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Post by marob on Dec 8, 2021 23:38:25 GMT
I’m sure I’ll enjoy it, if and when I manage to see it, but I can’t help thinking I would have preferred to see last year’s version. I’m not fussed about Diversity, but would love to have seen Charlie Stemp, Elaine Paige and Beverley Knight.
Has anyone seen both versions? How do they compare?
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 9, 2021 7:45:47 GMT
Can’t believe anyone is actually paying to watch this. They’ve repeated the same tired gags every single year since the panto was revived at the palladium. Same old faces in it too. Time to stop.
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Post by partytentdown on Dec 9, 2021 8:11:38 GMT
I do wish Paul Zerdin would write some new jokes. Every year it's almost word for word the same routine and gags. I did find myself sighing the third time he came out to do the same old thing, especially telling us about four times that the audience participants weren't plants (like they'd ever let a genuine member of the public up there in current conditions). I do think they need to retire him next year or at least find a new angle!
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Post by anita on Dec 9, 2021 10:04:29 GMT
Who was it that used to do "The underground song"? Think it was either in 1960s or 1970s. Des O'Connor?
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Post by anita on Dec 9, 2021 10:05:16 GMT
I also think they should of included Jac in the Joseph bit.
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 9, 2021 10:43:19 GMT
Am there tonight and I see it's also Donny's 64th Birthday, so I wonder if they'll do anything special to mark the occasion?
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Post by alece10 on Dec 9, 2021 10:59:55 GMT
Am there tonight and I see it's also Donny's 64th Birthday, so I wonder if they'll do anything special to mark the occasion? Thats wonderful news to find out that Donny Osmond is actually older than me. OK only by 1 year but that news has cheered me up no end.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Dec 10, 2021 11:42:14 GMT
I was there last night, Donny Osmond being probably the only incentive to get me to a Panto (scarred from Ian Botham and Rolf Harris at Wimbledon many, many moons ago). So all the jokes were new to me, the sketches etc. I loved it and laughed. Laughed a lot. And not just because Sam the puppet called me hot. Propositioned by a puppet. Ah, Donny - if only it were you .....
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 10, 2021 12:04:29 GMT
I enjoyed this last night, even with the recycled material and the dubious acting of two people during Paul Zerdin's part (thankfully no children on stage this year). I'm never too keen on all fake improv, but most people lap that up.
It was a much longer show than advertised, but also started late. It took a long time to get everyone in. I ended up with a seat which decided it wanted to tilt forward instead of back, but after sliding off the ushers did kindly find me a better seat a few rows forward (but far enough back to avoid the audience participation).
Thankfully I am reminded again which seats in the front row to avoid (as it seems to be the same ones every year).
There was a nice touch when the crowd sang Happy Birthday to Donny at the start of the second act. He was very gracious about this. I had hoped for a spontaneous rendition of "When I'm 64" in response, but to be fair, he doesn't look it. Fine voice too and great to hear snippets of his many hits (aided in song by most of the audience - although I don't know if the 5 year old in front of me had any idea what was going on).
Apart from that, Julian was wonderful as always and Nigel got the single best joke of the night (based around a Christmas party he attended last year).
I did overpay for my ticket (based on the offers that came along afterwards), but still, this is an excellent evening out. I had a stretch limo whizz past me immediately after the show too, which I presume was Mr Osmond making his exit.
Don't think there was enough there for a second visit this year, but will look forward to seeing what they conjure up for 2022.
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Post by sprampster on Dec 13, 2021 14:13:40 GMT
Saw this on Sunday afternoon and loved it ! Have to say Donny was a revelation! Yes a lot of the corpsing and dropped lines and “mistakes” are all totally staged BUT it’s so well done !!
Had tears in my eyes for the act one finale spectacle !!! Does anyone know the name of the song Sophie Isaac sings for this bit and what it’s from ??
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Post by Mark on Dec 15, 2021 9:47:55 GMT
Brilliant as always, Julian in particular holds the show together so well. Gary Wilmot brought the house down with his Underground song. Also loved Donny - he was really getting into it. Tiller Girls very underused, as were Jack and Sophie.
Time to retire Paul Zerdin - laboured old jokes and the fake audience participation fooled nobody - they were reacting to it before he'd even spoke. Pretty much identical to his previous routines.
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Post by callum on Dec 15, 2021 21:38:38 GMT
Received an email inviting me to book - don’t think I’ve ever had one before in what you’d think would be peak season?
I went in 2017, 18 & 19 but would be reluctant to book again until a bit of a refresh in the cast. Keep Julian (and maybe a Nigel cameo) but probably time for a total overhaul for Jack and the Beanstalk next year with a high profile Dame?
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Post by Figaro on Dec 16, 2021 18:39:53 GMT
It was 2 hours 30 a few days ago - maybe they had cut something out?
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Post by alece10 on Dec 16, 2021 19:35:01 GMT
Last year it was 2 hours which I think is a good length. I believe in previous years it was over 3 hours which is a bit long.
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Post by David J on Dec 16, 2021 22:26:58 GMT
Saw this tonight. Just above 2 hours long
It was okay. I wouldn’t say this is a case of the emperor’s new clothes, but the lack of a plot, no matter how slim, did expose the rehashed acts by the same old cast
The whole theatre wasn’t roaring with laughter like the previous times I’ve been
Goldilocks certainly had more variety
Enjoyed Julian clary as ever
Donny Osmond. Great. Though i don’t listen to his songs so they didn’t leave an impression on me
Disappointed that Jac Yarrow didn’t join him singing Any Dream Will Do
Favourite was the twelve days of Christmas and the mess ups
Paul Zerdin certainly needs to move on. His acts are certainly the most tired. The masks during the audience members bit stopped working at times. Surely that wasn’t part of the act?
Won’t go again until they get some new entertainers/comedians to replace some of the regulars
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2021 13:55:02 GMT
I had tickets for Mum and I to go to Pantoland this evening, but given the current situation, asked for a credit note and they sent it to me in minutes, without question.
Given that mum is 80, i was going to go by train to get her, bring her into town for the show, take her back home and then come back to my place after that. Seeing as she is coming to mine at the weekend and staying for Christmas, we didnt think it was worth the risk.
The credit note is valid until 9th Jan, when Pantoland closes. We might book for the 26th or 27th because she will already be here in London or leave it until the New Year. I'm thinking the New Year, because if they do decide into another lock down, I'll be able to get a refund instead of a credit note!
LW Theatres have always been super helpful exchanging tickets for Covid reasons.
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Post by danb on Dec 19, 2021 19:50:43 GMT
They most certainly have. So impressed with the human beings on their phone lines/email etc. They seem to actually care about theatre.
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Post by drowseychap on Dec 23, 2021 2:25:31 GMT
Just saw today tix doing tickets for £15 …. Is this a good offer for the seats allocated does anyone know of any other deals ? Day seats rush etc 👍🤔😊
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Post by max on Dec 23, 2021 3:10:11 GMT
Just saw today tix doing tickets for £15 …. Is this a good offer for the seats allocated does anyone know of any other deals ? Day seats rush etc 👍🤔😊 All good I should think. Some of the £15 seats on offer are in the Stalls (back stalls mainly) or good Royal Circle. But 5th Jan matinee (for example) has row G of the Stalls - which is a mega bargain. I didn't look at all days, but a quick spot check threw up good results.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 23, 2021 10:12:36 GMT
Just saw today tix doing tickets for £15 …. Is this a good offer for the seats allocated does anyone know of any other deals ? Day seats rush etc 👍🤔😊 I got row Q of the stalls which looking at TheatreMonkey was £89.50 originally!
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Post by alece10 on Dec 23, 2021 11:23:39 GMT
Just saw today tix doing tickets for £15 …. Is this a good offer for the seats allocated does anyone know of any other deals ? Day seats rush etc 👍🤔😊 I got row Q of the stalls which looking at TheatreMonkey was £89.50 originally! Don't rub it in 😀 I'm in the row in front on NYE and paid £92.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 23, 2021 11:34:04 GMT
I got row Q of the stalls which looking at TheatreMonkey was £89.50 originally! Don't rub it in 😀 I'm in the row in front on NYE and paid £92. It all evens out. I paid top whack for The Windsors before the discounts flooded out. I loved it but would have loved it just as much at 1/4 the price!
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Dec 23, 2021 13:07:38 GMT
I got row Q of the stalls which looking at TheatreMonkey was £89.50 originally! Don't rub it in 😀 I'm in the row in front on NYE and paid £92. We paid about the same last Wednesday. I always book two centre front row stalls seats as soon as the Palladium panto goes on sale. A generation ago I would have considered Donny Osmond a bit naff, but after seeing him in Pantoland I'm now a firm fan - as is my 23 year old son who'd barely heard of Donny. What an entertainer! he totally steals the show. Hope you will also consider your money well spent. I certainly did. Going again in January if it survives, thanks to Lottery freebies.
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Post by alece10 on Dec 23, 2021 15:25:16 GMT
Don't rub it in 😀 I'm in the row in front on NYE and paid £92. We paid about the same last Wednesday. I always book two centre front row stalls seats as soon as the Palladium panto goes on sale. A generation ago I would have considered Donny Osmond a bit naff, but after seeing him in Pantoland I'm now a firm fan - as is my 23 year old son who'd barely heard of Donny. What an entertainer! he totally steals the show. Hope you will also consider your money well spent. I certainly did. Going again in January if it survives, thanks to Lottery freebies. Well I've had plenty of bargains before so I don't mind paying full price especially when I know I'm going to enjoy it. I was lucky enough last December to catch one of the 6 only performances of this panto before they were closed down and loved it. This year I've the added bonus of Donny who is of my era so will be great to actually see him.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 23, 2021 16:34:25 GMT
We paid about the same last Wednesday. I always book two centre front row stalls seats as soon as the Palladium panto goes on sale. A generation ago I would have considered Donny Osmond a bit naff, but after seeing him in Pantoland I'm now a firm fan - as is my 23 year old son who'd barely heard of Donny. What an entertainer! he totally steals the show. Hope you will also consider your money well spent. I certainly did. Going again in January if it survives, thanks to Lottery freebies. Well I've had plenty of bargains before so I don't mind paying full price especially when I know I'm going to enjoy it. I was lucky enough last December to catch one of the 6 only performances of this panto before they were closed down and loved it. This year I've the added bonus of Donny who is of my era so will be great to actually see him. I was lucky enough to go last year (and had my original ticket not been cancelled I wouldn't have as I booked an earlier date when it was!). Donny puts on a great show, I don't think I'd have gone out of my way to see him live otherwise so glad I got this chance.
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Post by sfsusan on Dec 24, 2021 14:30:07 GMT
A generation ago I would have considered Donny Osmond a bit naff, but after seeing him in Pantoland I'm now a firm fan - as is my 23 year old son who'd barely heard of Donny. What an entertainer! he totally steals the show. I was impressed how well he handled being the butt of some of the jokes. His duet with Sam was really fun, but {Spoiler}{Spoiler - click to view}does he always 'accidentally' turn Sam off? It looked spontaneous (and Donny kept glancing at Paul Zerdin off-stage), but I've been known to fall for scripted spontaneity before. And the flying carpet was worth the price of admission. But I agree with an earlier comment that some of the acts are getting a little worn. And the performers didn't seem to sparkle as much as in previous pantos (this was my 3rd or 4th at the Palladium). I could have done with less of the young lovers and more of the fire dancers. I went last night and saw very few children in the audience. Mask-wearing was about 75%, particularly after the reminder placards were paraded down the aisles. The show started shortly after 7:30 and I was out and in a taxi by 9:55.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Dec 24, 2021 15:02:55 GMT
That (spoiler) incident certainly happened when I saw it last week.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 24, 2021 16:25:13 GMT
That (spoiler) incident certainly happened when I saw it last week. And the 2 times I saw it. Such bad luck
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Post by sprampster on Dec 24, 2021 17:03:45 GMT
Saw the show for the second time this afternoon and perfect for Christmas Eve ! Unfortunately no flying carpet ! The song was there but zero effect just Sophie belting it out !
Does anyone know was that song written specifically for the show ? Or is it from somewhere else ??
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Post by sfsusan on Dec 24, 2021 20:34:53 GMT
That (spoiler) incident certainly happened when I saw it last week. I thought that was perhaps the case. I'm a sucker for those moments. (I got fooled with the 'spontaneous' banter between Robert Lindsay and Sutton Foster in 'Anything Goes', too. Oh, and also between Les Dennis and Michael Ball in 'Hairspray', come to think of it.) I think it's watching the performers appearing to connect as people rather than characters or actors that appeals to me. I enjoy watching musicians interact for the same reason... it looks like they're doing it for their own enjoyment, not that of the audience.
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