December 10, 201014 yr Author Thanks BT King’s Theatre, Glasgow Until: Sunday 9 January 2011 Performance reviewed: Thursday 9 December 2010 Rating: * * * * * Panto season is in full swing and this year, the King’s tells us the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Normally, when writing about a King’s Theatre panto, the name Gerard Kelly is in there somewhere and this year is no different. The panto legend may be gone, but I’d like to think he was there with the best view in the house, laughing along with everyone else at the wonderful Gavin Mitchell as he plays Muddles. Knowing that no one could ever do what Gerard Kelly did, Mitchell doesn’t even try. He changes Kelly’s “Hiya pals!” to “Hiya gang!” and Kelly’s trademark black spiky wig is replaced by a blonde one. Mitchell has impeccable comedy timing, and is very endearing as Snow White’s best friend, suffering from unrequited love. Stepping into Kelly’s shoes is no easy feat but Mitchell is outstanding. Prince Lorenzo is played by the charming Darius Campbell (previously Danesh, or some may just know him as Darius). He is certainly a bit of eye candy and wears a kilt well. Although Darius is a seasoned performer, this is his panto debut and he looks like he loves every minute of it. Barbara Rafferty flies as Queen Morgiana The wicked Queen Morgiana, complete with convincing cackle, is played by Barbara Rafferty The kids just love to boo the baddy and Rafferty plays up to this well. She also has the honour of being the only cast member who flies. Queen Morgiana’s henchman, Herman, is played by Steven McNicoll and Snow White is played by Glaswegian, Julie Matheson. We have no Disney dwarfs in this show. Instead we have Prof, Grumbly, Blusher, Snoozy, Loopy, Sniffly and Cheeky. The set is fantastic. Glitter galore with an impressive magic mirror and a cute little cottage complete with mini beds. Now for the songs, the most important ingredient of any panto: Snow White at the King’s includes Michael Buble’s ‘I Just Haven’t Met You Yet’ (cue the screaming girls in the audience), ‘I’ve Got a Feeling’ by the Black Eyed Peas, Glee’s ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ as well as songs for the ‘older’ members of the audience such as: ‘I’ve Had (the Time of My Life)’ ‘She Had It Coming’ and ‘Celebrate’. Snow White wouldn’t be complete without ‘Heigh Ho’ and ‘Whistle While You Work’ too. Attending the show with a five year old, I was able to look at it from his point of view. As this was his first pantomime, his initial reaction involved google eyes and his jaw on the floor. This soon became shouting “IT’S BEHIND YOU” at the top of his lungs and singing and dancing along to the songs. He later told me he loved Snow White because she was very pretty and that his favourite scene was the Ghostbusters scene. Darius Campbell, Gavin Mitchell and Steven McNicoll At the curtain call, Gavin Mitchell spoke with fondness of his “dear friend” Gerard Kelly, which resulted in a standing ovation and lengthy applause from the audience for the panto favourite. Mitchell was visibly moved by this gesture. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the King’s Theatre is a MUST-SEE this festive season – with or without kids – and receives two thumbs up from the child and five stars from the big child. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/1PamP/The-boyspanto.jpg
December 11, 201014 yr Fingers crossed for Wednesday. Unfortunately I won't be able to wait for Darius. We're travelling as a group and going straight on for a meal which was booked by the treasurer in my name because she gave me the cheque to cover it because she works on a Wed.
December 11, 201014 yr have a great time! I wish I was going as it sounds an dlooks fantastic from the review and photos - and the added bonus of Darius obviously
December 11, 201014 yr I believe the seven dwarfs have to be re-named because Disney will not allow the original names to be used.
December 12, 201014 yr Author Well we made it to Glasgow to see the show yesterday. Roads clear except for a 20min wait whilst some escaped sheep were removed from the M6 just before Penrith. We ate lunch/tea then headed to the stage door and caught Darius for a brief few minutes, enough to take a photo each but not one on his own..... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/1PamP/panto11Dec.jpg Then we went for coffee till it was time to watch the show. It was hilarious :lol: Some of the funniest bits were when Darius and the others on stage couldn't get their lines out for laughing. Considering this was their 3rd show of the day it was a wonder they still laughed at the jokes....it was so funny. His singing was great but his part wasn't strong enough for him to get his teeth into especially after playing Rhett. If it was closer I would have re-booked. He was in a hurry at the end of the show with a taxi waiting so just managed a 'sorry guys must dash'. The journey back had a few hairy moment when we kept driving into thick fog. We stopped about 22 miles from Lancaster as I was getting very tired and the car park was very icy which was a worry for the rest of the journey. Luckily we did have too far to go. Arrived safe and sound about 1am. Well worth the trip.
December 12, 201014 yr Author Sorry should have said the theatre was pack for the 2pm and 7pm shows, don't know about the 10am. The kids + loads of adults were in full swing with the panto spirit. Excellent.
December 12, 201014 yr Author Just adding this... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/1PamP/pantodrop.jpg
December 12, 201014 yr just adding 10am?? grief - is that every day, I assumed matinees and the evening was it . do they do 10am performances down here I had never even thought to look
December 12, 201014 yr Just adding this... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/1PamP/pantodrop.jpg Glad you managed to see it Spam and say hello to D This is a lovely pic :)
December 13, 201014 yr Glad you and Nina made it, Pam. Sounds like you had a great day. Did you understand all the dialect?
December 13, 201014 yr Glad you both enjoyed it. Things aren't looking good here for Friday, I've got a really nasty dose of flu, plus a throat and sinus infection! :puke2: Sue
December 13, 201014 yr Glad you both enjoyed it. Things aren't looking good here for Friday, I've got a really nasty dose of flu, plus a throat and sinus infection! :puke2: Sue Sorry to hear that Sue :( hope you feel better soon.
December 13, 201014 yr Author Glad you and Nina made it, Pam. Sounds like you had a great day. Did you understand all the dialect? It wasn't much of a problem. It was mainly not knowing the areas that they included in the jokes.
December 13, 201014 yr By Friday, you'll be fine, Sue - you've got 4 days. It'd be a shame to miss it. Tell the flu to go away, I'm sure it'll listenh.
December 13, 201014 yr Author Sorry to hear you're not well Sue. Hope you are quickly on the mend and don't miss the show.
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