Santa Goes On Holiday

The Manifest Theatre is a delightful and intimate venue for any production and to be greeted by an Elf is always a good start to a Christmas show.

The colourful opening scene in Santa's workshop of busy elves preparing for Christmas was the setting to introduce the premise for the piece. Santa had decided that after 500 years without a holiday and feeling that he will not be missed, he is off to travel the world. This first scene introduced the use of large screen backdrops which were effectively used throughout the production after a rather sticky start. The scene also introduced Santa Claus, very much looking the part and ably played by Alan Wheeler. After dismissing the young elves he was off to travel.

Every pantomime or Christmas show should have a Wicked Witch and we were not disappointed. Wicklepedia, evilly played by Amanda Rowe, was everything we expect, great presence and a super witchy cackle. Her appearance throughout the show was always a treat.

Back to Santa and his arrival in Aladdin Land. There in a beautifully costumed scene with a rather eclectic cultural mix he was greeted by Aladdin , Sarah-Ellen Young. This scene demonstrated the talent within the cast with a wonderful Bollywood dance number. It also provided Santa with his lively travelling companion, the whirling Genie, Lester Pearse. Trickily set free by Wicklepedia yet somehow bound to keep Santa away, the somewhat mismatched pair headed off.

Next stop a London Park and a medley of very well choreographed chorus numbers from Mary Poppins. Then on to Bogwarts School and a thoroughly convincing Professor Dumbledore played by Martin Rayner where I was disappointed not to see the young elves reappear. This scene, however once again demonstrated the vocal talent of the cast with a very ambitious and successful rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody.

The opening of Act 2 was a visual delight. Pantoland with a plethora of wonderfully costumed traditional pantomime characters. I have to admit that my eye was drawn to the bearded Arab!

Again a lovely mix of character acting and great singing. Cinderella, Anna Hyman, sang so beautifully and was well supported by Frankie Power's thigh slapping Prince and the humble Buttons, Nike Herling. Annie Simcox was a strong and determined Fairy Godmother who ably defeated Wicklepedia and Ella Peartree was a beautiful Snow White. But the stars of the scene were undoubtedly the Ugly Sisters, Nigel Rowe and Rob Sadler. Looking wonderful and demonstrating great comic timing they sashayed their way through the scene and the audience participation number and were a delight.

I must congratulate Kerry King, Susie Hyman and everyone involved in this lively production. I did find the storyline got a little lost but this was made up for by the excellent chorus work which was a real highlight of the show. The Wardrobe Managers, Yvonne Cobbold, Karen Baker, Jacqui Terry and the team made the whole show shine with lovely costumes. Rarely have I seen such 'beautiful' Ugly Sisters. Lighting was appropriate and sound was always good.

Thank you everyone for a delightful and musical start to the Christmas season.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.