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Post by david on Dec 7, 2021 18:19:12 GMT
I’m not normally someone who goes for the pantomime stuff but when a £25 stalls seat in the Palladium becomes available thanks to dynamic pricing (original price £90) I wasn’t going to turn it down. Having watched this afternoons performance of Pantoland at the Palladium it was worth every penny. Donny Osmond was back and was just sensational on stage and alongside the rest of that fantastic cast made first amazing afternoon sat in that stunning theatre’s auditorium. Where to even begin putting my thoughts down? When the announcement of Donny on stage was made at the start it made everyone’s afternoon and the guy was just incredible. His medley of Osmond songs got everyone on their feet singing and clapping along. Just to show that it was live theatre, Donny in one scene with Paul Zerdin and Sam somehow managed to get hold of Sam and switch him off. Mortified poor old Danny had to go into the wings to ask Paul how to switch him back on. Even the slip ups made the afternoons entertainment. Julian Clairy was having the time of his life on stage with the jokes and at one point even made Jac forget his line in one sketch which Julian took full advantage of. It was my first time hearing Gary Wilmot singing his underground stations song and what a song it is. Finally there is poor old Nigel getting lampooned by Julian at every opportunity when he was on stage. A stunning set, fantastic lighting and sound design with plenty of pyrotechnics for good measure really showed that great stage at its best for me. Julian’s costumes throughly the show were just fabulous with great work from designer Hugh Durrant for coming up with those creations. A fantastic afternoon at the theatre with a big smile on my face walking out of the Palladium. Rating- 5⭐️ So glad it’s back on track. I wonder if the same line will be forgotten on Thursday when I go. It is so well done though, I don’t mind. It was just such a fantastic show with a great atmosphere in that auditorium. It exceed all my expectations. I’d definitely book again if it ever came back. |
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Post by Figaro on Dec 7, 2021 18:25:08 GMT
There are screens up at the Palladium advertising Panto will be back in 2022.
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Post by mattnyc on Dec 7, 2021 18:26:11 GMT
Lol ok so the switching the puppet off IS part of the show. Good on Donny for really acting embarrassed by it!
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Post by Stephen on Dec 7, 2021 20:35:41 GMT
Anything flying this year?
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Post by Figaro on Dec 7, 2021 20:36:08 GMT
Anything flying this year? Yes. |
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Post by partytentdown on Dec 7, 2021 23:12:28 GMT
Enjoyed this tonight but did feel a little bit like we didn't get the full experience, it's clearly designed so that there is little plot to be disrupted should one of the acts have to be cut for whatever reason. Act 2 felt suspiciously slim... There was no sign of the aforementioned tap dance section, and the ongoing 'Adele is coming to perform' gag didn't seem to resolve as far as I could see, was something left out?
Laughed at the usual gags but I do think it suffered slightly with the lack of an actual story, however vague. I'm sure first timers had the time of their lives but I wish I'd been able to see a bit more new material.
There was a brief show stop for a medical emergency, presumably front of house.
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Post by partytentdown on Dec 8, 2021 10:16:36 GMT
Note to LW Theatres: IF YOU TELL US WE NEED A COVID PASS, ASK TO SEE IT BEFORE WE GO IN!
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Post by anita on Dec 8, 2021 10:22:20 GMT
Note to LW Theatres: IF YOU TELL US WE NEED A COVID PASS, ASK TO SEE IT BEFORE WE GO IN! They did when I went to matinee. |
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Post by partytentdown on Dec 8, 2021 10:24:34 GMT
Note to LW Theatres: IF YOU TELL US WE NEED A COVID PASS, ASK TO SEE IT BEFORE WE GO IN! They did when I went to matinee. Nobody was asked at the evening show, as far as I could see. With the west end on the precipice of a load of new closures, this felt really irresponsible. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2021 11:02:07 GMT
They did when I went to matinee. Nobody was asked at the evening show, as far as I could see. With the west end on the precipice of a load of new closures, this felt really irresponsible. Yep, this really frustrates me. Productions are going on about how seriously they're taking covid amongst the cast and crew...well do the same for the audience, and protect them too! And if Omicron is as transmissible as they believe, outbreaks in theatres won't end well for the industry. |
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Post by geraldine64 on Dec 8, 2021 11:48:31 GMT
Nobody was asked at the evening show, as far as I could see. With the west end on the precipice of a load of new closures, this felt really irresponsible. Yep, this really frustrates me. Productions are going on about how seriously they're taking covid amongst the cast and crew...well do the same for the audience, and protect them too! And if Omicron is as transmissible as they believe, outbreaks in theatres won't end well for the industry. Agreed! Was at the Matinee yesterday and we were not asked for our Covid passes. Also, the information email states 'All audience members must wear a face covering throughout their visit'. As ever, there was no effort to enforce this, and very few people where I was sitting were wearing masks. Heard one announcement, which clearly went unnoticed or ignored. On a more positive note, we really enjoyed the show! It was enormous fun. (But don't go along expecting a traditional panto - it really isn't that at all, but more of a sketch/variety show, hugely entertaining and fun. And thankfully Donny was back. It must have been a very strange and disjointed show without him!) |
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Post by fiyerorocher on Dec 8, 2021 11:50:20 GMT
Protocol seems to be to ask until it gets too busy to keep checking without creating long lines (as lots of people hold up the queue by complaining or not having something ready). If they kept checking passes and let queues build up, people would just complain about that. Sadly, they can't win :/ At least if they tell people they need to bring something, most people will have something prepared and it will be a little safer for everyone.
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Post by fiyero on Dec 8, 2021 19:14:44 GMT
Very excited to see this tomorrow. Has anyone noted the running time?
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Post by david on Dec 8, 2021 19:19:45 GMT
Very excited to see this tomorrow. Has anyone noted the running time? It was around 2hrs 30mins I think fiyero. |
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Post by jennapatchell on Dec 8, 2021 23:18:16 GMT
I do wish Paul Zerdin would write some new jokes. Every year it's almost word for word the same routine and gags.
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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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