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Post by danb on Dec 8, 2019 19:45:45 GMT
Could only listen to 4 minutes of that review. Alex was being very bitter and personal towards lots of the people working behind the scenes at Qdos. They haven’t made a show that caters solely to the ‘Number 1 West End reviewer in the UK’... yawn! Didn’t know he was a such a pearl clutcher. What’s wrong with ‘I usually like it, but this year it’s a bit too rude for me, it will probably still do well with the 90% adult audience it attracts’ - instead of aggrandising the end of panto?! It’s just the reviewer making it all about them self, not what they are reviewing. Really quite pathetic. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 8, 2019 19:47:48 GMT
Just a small word before the discussion of this YouTube reviewer escalates in the way it has done on some of our other threads.
Their comments are enabled on YouTube so anyone can tell them directly what they think of them there, this forum is not the place to do that. By all means discuss the opinions they have published but no personal attacks please.
thank you
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Post by Sean on Dec 8, 2019 20:06:46 GMT
Has anyone seen this to report back so we can get another perspective of the show.
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Post by callum on Dec 8, 2019 21:45:23 GMT
Has there ever been any chat about these pantos being filmed? Surely Qdos could sign some deal with ITV where each Panto is recorded and then shown the following year... I used to love watching the classic pantos on repeat on ITV2!
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 8, 2019 22:21:49 GMT
Has there ever been any chat about these pantos being filmed? Surely Qdos could sign some deal with ITV where each Panto is recorded and then shown the following year... I used to love watching the classic pantos on repeat on ITV2! But the next year, they run these pantos in different cities. So, the Snow White production from London is in Birmingham this year (billed as the London Palladium production to differentiate itself, presumably, from the many other Qdos productions of Snow White elsewhere in the UK). |
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Post by Mark on Dec 10, 2019 12:40:55 GMT
I got a last minute £20 single in the stalls for the matinee today. Can’t wait, have only seen Dick Whittington from the run of recent pantos so looking forward to another.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 10, 2019 21:23:55 GMT
He can’t be the ‘number one reviewer’ in the country- I have never heard of him..!
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Post by Mark on Dec 10, 2019 22:12:22 GMT
Well this was bloody good! Plenty of “Ring” and “Big Top” jokes from Mr Clarey as to be expected. The costumes are ridiculously over the top.
I’m not someone who sees a lot of panto, the last one was Dick Whittington at the Palladium. This one seemed a lot more “story driven” than that one.
Very impressed with Matt Baker! Magician and Sophie great together in a scene in act two.
I really enjoyed it! Great fun.
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Post by xanady on Dec 10, 2019 22:12:32 GMT
^Yes,Dr Tom,you are absolutely correct because I hear that Brum Hippodrome is getting the London Pall Goldilocks next Christmas with the Hippo’s perennial resident panto funnyman,Matt Slack,once again on board.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2019 23:36:37 GMT
I'm really looking forward to this on Saturday, especially to hear Gary Wilmott's big patter number this year, especially now i know what its about this year! I'd love to know how long it takes him to write them.
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Post by wickedgrin on Dec 11, 2019 0:22:16 GMT
Let's clear one thing up straight away - this isn't a pantomime. There is no plot, no "it's behind you", "oh no it isn't", no ghost gags, nothing for the children, no song sheet, which is just as well as there were very few children in the audience on Tuesday afternoon.
It's an adult variety show.
So depending on what view you take depends how you rate it.
Having seen the previous three shows Cinderella, Dick Whittington and Snow White I felt I had seen this show before and the gags are wearing thin. Some non scripted line drops and some clunky transitions - but no doubt these will be cleaned up. The packed house loved it and so why change a winning formula.
It is TRULY spectacular with FABULOUS costumes and a great fixed set (no changes apart from a few cloths flown in) and spectacular lighting and pyro effects.
Great circus speciality acts too - although the motor bikes in the dome of speed/death was too nerve shredding for me to be included.
The cast give their usual schtick. Julian wearing ever more outrageous costumes and delivering even more outrageous gags! Paul Zerdin is clever but we've seen it all before and I felt very sorry for Nigel Havers, Janine Duvitski and Lauren Stroud as Daddy, Mummy and Baby Bear respectively in huge fur outfits throughout - unrecognisable until they spoke. Poor Sophie Isaacs as Goldilocks has very little to do apart from be a magicians assistant but has a terrific voice in her one number in the second act. In fact the female cast are very poorly served in this production.
The stars of the show for me were the wonderful Gary Wilmot - lovely and warm as the Dame with a terrific musical theatre song in the second act although not topping his London Underground song a couple of years ago. The surprise for me was a wonderful performance from Matt Baker - who genuinely looked thrilled to be there with some amazing circus skills - uni-cycling, juggling, back flipping and a high wire walk (he would make a terrific Barnum) with a real winning personality.
It ran 2 hours 35 minutes including a 20 minute interval.
4 stars as a spectacular Christmas variety extravaganza, 2 stars as a pantomime.
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Post by callum on Dec 11, 2019 10:48:50 GMT
Thanks for your review. Interesting that from all of the reactions I’ve seen, not many people are mentioning O’Grady. Is it just the same old form him?
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Post by wickedgrin on Dec 11, 2019 11:49:43 GMT
Thanks for your review. Interesting that from all of the reactions I’ve seen, not many people are mentioning O’Grady. Is it just the same old form him? Yes, he plays the wicked ring master and is lumbered initially with a cod German accent which fortunately he soon abandons for his usual Scouse. I think you would enjoy this show if you had never seen a Palladium panto previously - he's fine but I felt I had seen it all before when he played the wicked step mother in Cinderella. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 11, 2019 23:18:21 GMT
Well that has to have been the funniest thing I’ve seen all year!
Perfect seat, front row aisle at the side, still avoided being picked on or covered with anything wet!
It is a long show, but doesn’t feel long, finished about 10:20pm. Did start a few minutes late as we were queued around the corner to get in. There are lots of ad-libs, but I suspect many aren’t ad-libs. Paul O’Grady told some long great stories that I’m surprised no one picked up on, switching from nice to nasty just like that. And Julian had the best jokes and the best costumes, including an excellent sequence with Sophie Isaacs talking about theatre schools.
This really is a perfect show for a touring pantomime to takr to big venues. It’s a circus so there are gaps to put whatever variety acts you want in. I’m not really into the danger acts, but these ones worked. There was an excellent magician using fire and doves (only slight downside of the front row is being able to see the wires).
This was really one for the musical theatre devotees. References throughout, including by Gary Wilmot, lots of song parodies, plenty from Barnum as you’d expect. Another highlight, a 42nd Street medley, complete with fantastic costumes. There is classic panto slapstick in there too and some really elaborate props and set pieces. This will definitely go on to a major venue next year.
It is all incredibly crude and yes, a load of jokes are the same as last year, but there were next to no children in and this is definitely for the adults. If Nigel Havers can get the crowd in uproar just by swinging his belly, what more do you want?
And a bonus? It was opening night so the house was swarming with celebrities. I’m not great at matching names and faces so there were a lot of people I recognised but couldn’t think from where. And many I recognised. Yes, even the Krankies!
Do go! It’s Fandabidozi!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2019 23:39:13 GMT
Well that has to have been the funniest thing I’ve seen all year! Perfect seat, front row aisle at the side, still avoided being picked on or covered with anything wet! It is a long show, but doesn’t feel long, finished about 10:20pm. Did start a few minutes late as we were queued around the corner to get in. There are lots of ad-libs, but I suspect many aren’t ad-libs. Paul O’Grady told some long great stories that I’m surprised no one picked up on, switching from nice to nasty just like that. And Julian had the best jokes and the best costumes, including an excellent sequence with Sophie Isaacs talking about theatre schools. This really is a perfect show for a touring pantomime to takr to big venues. It’s a circus so there are gaps to put whatever variety acts you want in. I’m not really into the danger acts, but these ones worked. There was an excellent magician using fire and doves (only slight downside of the front row is being able to see the wires). This was really one for the musical theatre devotees. References throughout, including by Gary Wilmot, lots of song parodies, plenty from Barnum as you’d expect. Another highlight, a 42nd Street medley, complete with fantastic costumes. There is classic panto slapstick in there too and some really elaborate props and set pieces. This will definitely go on to a major venue next year. It is all incredibly crude and yes, a load of jokes are the same as last year, but there were next to no children in and this is definitely for the adults. If Nigel Havers can get the crowd in uproar just by swinging his belly, what more do you want? And a bonus? It was opening night so the house was swarming with celebrities. I’m not great at matching names and faces so there were a lot of people I recognised but couldn’t think from where. And many I recognised. Yes, even the Krankies! Do go! It’s Fandabidozi! Well, you went on opening/press/gala night. Don't think I've ever seen a child at one of those. At least they have included a note at the bottom of the booking page on LW Theatres now. |
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 11, 2019 23:52:50 GMT
I spotted two children, one with Vanessa Feltz.
But last year at a matinee there were hardly any children there either.
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Post by carmella1 on Dec 12, 2019 1:10:57 GMT
Its not meant for children. Sad.
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 12, 2019 8:43:49 GMT
Forgot to say how good Matt Baker is. His skills as a gymnast are really on show here, circus skills, tumbling and flipping and, of course, the big moment parodying Barnum at the end of Act 1 (he only took 3 attempts, better than Marcus Brigstocke). I'm sure he has a future career on stage if he wants it.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 12, 2019 9:59:24 GMT
This is the worst panto yet. The ‘script’ is woeful. Poor PAUL OGrady- want to see a comedian dying a slow death onstage- go see him in this.
The laziness of Michael Harrison to basically repeat the same old rubbish year after year is quite jaw dropping.
The only bright spots are Matt Baker, Paul Zerdin, and Julian Clary. Aren’t we all bored of the Nigel Havers Schtick and pretend corpsing?
Don’t give them your money.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 12, 2019 10:00:05 GMT
Forgot to say how good Matt Baker is. His skills as a gymnast are really on show here, circus skills, tumbling and flipping and, of course, the big moment parodying Barnum at the end of Act 1 (he only took 3 attempts, better than Marcus Brigstocke). I'm sure he has a future career on stage if he wants it. I agree- he is charming in this. And perhaps he is also hiding a decent singing voice? I’m sure I heard potential. |
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Post by gra on Dec 12, 2019 13:27:01 GMT
Its not meant for children. Sad. Large school party at the performance yesterday afternoon. Apart from Julian Clary' s entendre, there is much in this year's pantomime that would be suitable and enjoyed by a family audience. |
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Post by Sean on Dec 13, 2019 18:01:11 GMT
Saw this today. Really impressive and very enjoyable. A lot better than last year which I felt was a bit poor. Zerdin has finally dropped his old stuff and we get new material. Very little physical set but lighting and costumes are very impressive. Definitely recommend it.
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Post by justfran on Dec 13, 2019 19:03:04 GMT
Forgot to say how good Matt Baker is. His skills as a gymnast are really on show here, circus skills, tumbling and flipping and, of course, the big moment parodying Barnum at the end of Act 1 (he only took 3 attempts, better than Marcus Brigstocke). I'm sure he has a future career on stage if he wants it. I agree- he is charming in this. And perhaps he is also hiding a decent singing voice? I’m sure I heard potential. Matt Baker was the lead in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Sunderland Empire about 10 years ago and I seem to remember him being very good. |
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Post by digipal on Dec 16, 2019 20:00:03 GMT
Went to yesterdays matinee show, first time I've been to a Palladium panto and I absolutely loved it. I went in with few expectations and roared with laughter throughout. I'm not a laugh-out-loud type of person however had tears of laughter at several points throughout. I loved that piece near the end where they're all singing a song at differant points with some slaptsick thrown in and Gary Wilmots theatre song megamix was great as well. Yes it's all rather bawdy in places however looked amazing especially lighting and Julian Clary's costumes were divine. Matt Baker was also a great surprise and walked his tightrope at the first attempt. Well worth going
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Post by djdan14 on Dec 16, 2019 20:25:35 GMT
Can someone advise on the pyro effects? Any loud bangs?
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