Yorkshire’sleast friendly village Upper Jumper is home to poverty-stricken farming family Jack Trott and his loquacious mother Dame Trott.
The wicked Lord Fleshcreep is planning to evict the family so he can stage a festival on their land. As his cunning plan starts to fall into place, Cillian O’Connell, a youthful and selfie-obsessed TV talent-show contestant (Joseph Miller), takes hiding in the village after being embroiled in an improper drugs scandal that has tainted his new-found career and buoyancy. The sprightly Cillian injects love to the small, sleepy village just when it was needed.
After two years of uncertainty, following the demolition of Above the Stag Theatre’s former home, in Victoria, the theatre has finally found their feet in a Vauxhall arch. The multi-coloured set and lighting are professional to a tee, adding a visual feast to this hilarious show, which has a storyline that takes in drugs, sexual depravity and gay marriage.
The musical numbers are as near to kitsch perfection as you’ll get, and they’re all original parodies of popular music – pay close attention to the ‘Blurred Lines’ number. Beautifully performed. Whilst it may feel a smidgen overly long, and could possibly do with a trim here and there, the cast definitely make up for it, as does the interactive addition of odour-rama. Get scratching those cards! You’re in for a treat. Mostly!
The star of the show is Matthew Baldwin as Dame Trott. Resembling a character from cult TV show The League of Gentlemen, Baldwin plays the dame with wonderful aplomb. The droll delivery, impeccable timing, and superb one-liners that come from him are the stand out sections of this show. Bravo! Other members of the cast include a salacious and perverted (love it) Lord Fleshcreep, played with smatterings of wicked camp by Ian Hallard; an excitable fairy (Stephanie Wilson); hopeful hero Jack (Chris Clynes) and a dim-witted yet loveable Simon Trott (Toby Joyce). There’s even a semi-cameo from Su Pollard!
This is how you do an adult panto.
• Arch 17, Miles Street, SW8 1RZ. Runs to 5th January. www.abovethestag.com
