REVIEW: Cinderella at the Lighthouse, Poole

By the time you read this review, this year’s production of Cinderella at the Lighthouse Theatre in Poole will have almost finished its run but read on because the same team will be back next year with a production of Aladdin which is a title with more magical business and narrative than most other titles and is sure to be a good show. What does it take to be a great pantomime and why is the Poole team so effective? 

Firstly, it needs a writer and director who understands both his audience and the genre and brings a wealth of experience in appearing and producing shows. In Chris Jarvis who is in his fourth pantomime at the venue and who has almost thirty on Children's TV, the venue is lucky to have such experience at the heart of the production. The essential story beats must be part of the show, in the case of Cinderella (played by Charlotte Wood) when she first meets the Prince (played by Tyger Drew-Honey) in the woods, the invitation tearing scene with the Ugly sisters, Buttons trying to cheer her up with a nine-carrot necklace, the clock striking midnight and the slipper trying on scene. At Poole, all were present and delivered with charm in keeping with the traditions of the show. 

Pocket Picks: Our top Pantomimes of 2021!

Pantomime is one of the greatest British festive traditions, bringing so many people to theatres; some for the first time and some as a yearly tradition. We look back at some of the pantomimes we've reviewed here at Pocket so far this year and pick out some of the highlights! But even though we're choosing our favourites, we must send our admiration to all those involved in theatre across the UK, whether in a panto or anything else. With closures happening all over due to the pandemic yet again, it has reminded us how privileged we are to get to experience the joy that is live theatre. So keep supporting your local venues, and go see a panto!

Sleeping Beauty at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley ★★★★★

"...this year we’ve got a couple of proper names in the always good value, Bonnie Langford and Lee Mead. Along with Myra Dubois as the wicked fairy, Lloyd Hollett as Muddles, the Court Jester, Claudillea Holloway as the princess and Joelle Moses as the Queen, this combination proves to be the best overall cast I can recall." 

Sleeping Beauty at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley is running until the 2nd January 2022. Click here to book tickets. 

Click here to read the full review

REVIEW: Beauty and the Beast at the Poole Lighthouse

The Poole Lighthouse programme very carefully describes the origins of the Beauty and the Beast story as being from 1537 when Petrus was treated as a wild animal and was married to Catherine and suggests that elements of the story are shared with the myth of Cupid and Psyche. It became a published story in 1740 as Beauty and the Beast but is perhaps best known to current generations from the 1991 Disney Film promoted as “a tale as old as time”. 

Chris Jarvis’s script turns an Andrew Pollard version of the story into a pantomime creating French-speaking characters living in Paris who are transported to Poole under the watchful eye of Cupid with the sub-billing “a tale as old as pantomime” and takes the role of Dame Betty BonBon as well as directing the show. It gives the story a fresh, up to date look with a fun feel-good flavour that entertains young and old in the best traditions of Pantomime. They keep the run time tight, ensure the songs flow out of the narrative and litter the script with the usual mix of old and new jokes (not all of which land) and some double entendre.