Rapunzel Reaches For The Stars!
Rapunzel
Newcastle People’s Theatre
Until
Sunday 14th December 2014
The show begins with Fairy
L’Oreal setting the scene , because she is worth it. The King & Queen of
Jesmond had a baby girl and through various magic spells they ended up losing
her to Mother Gothel. She is imprisoned in a tower so that Mother Gothel can
keep her youth. Will a prince come along to rescue her?
All of the essential ingredients
are here for an entertaining pantomime. The jokes, the songs, the dame, the
jester, the poor girl and the prince who wants to sweep her off her feet.
Each musical number was accompanied
by numerous young dancers in fantastic costumes. This had the effect of turning
many songs into bigger production numbers. The show even had its Riverdance
moment thanks to the quality input from the talented Clann Na nGael. Credit
must go to those behind the scenes for the lighting, sound and stage management
of such large numbers on stage.
Regular puns are necessary for
a classic panto and their delivery requires the actors to have the skills of a
stand up comedian. The bulk of the laughs landing on Steve Robertson, as the
panto dame Queen Sadie, and on the jester Jimmy Jangles. Craig Fairbairn was in
his element keeping the kids involved and ensuring the pace didn’t dip.
The evil characters know
that they’ve done well when they register a negative reaction at the curtain
call. Moira Gothel and Nathan Hussain did a great job as they left an impression
on the kids, without slowing the action, as did Mother Gothel and Jasper
respectively.
Anna Dobson has directed a
canny panto which is full of parochial references and isn’t afraid to have a
traditional sense of a variety show. Great musical numbers and amusing jokes ensure
that there is much to like.
This review was written by Stephen Oliver for
Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo,
Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook
www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo.
Photos by Paula Smart:
https://www.facebook.com/thejazzdevilphoto
Tickets:
2pm & 7pm – Saturdays
2pm – Sundays
7pm - weekdays (no
performance on Wed 10th)
Tickets £14/£11.50/Family
Ticket £46
Box Office: 0191 265 5020
Online:
www.peoplestheatre.co.uk
Cast
Fairy L'Oreal Sarah Scott
Mother Gothel Moira Valentine
Rapunzel Emma Jane Richards
Prince Flynn Joe Robson
Queen Sadie Steve Robertson
Jimmy Jangles Craig Fairbairn
Jasper Nathan Hussain
King Jack of Jesmond/Noggins/Foiggins/Boggins/Scroggins Roger Liddle
Tiddles Sands Dobson/Mark
Burden/Sally Cooper
Chorus Fiona Morris, Annabelle
Warwick, Annie Ranken, Nathan Tonks, Alex Carmichael, Olivia Marcella, Barbara
Edmundson, Sarah Thomas
Babes From Jill Errington
Dance School
Dancers from Newcastle High
School for Girls and Clann Na nGael
Production
Team
Director Anna Dobson
Musical Director James
& Hayley Russell
Choreographer Julie Bowman
Assistant Director Sean
Burnside
Wardrobe Dianne Edwards
and Team
Stage Manager Pamela Harris
Assistant Stage Managers Annaliese
Jane Bibby & Karen Dales
Lighting Designer Lisa
Harrison
Lighting Crew Karen Dales, Dave
Bailey, Izzy Waugh, Annaliese Jane Bibby, Ian Ross Willis, Scott Sweeting,
Emily Jeffery, Lauren Allison, Martin Collins, Vanessa Aiken, Rhiannon Wilson
Sound Designer Dave Bailey
Sound Crew Izzy Waugh
Set Designer Stuart Taylor
Set Builders Sands Dobson,
Joshua Gray, David Campbell, Ricky Harris
Set Painters Wendy Bennett,
Karen Dales, Anneliese Jane Bibby, Julie Bemment, Jenny Irvine, Ann Hood, Hazel
Mynard, Stuart Taylor, Pamela Harris
Flyman Dave Harvey
Props Wendy Bennett
Stage Crew Ricky Harris, Sara
Jo Harrison
Children's Co-ordinator Margaret
Oliver
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