Do the Chuckle Brothers live up to their name in this year's Theatre Royal Concert Hall panto?
"Hellooooo!" Yes, the Chuckle Brothers are heading the bill at this year’s Theatre Royal pantomime. Paul and Barry Elliott have been making mayhem on kids’ television since the eighties. So surely one the most lucrative productions in the theatrical calendar is in safe hands. Or is it time to say, ‘Oh dear, oh dear?’
Pantomimes aren’t big on plot. But for the record, Tiddling-On–Trent is in trouble. The giant Blunderbore wants to increases taxes. Possibly a sniff of satire there, but probably not. Anyway, when the Tiddlers (no really, that’s what they’re called) protest, Blunderbore abducts Princess Apricot and Moo-moo the cow and threatens to eat both unless funds are coughed up. Cue Jack, his mother, his two inept brothers (Paul and Barry) and King Crumble, to launch a rescue mission up that dreaded beanstalk. The Spirit of the Beans is also around to help out. You heard that name right.
The Chuckle Brothers are great. The audience love them and they don’t disappoint. If you enjoyed their shows on the telly, you’ll enjoy their live performances. Also onboard for the romp is Chico. Yes that’s right, the X Factor winner. He plays the eponymous Jack, irrepressible, enthusiastic and a competent song and dance man. He also has muscles to die for, as we learn in the scene where he gets ready for bed.
Tony Maudsley, who plays Jack’s mother, Dame Trot, aces his performance. All that cross-dressing, wink-wink comedy that never forgets to be safe and family-friendly. Indeed, panto innuendo seems to be a thing of the past these days. Meanwhile, Daniel Boys is the giant’s henchman, Flesh Creep. Daniel really gives the audience something to boo about, and has one of the best evil laughs in the business. He opens the second act with a musical number that sticks out as best in the show.
Towards the end there‘s the 3D scene. Time to put on the dark glasses, handed out in the foyer. Our heroes explore the giant’s castle and brave various perils, such as giant maggots, spiders, rats, skulls, and of course, Blunderbore. It was rather reminiscent of those 3D attractions at fun fares: funny, a tad scary and simply impressive for the way the monsters jump out from the stage and onto your seat.
So all the panto boxes get ticked. Tinsel, dancing, hit pop songs, sparkle, an inflatable beanstalk, slapstick, custard pies, audience participation and so on. The cucumber joke was hilarious (well you might ask, I’m saying nowt). You get to see the Chuckle Brothers do their ‘to me to you’ catchphrase. And everyone leaves with a smile on their faces.
Jack and the Beanstalk, Theatre Royal, runs until Sunday 15 January 2017.
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