PUSS IN BOOTS To 3 January.

Newbury.

PUSS IN BOOTS
by Phil Willmott.

Corn Exchange To 3 January 2010.
Runs 2hr 30min One interval.

TICKETS: 01635 522733.
www.cornexchangenew.com
Review Mark Courtice 16 December 2009.

Jolly seasonal chaos.
It seems the ages-old story of Puss in Boots is less popular than it used to be as seasonal entertainment. Phil Willmott's new version may change all that. For in this jolly chaos there is a really good Christmas show trying to get out.

For now, there's much to enjoy, even if this production is hard to follow and slightly underpowered in some of the performances. There’s a lot for the young to join in with, moments to scream your head off and all the traditional delights of custard pies, community singing, call-and-response and some old and dreadful jokes.

There are obligatory local references, with the score shamelessly raiding the contemporary pop songbook, and the piece works well when it makes its way into the auditorium as the cast really listen to the young audience and respond to them.

Willmott's zippy production has apt sets and glittery costumes. There are enough changes to feel that somebody has cared – the piece’s energy reflected by high production standards. The music from a twosome in the pit is very loud, and although the sound is harsh and unsympathetic to the singers, the big numbers have energy galore.

At the moment the problem is that the script is all over the place; the story gets lost and time is spent on things that don't work so well or mean much, but there is fun and good nature as well as a splendid character in Banderas the Spanish cat - all olé and swishing sword play.

Brown's Harvey Nicks is ineffably foolish but not really engaging enough; however Clare Plested's overworked Fairy Thatcham is genuinely warm and sweet. Matthew Grace can sing and dance as he makes Billy Bumpkin both silly and funny.

Queen Gertrude's costumes have colour, wit and absolutely no sense of decorum - in other words they are perfect for a Dame who has energy and a wicked way with her. Ian Mowat is clever and funny as Gertie, and can fascinate a whole audience as well as the unfortunate "love interest" she finds in the stalls.

Harvey Nicks Adam Brown.
Tom Cobbly Tom Oakley.
Princess Clara Joanna Woodward.
Queen Gertrude Ian Mowat.
Chef Du Jour Paddy Crawley.
Fairy Thatcham Clare Plested .
Banderas Joseph Wicks.
Billy Bumpkin Matthew Grace.
Prim Rose Katherine Hare.
Cherry Blossom Georgina Hendry.
Young Company: Corrin Benham, Alex Childs, Jessica Edwards, Grace Goslin, Lee Slater, Lucy Woodham, Lewis Cooke, Mackenzie Spearing, Rhea Walter, Imogen Watson, Rebecca Whittaker, Alexandra Wilson.

Director; Phil Willmott.
Choregrapher: Lizzi Gee.
Lighting: Nick Flintoff.
Musical Director: Leigh Thompson.

2009-12-21 08:40:48