RUMPELSTILTSKIN
The Park Theatre, Park 90
13th Dec 2022 to 14th Jan 2023
“North London’s favourite panto moves home. Charles Court Opera bring their boutique Christmas panto to the Park Theatre for the first time, with a brand new re-telling of the classic fairytale, RUMPELSTILTSKIN.
Charles Court has been described as one of the leading and most versatile chamber opera and music theatre companies in the UK. Alongside their critically acclaimed opera and musical theatre productions, their notorious ‘Boutique Pantos’ are a legendary part of north London’s Christmas, known for their ‘off-piste’ nature and described by the Daily Telegraph as “an annual madhouse”. Their first panto was in 2007 at the intimate Rosemary Branch Theatre. They then moved to the King’s Head Theatre, where they are proud to be an associate company, in 2015. Last year’s smash-hit ‘Beowulf’ at the King’s Head Theatre won ‘Best Panto’ at the Offies, and received 4 other nominations.”
Review by Richard Lambert, 5 Stars
CCO’s latest boutique panto is in a new home at the Park Theatre. And they’ve settled in very well to produce this whirlwind show which has little snippets of stories and quotes from every favourite Christmas show and pantomime ever known to mankind.
Built in-house from scratch with new compositions, arrangements, lyrics, book and script, it’s a monumental annual task to yet again put together a 2 x Act full length show. It’s fun, lively and lots of naughty adult one-liners (with family friendly performances also on the schedule).
A strong cast of 4 all have their step-out character roles with multiple ensemble numbers in-between. The exception is Rumplestiltskin who remains in character throughout.
A sound system that favours echo over reverb didn’t always give total clarity over the backing tracks but a minor consideration. “Rats” in the second half really brought the musicality and choreography into highlight and nicely segues into the thankfully short audience participation section.
To top off this show is the lighting by Jo Palmer. Every musical nuance, phrase, lyric, one-liner, scene and change is artistically enhanced by the 1001 lighting cues. The venue is not an easy space for lighting – not a lot of rig opportunities at front light positions and a thrust stage with audiences on 3 sides. Jo never blinds anyone in the audience and gave a complete range of looks from atmospheric, to scary, to disco, to bright illumination, sensitive choices and all fabulously done with humour and punch wherever it helps.
This is the quality Christmas show that’s different from your usual pantomime that you can take all your family – just be careful to correctly choose the family or adult performances.
Photo credit: Bill Knight
LISTINGS INFO
Charles Court Opera and Music Theatre in association with Park Theatre present
‘RUMPELSTILKSKIN’
Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP
www.parktheatre.co.uk
Box office: 020 7870 6876
13 Dec 2022 – 14 Jan 2023
Previews: 13, 14 & 15 Dec
Evening performances
Mon – Sat at 19.00
(except Mon 19, Sat 24, Sat 31 Dec & Mon 2, Thu 5, Mon 9 & Thu 12 Jan)
Matinee performances
Thu & Sat at 14.30 (except Sat 31 Dec)
Wed 21, Tue 27 Dec at 14.30
Sat 24 Dec at 11.00 & 14.30
Sat 31 Dec at 12.30 & 17.00
Adult performances
Mon 19 Dec, Mon 2 Jan, Thu 5 Jan,
Mon 9 Jan, Thu 12 Jan, Fri 13 Jan at 20.00
Relaxed Performances
Sat 24 Dec 11.00 & Thu 5 Jan 14.30
First 15 tickets per performance at £15
All remaining tickets:
Standard £25
Child (Under 16) £18
Access £9
Group bookings
Buy 10 tickets and get the 11th ticket free. Discount automatically applies in basket.
Park Up Members (16-26 yrs)
Available for whole runTickets £10
Telephone booking fee: 10%
(capped at £2.50 per ticket)
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