York Theatre Royal's Panto: A Crowd-Pleasing but Familiar Take on Sleeping Beauty
The annual festive offering at York's Theatre Royal has once again proven to be a reliable crowd-pleaser, thanks to its tried-and-tested formula. Paul Hendy, the pantomime veteran behind the show, has expertly woven together an assortment of familiar set pieces, including the inevitable "slop scene" and "ghost bench," along with a string of witty one-liners that have become synonymous with the genre.
The addition of a velociraptor sidekick named Kevin is just one of several unexpected twists on classic fairytale elements. The daft classroom routine and capering ghouls add to the show's lighthearted atmosphere, making it a must-visit for families looking for an entertaining night out. Meanwhile, the regiment of toy soldiers come to life provides plenty of opportunities for slapstick humor and comedic moments.
One of the standout performances comes from Robin Simpson as Nurse Nellie, Princess Aurora's trusty protector. His quick wit and sharp tongue bring a level of unpredictability to his character, making him at his best when riffing on genuine mishaps. The banter between Simpson and Tommy Carmichael, who reprises his role as Buttons, is particularly entertaining.
The show also features strong supporting performances from Jennie Dale and Jocasta Almgill, who bring an energy to their respective roles as the good and bad fairies. While some of the jokes may feel a bit too rehearsed at times, there's always a spark of mischief in Simpson's eye that keeps the audience engaged.
One area where the show falls short is its loss of local flavor and topicality. The pantomime's traditional role in incorporating references to current events and regional quirks seems to have been toned down this year, leaving it feeling slightly one-dimensional compared to previous offerings. Nevertheless, the York Theatre Royal's panto remains a reliable choice for families looking for an entertaining night out – just don't expect any groundbreaking surprises.
The annual festive offering at York's Theatre Royal has once again proven to be a reliable crowd-pleaser, thanks to its tried-and-tested formula. Paul Hendy, the pantomime veteran behind the show, has expertly woven together an assortment of familiar set pieces, including the inevitable "slop scene" and "ghost bench," along with a string of witty one-liners that have become synonymous with the genre.
The addition of a velociraptor sidekick named Kevin is just one of several unexpected twists on classic fairytale elements. The daft classroom routine and capering ghouls add to the show's lighthearted atmosphere, making it a must-visit for families looking for an entertaining night out. Meanwhile, the regiment of toy soldiers come to life provides plenty of opportunities for slapstick humor and comedic moments.
One of the standout performances comes from Robin Simpson as Nurse Nellie, Princess Aurora's trusty protector. His quick wit and sharp tongue bring a level of unpredictability to his character, making him at his best when riffing on genuine mishaps. The banter between Simpson and Tommy Carmichael, who reprises his role as Buttons, is particularly entertaining.
The show also features strong supporting performances from Jennie Dale and Jocasta Almgill, who bring an energy to their respective roles as the good and bad fairies. While some of the jokes may feel a bit too rehearsed at times, there's always a spark of mischief in Simpson's eye that keeps the audience engaged.
One area where the show falls short is its loss of local flavor and topicality. The pantomime's traditional role in incorporating references to current events and regional quirks seems to have been toned down this year, leaving it feeling slightly one-dimensional compared to previous offerings. Nevertheless, the York Theatre Royal's panto remains a reliable choice for families looking for an entertaining night out – just don't expect any groundbreaking surprises.
The only thing that's new is Kevin the velociraptor... who's basically just a CGI animal with a wisecrack. Where's the innovation? I get it, families want to feel safe and familiar, but isn't that what Netflix does for movies now? 
82% of audiences in the North of England have seen at least 5 Pantomimes in their lifetime - but only 25% say it's still as magical as they remember 
! The stats also show that, on average, parents take their kids to see a panto every year around Christmas Eve... and 90% of them wear matching festive jumper outfits 
. Meanwhile, the Theatre Royal in York has been running Pantomimes non-stop since 1902 - making it one of the longest-running shows in the world 
! 
I think the good thing about this year's panto is that it still knows how to bring people together, even if it doesn't break any new ground. It's like a warm hug on a cold winter's day - familiar and comforting. The cast is super talented, especially Robin Simpson as Nurse Nellie 
? Maybe next year they can mix things up a bit more, but for now, it's still a great night out for families. 
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! The whole show is like one big family fun night with all the old-school jokes and bits that you know you're gonna love. Robin Simpson's Nurse Nellie stole the show for me though! 
The York Theatre Royal always brings the goods when it comes to a crowd-pleasing show. Paul Hendy is like a master of this thing – he knows exactly how to hit all the right notes (literally, in this case) 
. Still, if you're just looking for a fun night out with the fam, York Theatre Royal's panto is always gonna be a solid choice 
.