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Post by kit66 on Dec 8, 2024 21:05:48 GMT
What a shame they decided not to do the rarely seen "Babies in the Wood" - once a very popular panto - as this would have given this version more of a plot plus a dame - and two kids! Isn't it Babes in the Woods? Robin Hood is essentially a reworked version of that anyway and it's more well known as a title. No - "Babies in the Woods" is an adaption of the story of the two princes in the Tower who escapes Richard III - in the panto changed to the Sheriff of Nottingham - although sometimes played al la Olivier's version of the "Crookback King" (“Now is the winter of our discontent”)- by running into Sherwood Forest where they meet Robin Hood and his gang. The dame is the nurse for the children and there's two robbers one good one bad who are usually played by a comedy duo.It sounds that the Palladium has none of these plot points. |
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Post by theatrefan2007 on Dec 8, 2024 21:20:56 GMT
They missed out an opportunity to have Jennifer with her, since the both of them starred in previous pantos. I imagine it will be Jennifer at some point. I hope she does pop up one night. I actually enjoyed her as Captain Hook more than I expected. |
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Post by tommy123 on Dec 8, 2024 21:22:50 GMT
I imagine it’ll be likely that we’ll see all ex stars of the show - Gary, Elaine Page, I’m sure Donny did a guest appearance in Peter Pan last year for one show?
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Post by cornish on Dec 8, 2024 21:27:34 GMT
It’s been said that a special guest is playing a role at every performance. Apparently it was Paul Merton on Saturday and ‘a comedy giant’ today - anyone know who? Big names according to production. |
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Post by theatrefan2007 on Dec 8, 2024 22:00:28 GMT
I imagine it’ll be likely that we’ll see all ex stars of the show - Gary, Elaine Page, I’m sure Donny did a guest appearance in Peter Pan last year for one show? It would be nice if Gary does appear though I doubt he will. |
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 8, 2024 22:22:38 GMT
A reasonably unsatisfactory afternoon today if I'm honest.
It's just become so formulaic, without any real new humour, so it's just become very samey.
The 3D glasses stuff was bizarre and felt cheap for the Palladium - I'm sure it cost a lot but I want actual stuff on stage guys, I'll go to the cinema if I want to wear 3D glasses.
Jane McDonald decided she wanted to do 4 ballads, which I guess is fine, but they really should have got her to sing Dance Yourself Dizzy - it's what the gals and the gays want Jane!
She also forgot her lines a couple of times which wasnt great.
Marisha was so out of place because she just...hasn't got any real concept of Panto, and so has no real idea what she was doing - no sense of panto baddie at all, which was weird - not for me.
Charlie and Tosh very underused as expected.
Havers is fine but it's just very samey now.
Rob was good fun - two great numbers and just generally leaning into the whole 'we know there's not a lot going on here let's try to have fun' thing.
Julian got his costume budget back after last year which was nice, and the smut is turned up to 11...!
Dawn French guest starring was fun - although I am reasonably sure she called Julian a tw@t in an ad-lib which was a big risque for 7.15pm on a Sunday. Be fun to see who they get as the run goes on.
It's probably still 3 stars, but I just want them to kick some life back into it for the 10th year next year.
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Post by marob on Dec 8, 2024 22:42:54 GMT
Dawn French guest starring was fun - although I am reasonably sure she called Julian a tw@t in an ad-lib which was a big risque for 7.15pm on a Sunday. Be fun to see who they get as the run goes on. When she was in Snow White she messed up a bit with some really long tongue twisters. Pretty sure she said “f**k!” Then realised and was like 🥴 |
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Post by unseaworthy on Dec 8, 2024 23:06:13 GMT
A reasonably unsatisfactory afternoon today if I'm honest. It's just become so formulaic, without any real new humour, so it's just become very samey. The 3D glasses stuff was bizarre and felt cheap for the Palladium - I'm sure it cost a lot but I want actual stuff on stage guys, I'll go to the cinema if I want to wear 3D glasses. Jane McDonald decided she wanted to do 4 ballads, which I guess is fine, but they really should have got her to sing Dance Yourself Dizzy - it's what the gals and the gays want Jane! She also forgot her lines a couple of times which wasnt great. Marisha was so out of place because she just...hasn't got any real concept of Panto, and so has no real idea what she was doing - no sense of panto baddie at all, which was weird - not for me. Charlie and Tosh very underused as expected. Havers is fine but it's just very samey now. Rob was good fun - two great numbers and just generally leaning into the whole 'we know there's not a lot going on here let's try to have fun' thing. Julian got his costume budget back after last year which was nice, and the smut is turned up to 11...! Dawn French guest starring was fun - although I am reasonably sure she called Julian a tw@t in an ad-lib which was a big risque for 7.15pm on a Sunday. Be fun to see who they get as the run goes on. It's probably still 3 stars, but I just want them to kick some life back into it for the 10th year next year. I wonder if it's time to rest it... |
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Post by Jon on Dec 8, 2024 23:10:55 GMT
The Palladium panto is never going to be rested, it makes too much money.
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Post by unseaworthy on Dec 9, 2024 0:00:03 GMT
The Palladium panto is never going to be rested, it makes too much money. Sure but it could be given to a different production company with a different cast |
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 9, 2024 0:07:26 GMT
I don't think the Palladium Panto makes as much money as some people think - they use it to create a new production and then ship it off to one of the other venues the following year - I don't actually think the Panto itself makes all that much profit (considering the wage bill of the stars for starter!)
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Post by Jon on Dec 9, 2024 1:01:32 GMT
The Palladium panto is never going to be rested, it makes too much money. Sure but it could be given to a different production company with a different cast I don't think a different production company could deliver the scale required for the Palladium. |
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Post by alece10 on Dec 9, 2024 9:08:11 GMT
The formula seems to work well so why change it. I read yesterday that the advance sales were 10 million for a 5 week run. That's damm impressive.
I would suggest that a large proportion of the audience only go to the theatre once or twice a year and for many just once a year to see Panto. They know what to expect and like that idea. Tried and tested...
And it's not as if the Palladium Panto is done on the cheap.
I sometimes think us board members are over critical as we go to the theatre a lot more than the average audience member so expect more.
Anyway I'm going tomorrow so we will see. I've actually not seen any of the Palladiim pantos before apart from the 2 Panto in Pantoland shows during covid and the following year so it will be quite new to me.
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 9, 2024 9:19:57 GMT
Going to the theatre a lot doesn't make some of us over critical 😂
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Post by lightthelights on Dec 10, 2024 9:35:30 GMT
Prices for this are just ridiculous
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 10, 2024 15:56:34 GMT
For anyone looking for reasonably priced tickets, do try on the day. I just picked up a seat for tonight in the central section of Stalls Row J for £45. That's through the single seat link (this was showing at £60 through the regular link). Even better, they take Theatre Tokens, which I always buy at a discount.
The same seat on other nights is over £100.
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 10, 2024 16:04:07 GMT
Prices for this are just ridiculous The wage bill has to be paid somehow...! |
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Post by cornish on Dec 10, 2024 17:47:03 GMT
Prices for this are just ridiculous I bought 2 seats for tomorrow for less than £60 That’s great value. We also looked at Devil Wears Prada and that was £198!!! Now that’s ridiculous |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 10, 2024 19:53:04 GMT
Prices for this are just ridiculous I bought 2 seats for tomorrow for less than £60 That’s great value. We also looked at Devil Wears Prada and that was £198!!! Now that’s ridiculous Yeah but I assume those aren’t good seats right? |
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Post by cornish on Dec 10, 2024 20:27:53 GMT
I bought 2 seats for tomorrow for less than £60 That’s great value. We also looked at Devil Wears Prada and that was £198!!! Now that’s ridiculous Yeah but I assume those aren’t good seats right? Which ? Panto or Prada? Prada were £138 more expensive but both lots were for circle. |
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Post by ilovewemusicals on Dec 10, 2024 22:55:08 GMT
Today’s King Richard was Patricia Hodge OBE
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Post by alece10 on Dec 11, 2024 10:04:00 GMT
An easy 5 stars for me just for the spectacle of the show.
This was actually my first Palladium Panto as I dont think you can count the Panto in Pantoland during Covid which was more of a variety show so I don't have anything to compare it with but I had a great time and was very impressed.
You can see that they have really thrown money into this show considering it is only on for 5 weeks. Some of the sets and larger props were onstage for a matter of minutes and must have cost a fortune. Lavish costumes especially for Julian Clary.
As for story and plot, well there wasn't any to be honest but who cares, its Panto.
I thought the cast were excellent and clearly having a great time. The main reason for me going was to see Jane McDonald and she didn't disappoint. Very funny, as expected, and she can really belt out a song. Was also lovely seeing Charlie Stemp doing plenty of high kicks.
I thought the special effect in act 2 was great and the last time I have seen something like this was back in the 80s at Epcot so I was impressed.
The special guest at Tuesdays matinee was Patricia Hodge who thought the whole thing was "such fun".
Hardly any children at the matinee and i've never seen so many sparky tops and Christmas jumpers.
Everyone seemed to be having a great time.
As we had a while before our dinner reservation I decided to stage door (something I never do) however in the time we were standing outside we only saw a couple of the ensemble and Rob Madge who told people that most of the cast wouldn't be coming out as there was another show later. I did have a little chat with him and he signed my programme. He thought it was quite amusing when I told him I had seen him at Gavoche.
Talking of the programme its £12 but its very good quality and worth the money.
One strange thing was the bag check when we were going in. I was asked to open my bag and was asked what was in it. I said it was a Christmas present and was then asked what it was. As the person it was for was standing next to me I declined to say as I didn't want to spoil the surprise. I was then asked if it was alcohol and I said it wasn't. I was told that if it was alcohol then I wouldn't be allowed to bring it in. All a bit daft really as why would you gift wrap a bottle of booze that you were going to drink in the theatre. I think he was just being a bit jobs worth!
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Post by ShoreditchTom on Dec 11, 2024 10:11:20 GMT
Kinda depressing to hear the bag checks are not at all about our security but making sure the bar isn't robbed of revenue - I always suspected as much (and am always surprised theatres don't have a metal detector walk through thing in this day and age)
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Post by erik24601 on Dec 11, 2024 10:14:05 GMT
Yes. Although now I have a perfect plan to sneak alcohol into a venue. Gift wrap it.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Dec 11, 2024 10:15:17 GMT
Kinda depressing to hear the bag checks are not at all about our security but making sure the bar isn't robbed of revenue - I always suspected as much (and am always surprised theatres don't have a metal detector walk through thing in this day and age) I’m often amazed at how slack security is at most theatres. |
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