And so, to the tune of YMCA, the panto ends with an audience sing off: B-U-T-T, O-C-K-S. Unquestionably, the right half of the auditorium at the Rosemary Branch Theatre this evening, won on volume. The football chant that followed - 'Easy, easy' - hammered home the point, but the most elegantly upholstered Dame on a London stage - Mrs Betty Swollocks - was having none of it. We were all winners, she said, throwing sweets at the audience, only to have them chucked back at her.
 |
| Riffs and butts |
Buttocks is the alter ego of Buttons the bear. In
Buttons: Another Cinderella Story, lovelorn Buttons is transformed from toy to man by his Fairy Godfather, a mafia don in tuxedo and tutu who deals with fairyland problems while barking instructions for Ragu sauce into his mobile. To win Cinderella's heart, Buttocks must chase off the serial killer, Prince Gary Charming. Can he pull it off? And what about the bubbling romance between PC Pumpkin and the Dame: will his heart be won by her creamy pies?
In a year where a couple of pantos seen haven't been worth reviewing, what joy to find a production that meets every marker from witty rewrites and renditions of music classics (Bohemian Rhapsody, Poirot, Thriller, Sondheim, Single Ladies, Major General's Song) to 'it's behind you', a rude art competition, and the ritual humiliation of the front row.
In conclusion: Special mentions to John Savournin, who is both Dame and writer of
Buttons: Another Cinderella Story, and Rosie Strobel as the sneery, leery, bloodlusting Prince. This show has already been a Critics' Choice elsewhere and tickets are like gold dust. It's great grown-up fare that will have you laughing out loud when not shouting yourself hoarse.
References
Rosemary Branch Theatre,
Tickets
Rosemary Branch Theatre & Pub, 2 Shepperton Road, London N1 3DT. Run ends 7 January.
No comments:
Post a Comment