Writer and Director: Berwick Kaler
Your reviewer saw his first real authentic British Panto in 2006 and immediately fell in love with the traditional old-style music hall (British) or vaudeville (American) style of entertainment it showcased. Unfortunately, with the lead female being played by a man in drag, the lead young male being played by a female, usually in love with the lead young female being played by a female and the number of double entendre, wink, wink, nudge, nudge jokes that fill the dialogue, and the fact that this is a ”Children’s Christmas show”, British panto will most likely never be understood by American audience or be allowed to appear on any of their professional or amateur stages in the near future. It is their loss.
Having now seen and or been involved in over 50 different retellings of the same old Panto stories such as Aladdin, Snow White and Cinderella. It was very refreshing to finally see a new and original production written with a specific local community audience in mind.
And Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates of the River Ouse is just that.
Written by Sunderland native, Berwick Kaler, who has been playing he Dame at the Grand Opera House since 2021, he is reunited with his family of professional actors for a hilarious take on the classic story of the sailor from York who finds himself marooned on a desert island.
The show opens with a short musical number and dance after which everyone is wondering where the Dame is. Her understudy, a young performer of about 11 years old, steps up to take on the role to the delight of the audience. We then see a film, projected onto the main, very large cinema screen, of our Dame waking up suddenly and realizing she is late for the Panto. Oh, yes, she is. This is a very creative, unique and enjoyable use of modern, multi-media technology, and something that is lacking in many local productions these days. The opening film follows our Dame as she rushes through many of the most recognizable areas of the city of York such as the train station and several town centre streets while the tune I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) plays appropriately in the background. This is what really made the show recognizable, familiar and special to the audience, which in this case included a good number of attendees from all age groups. The sets, lights, effects, costumes and the overall appearance of the show was about as perfect as you good get and is a visual joy to watch.
The rest of the show was classic panto performed by some talented young newcomers, professionals on their way up and some very “experienced” cast members. This is a polite way to say that some of the lead players were old- something that was pointed out far too many times, even for a running joke, by some members of the cast – the Dame’s son was obviously about the same age as she but was referred to as being just 16. Yes, we get it. You’re in your mid-thirties playing teenagers.
There is something about seeing a show at the Grand Opera House in York which officially opened in 1902 with the production Little Red Riding Hood starring Florrie Ford, that makes it a special night out. Add to that the popularity of a family friendly panto, the professional cast and crew putting on the show, a story that the audience can relate to and recognize as taking place in their hometown, and you have an even more of a special night to remember.
Runs until 6 January 2024
The Reviewers Hub
Visual joy to watch
