This Is Gloucestershire Website
Theatre Review Jan 2012

Christmas may be over for another year, but there is still time to reel off that evergreen riposte “It’s behind you!”, along with the usual side-order of hissing, barracking and cheering (Oh, yes, there is). Set course for the Bacon Theatre, and savour this post-festive extravaganza which will momentarily dispel any thoughts of cold winter nights.

The multi-generational cast is strong and versatile, from glittering Fairy Bow Bells, hilariously gruff Captain Cuttle, the wonderfully wimpish Sultan and legions of animated children enjoying their first years in the spotlights. Jodie Hemming oozed confidence in the title role, while Ceri Winrow injected plenty of spark as brash and witless Idle Jack. Colin Bennett brought a quiet dignity to the role of Alderman Fitzwarren, even if his wayward nightcap threatened to ruin it early on. Crystal-clear songbird Rosie Weston radiated pure joy as his dutiful daughter Alice, and revealed a considerable talent for regional accents.

Yet it was the cat and the rat that ruled the roost in this mayoral and Moroccan mayhem. Molly Champion-Pinchin shone throughout as Dick’s sweetly endearing moggy, and there’s nothing quite like a top-quality villain to stir up trouble. Ably backed by his Blues Brothers-ish lieutenants, Tim Jones’ charismatic portrayal of King Rat was simply riveting. Boo him in character, yes (and didn’t we!), but save your biggest cheer for him at the end.

In front of beautifully lit sets, the delightful dancing water nymphs displayed grace and charm, before launching into one humdinger of a hornpipe. Meanwhile, the chorus was in fine voice, especially during Sail Away, a remarkably effective adaptation of One Day More from Les Misérables which brought the first half to a spine-tingling conclusion.

This vast army of talent, however, owes it all to the incomparable John Pannett, the definitive pantomime dame who remains the driving force behind these glorious seasonal spectaculars. Whether he’s dressed as a washed-up squid, your average DIY paint chart, chessboard or The Last Night of the Proms, and firing off those corny jokes with the rapidity of a machine-gun, the show would simply not be the same without him. Whither next for this inspirational giant – the honours list?

It lacked a little pace at times, but it was vintage Prom Prods – colourful, witty and hugely entertaining. The audience loved it, and the rapturous reception they afforded it at the final curtain was wholly justified. Turn again and fast forward to next year.

This Is Gloucestershire Website
Theatre Review July 2011

Many a professional company would have been proud to have a back-stage crew as good as theirs. The sets were excellent and the scene changes very smooth and rapid.

The musical tells two love stories in tandem. The professional gambler Sky Masterson falls in love with an unlikely candidate – the strait-laced Sister Sarah of the Save-a-Soul Mission.

The other hapless pair are Miss Adelaide, a chanteuse and burlesque performer and her beau, Nathan Detroit, who have been engaged for no less than 14 years. I think it fair to say that, by and large, the big ensemble numbers like the show-stopping Luck Be A Lady Tonight came over better than some of the solos and duets.

But Greg Aston as Sky Masterson is a strong stage presence, with real charisma. He was matched in performance skills by Kate Aston as Miss Adelaide, the bride-to-be. The audience loved the number where she strips off all the presents given to her by a dastardly admirer, who had but one end in mind. Furs, gown, shoes and necklace are discarded with scorn – all in the best of taste, I hasten to add.

Tim Jones was obviously enjoying himself hugely in the part of Nicely-Nicely Johnson, especially in his big number Sit Down, You're Rocking The Boat.

The American accents weren't always too secure, true, but production values were high and the show was well-received by an enthusiastic audience.

This Is Gloucestershire Website
Theatre Review January 2011

FEATURING a kaleidoscope of colorful costumes and plenty of laughs for all ages, the latest panto by award-winning Promenade Productions is clearly a labour of love. Last year they won the Gloucestershire Drama Association's award for Best Pantomime with Jack and the Beanstalk, and the first night of their new family show Aladdin was well attended.

At just under four-years-old, my nephew was one of the youngest children there and looking forward to his first pantomime.

Although clearly a little young to follow many of the jokes and dialogue which keep the rest of the audience chuckling, he was entranced by the villain of the piece Abanazar, wickedly played by Tim Jones. Rosa Day-Jones was an amiable Aladdin, who falls in love with the beautiful Princess So-Shi (Rosie Weston) and our panto hero was brother to the bubbly Wishee Washee, Sarah Aston, arriving on stage by bicycle and described as 'a prawn cracker short of a takeaway'.

John Pannett was the rambunctious Widow Twankey delivered lashings of innuendo, cheesy jokes and local references. With a large cast this was an ambitious production, making the most of the stage with dance numbers and familiar songs adapted for the show.

With help from the Genie of the Lamp (Tim Phelps), and the Slave of the Ring (Beth Gilbert) their adventure takes them from Old Peking to Jewelled Gardens.

Directed and choreographed by Heather M Newman, the efforts of the cast and crew were well rewarded by plenty of audience participation, and swells of applause throughout.

This Is Gloucestershire Website
Article June 2010

HE'S read the script, learnt the lines and now the star of Cheltenham's forthcoming production of Oliver has met the man most famous for wanting more. Mark Lester, 51, the former child actor who played the title role in the 1968 film version of Oliver, invited 10-year-old Daniel Parrott to his home to pass on advice.

The pair spent their meeting at Mark's home in Cheltenham discussing dancing, singing and how to cope with first night nerves. In less than two weeks Daniel will be taking the lead role in Promenade Productions' performance of Oliver at The Bacon Theatre, Dean Close School.

And the show's publicity team could not resist the chance to let their Oliver meet the original. Daniel, who attends Charlton Kings Junior School, took along his mum Amanda – and both were equally star-struck.

"I was little bit nervous, but also very excited to meet Mark," said Daniel. "I have watched the film lots of times. I've learnt my lines and all the songs, so I'm well prepared." The budding actor showed no nerves as he sang one of the show's most loved songs Where is Love? to Mark, and was delighted to get back positive feedback.

Mark said: "He's really good. He could do the West End production." His top tip for Daniel was to project his voice to the back of the stage when he's speaking and singing.

But Mark admitted that performing live on stage is a scarier prospect than acting on film. "If you muck it up on stage you can't go back and do it again," he said.

If Daniel is feeling nervous on the first night, he will only need to look to the audience for some moral support. Mark already has his tickets booked. "First night nerves aren't a bad thing," Mark said. "In fact there's something wrong if you don't feel nervous. It will be exciting. My advice is just go out there and do your best."

Mark turned his back on the limelight and has worked as an osteopath for the past 17 years.

But he fondly remembers his time starring alongside Ron Moody as Fagin and Jack Wilde as the Artful Dodger in the Oscar-winning film. He said: "It took one year out of my life at the age of nine. It was like being part of a big family."

Gaynor Pottier of Promenade Productions said she was "very grateful" to Mark for giving up his time." The big test for Daniel will be when we rehearse with the live orchestra for the first time on Thursday. "He's certainly been inspired by Mark," she added.

Oliver runs from July 14 to 17 at the Bacon Theatre in Hatherley Road, Cheltenham.

This Is Gloucestershire Website
Theatre Review January 2010

The village of Peasleby Green was a warm and colorful refuge after the snow outside. The Production had all the elements of a traditional Panto.
The opening of this Pantomime by Alan Frayn was cheerful and backed by a superb set from Scenic and Property Hire. The costumes by Showcase and the Society were colorful and added to the picture, especially those worn by John Pannett as Dame Dotty Dibble.

Sarah Aston as Simple Simon soon had the audience on her / his side and responding well. The singing was a little weak in places, particularly the male chorus, but the length of songs was just right. Rose Day-Jones sang the Golden Harpists solo beautifully and the duet with Caitlin Gallagher as Primrose was delightful.

The company handled the choreography confidently, that of the dance groups was more complex but well executed, if sometimes a trifle long. The dance to open Act 2 was excellent. There was a great deal of humour throughout, I particularly liked Adrian Prewer and James Meekums (The Broker's Men) for in the For Sale scene, where the timing was good; and Buttercup the Cow was brilliant. Congratulations to all involved in the production