by Patrick Astill
This was a panto that had it all.
Big name stars, a comic that really got the crowd going, and – unlike some other big pantos in the area this year – some fantastic set-pieces that everyone loved.
We were treated to a comedy wallpapering sequence, some fun with getting kids from the audience up on stage, the traditional face-off between the dame and a ghost – and much, much more.
It was largely down to the very talented and popular cast. Who'd ever have thought we'd be seeing 70s pianist Bobby Crush sitting centre-stage at his mini-grand, in a bright orange dress, tights and heels, with a ginger wig and bashing out a rock'n'roll piano medley?
There's a time and a place for everything, and this was both the time and the place!
Then we enjoyed Vicki Michelle, from the 'Allo 'Allo sitcom, as Carabosse, the evil fairy, who warmed to her task as the show went on. Working well with Bobby, they executed a vessel-with-the-pestle sequence with aplomb.
Mike Newman Jnr, as Muddles, won the children over from the start, again easing into character to win one of the biggest cheers at the end. With everyone cowering from his water pistols he surprised us all by leaping into the audience to get a better shot!
Everyone has their musical solo and, with some brilliantly executed dance movements from the girls at the Tozer Dance Studios, this must surely be one of the best in Newark for many years.
The spectacular laser light show added to the story, rather than taking over the performance, and it was only at the end when we had time to catch breath that everyone sat back to say "wow".
If you see one panto in Notts this Christmas, make sure it's this one.
First published in the Nottingham Evening Post.
