There are certain seasonal events in life that people look forward to.
In the past the Morecambe and Wise Christmas TV shows and the Only Fools and Horses festive specials gave their fans what they wanted. Closer to home there’s the Royal Court’s seasonal offerings.
They always do what they say on the posters.
For the past ten years the venue has brought some in-house manic magic to the stage. The proof is in their Christmas pudding.
A show that starts selling fast in March says it all.
Now comes the Scouse Snow White with a novel twist on the seven dwarves connection and some now compulsory peninsular references... welcome Wirralpool!
In his programme notes Kevin Fearon - head elf and writer - says the Royal Courtiers do not care for panto.
Really?
Oh yes... they do.
To dismantle and re-build the genre you must first understand it. That is the ace card here as the experienced ensemble cast know what makes a panto tick from audience participation to the ‘shout out.’
Everyone in this highly-original production looks as though they are having a ball and that anarchic sense of fun is passed on to the ‘adult only’ audience.
This is a selection box of a show; chocca full of gags and top-notch songs from the band under musical director Howard Gray.
Director Chris Mellor has given his actors the freedom to do their party pieces and with all the anarchy of the Marx Brothers meets Mel Brooks there’s much to enjoy in this two and half hour feast of Merseyside-infused mirth with some ‘Manc baiting’ in the process.
The illuminated two-tier, revolving set from the inspirational designer Oivia Du Monceau is reminiscent of all those grottoes from our childhoods.
And now here’s an extra ‘shout out’ for the cast: Andrew Schofield’s cartoon-esque narrator; Lindzi Germain’s sarcastic Evil queen; Keddy Sutton’s uke-playing Mayor Joe; Hayley Sheen’s street-wise Snow White and Jamie Clarke’s feisty Genie.
And there’s applause, too, for the versatile Fletcher brothers. Stephen as the Liberace-like Vampire Christmas Killer and Michael as the Huntsman with his self- effacing, laugh-out-loud asides.
Songs have been chosen for their timeless appeal from I Don’t Like Mondays to Uptown Girl and Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.
Special praise for puppeteer Samatha Arends making her debut. She brought Nana Dwarf to life and certainly has her hand in making this show a hit.
There’s snow limits to the laughter and feel good, festive fun as the rousing Wizzard finale sends audiences home with smiles as wide as the Mersey Tunnels.
Five Stars - A Court Christmas Classic!
On until January 18, 2020, for tickets call the box office on 0151 709 4321.
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