A Merry band of panto stars shine as Billy Pearce returns with Robin Hood (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

A Merry band of panto stars shine as Billy Pearce returns with Robin Hood

8:00am Wednesday 21st December 2011 in Reviews By Emma Clayton

When a giant, wise-cracking dragon finds itself sharing a stage with breakdancing Merry Men, a lovestruck cupcake and a bunch of high-kicking penguins it can only mean one thing – the Alhambra panto is back in town!

Bradford audiences are being taken on a magical journey to Sherwood Forest, for a fun-packed twist on the Robin Hood legend.

With bright costumes, lavish sets and stunning illusions, including a magical waterfall spelling out words and a smoke-breathing dragon flying over the audience – which was the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen in a panto – this is a spectacular production.

In his 13th year as Bradford’s panto king, Billy Pearce shows no sign of slowing down. From his spectacular arrival – shooting across the stage clinging to a flying shield – to the feelgood finale, he had a packed house in stitches.

With an extraordinary vocal range and quickfire delivery, coupled with the kind of high-energy physical comedy that would give Lee Evans a run for his money, Billy manages to strike a chord with everyone, from wide-eyed tots to silver-haired grandparents.

He thrilled us with a swashbuckling sword fight, and his entertaining falling-off-the-wall routine, with Emma Cannon as a sweet Maid Marion and Jamie Capewell as a delightfully vain Will Scarlet, was a masterclass in comic timing.

As well as the quickfire stunts – if you’re sitting on the first few rows of the stalls, beware of his lively canine companion – Billy brought a touching vulnerability to the role of Robin Hood.

Billy heads up a strong cast, all skilled in the art of panto slapstick. Bradford-born Andrew Ryan was a fabulous Dame, Nurse Nelly, hamming it up in a succession of eye-wateringly garish costumes and performing a hilarious striptease, and Jay Worthy got it just right as the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham.

Talented funny girl Hilary O’Neil lit up the stage as the Sorceress, showcasing a powerful singing voice and a handful of slick impressions, from Gavin and Stacey’s Nessa to Downton Abbey’s formidable Dowager Countess.

Britain’s tallest man Neil Fingleton, playing Little John, was quite a presence on stage, but more could have been made of his height. There was a missed opportunity for a visual gag or two.

I’m still not entirely sure why the second act opened with a circus, but I guess anything goes in panto-land. It was worth it to see Billy riding a shimmering silver elephant. And top acrobat TJ Roberts, from the world-renowned Roberts circus family, drew gasps with his daring handstand, balancing on a tower of chairs.

And, with the Sunbeams reaching nearly a century of theatrical tradition in Bradford, it was lovely to see young performers from Oxenhope’s Sara Packham School of Dance step into their famous shoes this year.

A cracking show offering a feast of festive family fun.

Runs until February 5, 2012.