pantomime

THEATRE REVIEW: Jack and the Beanstalk starring Victoria Scone at the King’s Head Theatre, Islington

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ***1/2

WHEN? Sunday 14 December (matinee), runs through 4 January 2026

This pantomime penned by the genius that is Andrew Pollard offers an ‘adults only’ option and we’re clearly at the wrong showing but there’s so much potential here that we can’t wait to return.

  • Read on for reasons including how author Pollard continues to show what 1 can achieve with a heart bigger than a budget
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THEATRE REVIEW: Sleeping Beauty starring Catherine Tate & Julian Clary at the London Palladium

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? *****

WHEN? Sunday 7 December, opens 11 December and runs through 11 January 2026 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Bovvered? Christmas is a time of tradition and this year marks the 10th since the return of the pantomime to the boards of the London Palladium.

  • Read on for reasons including why there’s simply no other pantomime in any other venue across the land that can top it for spectacle and laughs
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THEATRE REVIEW: Robin Hood starring Jane McDonald, Julian Clary, Marisha Wallace & Charlie Stemp at the London Palladium

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Sunday 8 December 2024, runs through 12 January 2025 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

What would Morecambe and Wise do?

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the funniest, most heartfelt, joyous and dazzling the Palladium pantomime has ever been
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for November 2024 starring Ncuti Gatwa

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Ncuti Gatwa stars in The Importance Of Being Earnest

‘A handbag …?’ New Doctor Who Gatwa stars alongside Best Theatre Actress monsta winner Sharon D Clarke (Caroline, Or Change?, Hampstead Theatre and TV’s Lost Boys and Fairies) and Hugh Skinner (The Trial, Young Vic and film Wicked Little Letters) in Max Webster’s (Minority Report, Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith) production of the Oscar Wilde classic comedy at the National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre 20 November through 25 January 2025. Tickets Vote for Doctor Who to win Best TV of 2024. Our Earnest review

  • Read on for reasons including the Greenwich pantomime, The Producers and the Steps musical
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THEATRE REVIEW: Peter Pan starring Jennifer Saunders & Julian Clary at the Palladium

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

WHEN?: Sunday 10 December (matinee), runs through 14 January 2024

This year’s Palladium pantomime is dedicated to its former star Paul O’Grady (Goldilocks and Cinderella) and during it Julian Clary says of him: ‘A year ago he sent me a card wishing me a warm hand on my opening adding that these days I probably needed 2.’

  • Read on for reasons including how this show has honed its winning formula with this year’s being the best Palladium pantomime so far
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PANTOMIME REVIEW: Sleeping Beauty starring Andrew Pollard and Anthony Spargo at the Greenwich Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE? Greenwich Theatre RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

WHEN? 29/11 (press night), runs to 12/1/20

Welcome to a show worthy of the West End but at a fraction of the ticket price that speaks to what it is like to live in this beautiful nook of south-east London.

  • Read on for reasons including what writer/dame/director Andrew Pollard thinks of this show stopping panto

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THEATRE REVIEW: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs starring Craig Revel-Horwood

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHERE: Southampton Mayflower

WHEN: 31/12, runs to 7/1/18

Our review of Strictly Come Dancing‘s Craig Revel Horwood’s fabulous turn in Annie last year was the fourth most read content on this site in 2017.

  • Read on for reasons including which pantomime is Southampton-bound in 2018

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THEATRE REVIEW: Dick Whittington starring Julian Clary and Elaine Paige

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE: London Palladium

WHEN: 10/12 (matinee), press night 13/12, runs to 14/1/18

‘I woke up this morning and there was eight inches outside my back door,’ reflects Julian Clary as Spirit Of The Bells in the Palladium’s annual pantomime extravaganza after an especially snowy morning.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is the funniest pantomime you’re likely to see

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THEATRE REVIEW: Peter Pan: A New Adventure

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE: Greenwich Theatre

WHEN: 25/11, runs to 8/1/17

We can remember going to a pantomime each year as a child and wish, in retrospect, that they were as Pan-tastic as the annual festive treat served up at Greenwich Theatre by Andrew Pollard (pictured above).

  • Read on for reasons including which cast member we were manhandled by in the second half

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