Royal, St. Helens

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St. Helens Theatre Royal

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Format: Pantomime
Genre: Comedy
Date: October 22 2017
Location: St. Helens Theatre Royal

Pantomimes have increased in number over the last few years. From the usual Christmas tradition, we have been treated to Easter offerings, and now we have another pantomime just in time for Halloween.

Mind you, though there are some ghostly scenes, Sleeping Beauty is all about entertainment and fairy tale-esque magic, bringing smiles to children's faces while eliciting huge laughs from the adults. The great pantos do this seamlessly, and Sleeping Beauty at St. Helens Theatre Royal does a fine job of pulling this off to the point where, by the end, you're left with a positive impression on the characters and the show as a whole.

It did take a bit of time to get going, with the crowd being unusually quiet during the early scenes, but it soon kicked into high gear with the brilliant Tam Ryan, who played Chester The Jester. Many of his lines resulted in big laughs, and his scenes (such as a daft moment where he and the Dame, played by Simon Foster, were preparing edible treats for Princess Aurora's birthday celebration) were the highlights of the show. He was also great at ad-libbing and thinking on his feet during unexpected moments, the funniest being when the Dame's skirt accidentally fell off (fortunately, she/he was covered up to avoid blinding the audience!).

Laura Gregory played her role as the Princess well; Corey Rumble as the Prince was not involved as much as people may have expected, though. Claire Sweeney as Carabosse and Warren Donnelly as the King made up a strong cast (and you can read an interview from those two about this show by clicking here). Elsewhere, the settings were stunning, with great attention to detail (such as chandelier lights using a crown-shaped frame within the palace), and the use of ghosts and similarly scary creatures within the "spooky" tower gave this show more of a Halloween-esque feel than you would normally expect. There was also a varied soundtrack throughout the show, as well as performances of some recognisable numbers such as Kool & The Gang's Celebration.

Perhaps the funniest aspect of the show came towards the end, when a number of children were invited for some audience participation with prizes at stake. There's an old saying in show business about the unpredictability of working with children, and that thought popped up watching this part of the performance as the kids stole the show with hilariously high-pitched laughs, amusing answers and a feeling of independence when running around on stage. Chester played up to this brilliantly in his one way, making this the most memorable scene of the whole evening. The adults found this to be uproarious, as they did during other scenes where the "risqué" element of pantomime was taken as far as I've ever seen.

On the downside, there were a couple of issues with the special effects, as the pyrotechnics often left an unnecessarily strong smoky scent in the air, and the lighting was muddled in the closing scene of the first half. I also expected the show as a whole to last a little longer, and the story wasn't quite as strong as it could have been, mostly revolving around the showdown between Carabosse and the Prince, which seemed a little rushed. But the kids were delighted with the show as a whole, which is always the most important thing.

So, if you're looking for somewhere to take the kids this half-term, or even if you're an adult who is looking for a fun day out, then Sleeping Beauty is a terrific option to deliver a lot of laughs for all of the family.

Overall Rating: 8/10 - Very Good

Joe to play Joseph: X Factor champ dons coat of many colours at St Helens Theatre Royal

Joe McElderry

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: St Helens Theatre Royal

X Factor winner Joe McElderry will put on the dazzling coat of many colours as he steps into the title role of the UK’s longest-running musical Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at St Helens Theatre Royal in February 2016.

Joe was just 18 when he won the sixth series of The X Factor having been mentored by Girls Aloud star Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and beating off fierce competition from Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon.

He then soared to number one on the UK Singles Charts with his rendition of Miley Cyrus’s The Climb and his debut album Wide Awake went straight in at number three on the UK Albums Chart. He has since gone on to have two more top ten albums, and he became the first X Factor star to release four albums, with a fifth in the making.

Joe, who hails from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, is also the first and only celebrity to win three reality TV shows! He was crowned the winner of the second series of ITV’s Popstar to Operastar before strapping on his skis and slaloming his way to become champion of Channel 4’s celebrity ski competition The Jump last year!

Joseph marks Joe’s first major theatrical appearance following a one-off West End gala performance as the lead in The Who's Tommy in 2012.

Having garnered sensational reviews and standing ovations at every performance since its inception almost 35 years ago, Bill Kenwright’s Amazing’, ‘Superb’, ‘Wonderful’ and ‘Brilliant’ production of this sparkling family musical has now sold an estimated 20 million tickets.

This vibrant and exciting retelling of the biblical story about Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours sings out to young and old alike with a score which is crammed wall to wall with hits, including Jacob and Sons, Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do.

The show is presented by Bill Kenwright by special arrangement with the Really Useful Group – lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Chantelle Nolan, manager of St Helens Theatre Royal, commented: “Following the success of Blood Brothers, we are absolutely thrilled to present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and are sure Joe McElderry will be perfect for the role of Joseph.”

For more information, please visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

St Helens gets a new local as Regal Entertainments presents The Ale House

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: St Helens Theatre Royal

St Helens has got a brand new local as The Ale House opens its doors at the Theatre Royal this October.

This hilariously rowdy comedy from the writers of Night Collar is brought to audiences by Regal Entertainments from Tuesday October 6 to Saturday October 10.

Every local has its regulars and those who prop up the bar at the Ale House will have audiences laughing in the aisles, or rather their bar stools, as the events unfold at this tavern.

Featuring a stellar cast with some of the region’s finest talent including Lindzi Germain (Sex and the Suburbs and Hitchhikers Guide to Fazakerley) as the brassy landlady who takes no messing, George Wilson (Grange Hill and Brookside) as Kick Off, Philip Olivier (Brookside and Benidorm) as Yogi and Jake Abrahams (Twopence to Cross the Mersey and Council Depot Blues) as Trevor.

After directing the smash-hit sell out show Rita, Sue and Bob Too earlier this year, Theatre Royal favourite Sylvie Gatrill returns to direct the production.

There will be raucous laughs from the first pint pulled, from the WWII pensioner still recovering from shell shock, to the not-so-holy priest on a mission to find who desecrated his garden, to the landlady eyeing up one of the customers.

One wrong move and you’re barred, although that won’t stop the visitors to this watering hole causing all kinds of drunk and disorderly mayhem before the barrels are empty!

Chantelle Nolan, theatre manager, commented: “I am thrilled to be bringing The Ale House to the Theatre Royal, as soon as I read the script I knew our audiences would love it. We have a fantastic cast in the production and I am excited to be welcoming Sylvie back to direct the show. After the huge success we have seen with Rita, Sue and Bob Too and The Last of the Red Hot Lovers this is the perfect production to continue Regal Entertainments long line of hilarious comedies and I am certain that audiences of St Helens will have a barrel of laughs.”

Be sure to catch it before ‘last orders’!

For more information, visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

Hilarity ensues as The 39 Steps comes to St Helens Theatre Royal next week

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: St Helens Theatre Royal

Theatre company also announce workshop opportunity

Four actors and fifty characters in 100 hilarious minutes as Northern Comedy Theatre presents this very British, laugh-out loud, Olivier Award-winning comedy The 39 Steps based on the classic Hitchcock film. Murder has never been this funny. Suitable for all ages and coming exclusively to St Helens Theatre Royal on Monday July 27 and Tuesday July 28.

This wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy thriller features four of St Helens’ finest born and bred talent, all of whom are no strangers to performing on the Theatre Royal Stage including Theatre Royal’s very own workshop-trained Benjamin Engelen who starred in Regal Entertainments 2013’s smash hit production of Bouncers: The Remix and in Liverpool Empire’s 2014 Christmas panto Aladdin.

Starring alongside Benjamin is Harry Moore who audiences will recognise from Sky 1’s Little Crackers as well as countless Theatre Royal shows including 2013’s Peter Pan.

Multi-talented actress, dancer and opera singer Kathryn Chambers (Alan Ayckbourn’s Seasons Greetings) will show off her skills as she portrays the three different love interests throughout the show.

The object of Kathryn’s affections will be aimed towards Tom Platt (Cabaret, St Helens Theatre Royal’s production of Ciggie Run, West End production of The Play That Goes Wrong and UK Tour of Peter Pan Goes Wrong) who leads the cast as Richard Hannay and also co-produces the show.

Follow the incredible adventures of the handsome hero Richard Hannay, complete with stiff-upper-lip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents, and, of course, devastatingly beautiful women.

Northern Comedy Theatre are also delighted to announce an exciting opportunity for 13-16 year olds to take part in a workshop from theatre professionals on Tuesday July 28. Budding young thespians will receive first-hand experience in comedy, improvisation, physicality and characterisation in a fun environment. The workshop costs £20, which also includes a ticket to The 39 Steps on either Monday July 27 or Tuesday July 28.

To book a place on the workshop, email your name, age and contact number to 39stepsworkshop@gmail.com.

For more information, visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

Let’s Hang On returns to St Helens this June

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: St Helens Theatre Royal

St Helens Theatre Royal is pleased to announce the award winning production Let’s Hang On will be returning for one night only, taking audiences through the journey of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons career on Saturday June 13.

After their unrivalled performance last summer, Let’s Hang on returns to St Helens Theatre Royal by popular demand with hits that have featured in cult films such as Grease, Dirty Dancing and The Deer Hunter. It is easy to name drop big 60s chart stars such as The Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys but as their repertoire proves, The Four Seasons are still held in the highest regard.

Dino Buttarazzi, Martin Peat, Scott Walker, Jay Harrison and Robin Maughan (who scales the falsetto heights previously set by Frankie Valli with remarkable ease) truly capture the vivacious spirit of The Four Seasons. The performance reflects on the decades creating an electric atmosphere and a musical masterpiece to be enjoyed by all.

From the beginning in the early 50’s when Frankie first joined the group, the show takes you through hits such as December ’63 (Oh What A Night!), Beggin’, Sherry, Bye Bye Baby, Walk Like A Man, Grease, Rag Doll, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back To You, Big Girls Don’t Cry, and many more, climaxing with a spectacular finale of, of course, Let’s Hang On!

Having only last year performed at the Royal Albert Hall for Frankie Valli himself, Let’s Hang On are undoubtedly one of the most authentic touring acts on the circuit and continue to prove they’re in a class of their own!

Let’s Hang On will be touring around most cities in the UK, which includes St Helens this June!

For more information, visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com or www.letshangon.co.uk.

Four St Helens Stars ‘Step’ Back On To Theatre Royal Stage

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: St Helens Theatre Royal

Northern Comedy Theatre presents a local production of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller, The 39 Steps which has been brilliantly and hilariously recreated for the stage.

The smash hit Olivier Award Winning Comedy comes to St Helens Theatre Royal for three performances on Monday July 27 and Tuesday July 28.

This wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy thriller features four of St Helens’ finest born and bred talent, all of whom are no strangers to performing on the Theatre Royal Stage, including Theatre Royal’s very own workshop-trained Benjamin Engelen who starred in Regal Entertainments 2013’s smash hit production of Bouncers: The Remix and in Liverpool Empire’s 2014 Christmas panto Aladdin.

Starring alongside Benjamin is Harry Moore, who audiences will recognise from Sky 1’s Little Crackers as well as countless Theatre Royal shows including 2013’s Peter Pan.

Multi-talented actress, dancer and opera Singer Kathryn Chambers (Alan Ayckbourn’s Seasons Greetings) will show off her skills as she portrays the three different love interests throughout the show.

The object of Kathryn’s affections will be aimed towards Tom Platt (Cabaret, St Helens Theatre Royal’s production of Ciggie Run, West End production of The Play That Goes Wrong and UK Tour of Peter Pan Goes Wrong) who leads the cast as Richard Hannay and also co-produces the show.

Follow the incredible adventures of the handsome hero Richard Hannay, complete with stiff-upper-lip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents, and, of course, devastatingly beautiful women.

The four fearless actors play an incredible 50 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action in a show that is fun for the whole family.

It would be criminal to miss this witty and clever crime-caper, so book your tickets before they all disappear!

For more information, visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

The Drifters come to St Helens Theatre Royal this May as part of their Rebranded Tour

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: St Helens Theatre Royal

Prism Music Group is pleased to announce that the legacy continues as The Drifters are back with their Rebranded Tour which visits St Helens Theatre Royal for one night only on Friday May 22.

Over 65 members in 62 years the legacy continues with the current line-up. After their unrivalled success on previous world tours they are back with The Rebranded Tour that is the best yet. The Drifters have seen massive chart success on both sides of the Atlantic and across the world, with over 114 million album sales and 214 million singles sales and a vast catalogue of hits, now in their 61st year the dynasty continues. The current line-up have rebranded the Drifters brand with new releases on both of their former labels Atlantic Records 2009 and Sony Music 2011.

Billed as the Rebranded Tour, the concert reflects on the brand through the decades with a two hour show of wall to wall hits and some lesser known back catalogue songs, all a part of the legacy of hits handed down over the years. In this extravaganza of musical celebration with amazing lighting show and a world-class band, a night of pure excellence will be enjoyed by all!

The concert features over 37 original tracks including Under The Boardwalk, Saturday Night At The Movies, Up On The Roof, Kissin In The Back Row, Down on the Beach, More Than A Number In My Little Red Book and some very popular new songs from their recent album ‘La Vie et La’amour’

The world tour runs through to the end of the year with dates in most cities across the UK, which includes St Helens this May!

For more information, visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com or www.theofficialdrifters.com.