Gatehouse Rock and Roll Panto

[Lucy]

They do do that sort of stuff Carol. My nephew is 7 and has loved it every time he's been, I'm not sure he's an older child.

 

[proactive]

@Gareth ...I have actually read your first post.......have you read my first post?

Beacuse I wasnt asking what you personally prefer I was asking whether people thought it suitable for a 4 year old and a 6year old.

This will be their very first panto and they are not jaded by the same old things.

I think that they would like the "oh yes he does, oh no he doesn't"

So, to anyone has been to the rock and roll pantomine....do they do or not do the traditional "he's behind you etc"

The six year old, provided they are reasonably outgoing will probably enjoy it.

The four year old might find the experience a bit much especially if they are on the shy side.

I probably wouldn't have taken my lad and his mates when they were four.

 

[Carole]

I probably wouldn't have taken my lad and his mates when they were four.

Do you mean that you wouldn't have taken them to Stafford or that you wouldn't have taken them to any panto?

 

[james w]

I wish someone would just answer the question.

Actually the more I hear about it, and the fact that I DON'T think that they do the things that little kids like, the more I am leaning towards Hanley.

It seems that adults and older children/teenagers seem to like the Stafford one but I am not getting any comments in favour of very young ones and I dont want to take a chance on them being bored.

Been to rock and roll panto three out of last four years.
Child was four on the first one and enjoyed it.
They do all the traditional "he's behind you" "oh no it isnt".
They do shout outs and the traditional panto Dame.
Difference is the music is great, the actors are also good musicians but there ain't a 'hollyoaks' extra in the starring role!

And going again this year!

Hope that helps.

 

[proactive]

Do you mean that you wouldn't have taken them to Stafford or that you wouldn't have taken them to any panto?

I meant the rocknroll one. Micro proactive went to his first panto at 3 in Wolverhampton. Loved it.

 

[Carole]

Been to rock and roll panto three out of last four years.
Child was four on the first one and enjoyed it.
They do all the traditional "he's behind you" "oh no it isnt".
They do shout outs and the traditional panto Dame.
Difference is the music is great, the actors are also good musicians but there ain't a 'hollyoaks' extra in the starring role!

And going again this year!

Hope that helps.

I meant the rocknroll one. Micro proactive went to his first panto at 3 in Wolverhampton. Loved it.

They do do that sort of stuff Carol. My nephew is 7 and has loved it every time he's been, I'm not sure he's an older child.

Thanks everyone, I have a clearer picture now.

 

[emilywogan]

There is plenty of "Oh no he isn't" and "he's behind you" and normally a chase through the theatre too! It does all have the usual participation kids love. I have been with little ones varying in age, youngest was 3 and all happy.

 

[Gramaisc]

Windmill Radio review - This year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre is Jack and the Beanstalk. Although the format is the same as last year and the years in recent memory, there is feeling of freshness about the 2015/16 season. To start with there are many new cast members who grace the stage with their impeccable talent in both their acting and their musical performance. If you have never seen a rock ‘n’ roll panto in Stafford before then you will be amazed by the multitude of talent as the cast members switch from acting to playing one of the many instruments live on stage as the action is taking place.

At the centre of Jack and the Beanstalk there is a strong storyline based on the original book, which is not afraid to change to suit the rock ‘n’ roll panto format. Holding the storyline together is the dame. TJ Holmes gives a whole new approach to the role of Dame Dolly bringing a more understated but often physical performance without losing any of the comedy. The story flowed from one scene to the next and was easy to follow for the younger members of the audience, which is a credit to the writing of Peter Rowe and the direction once again of Paulette Randall.

The casting of this year’s pantomime was once again excellent, with exceptional new talent finding its way to Stafford for the festive season. The bar has been set very high by performers of previous years and it is a pleasure to know that every effort has been made to find some of the best singers, musicians and actors for the small cast this year. The vocal harmonies were faultless and some of the solo performances were world class. It was sometimes hard to believe that the full sound that we experienced was coming from the small number of musicians playing at any one time live on stage, but that is exactly where it was coming from and we watched each individual switch from guitar or saxophone, to keyboards or flute and then we forgot they were there at all as we were transfixed on the vocal performers.

There were wonderful surprises this year with some larger-than-life characters and new jokes mixed in with purposely placed groaners. The cast involved the audience at various points in the storyline, with much shouting from the children and adults alike. The rather evil Fleshcreep, played by the returning Gregory Clarke, compelled you to ‘boo’ and ‘hiss’ at his appearance, much was his presence on stage. Jack and the Beanstalk is a technically demanding pantomime, but the sets and props were a pleasing and vitally important part of the show and were very well used to convey the more physical parts of the story, such as Jack climbing the beanstalk.

On the whole, the two hours of the show went by too quickly as we were entertained throughout. Jack and the Beanstalk is a fantastic display of how a modern pantomime should be written and performed. It is fun for the whole family and I recommend it for big ones and little ones alike.

https://www.facebook.com/staffordra...5355445835924/992497057455088/?type=3&theater

 

[Carole]

Well it sounds wonderful but in the end I booked for the panto at Hanley.

Mainly for logistics because I am taking my great nephew (aged 27) and his two boys aged 4 and 6 (my great great nephews!!!) and I am taking my great neice aged 24 and her daughter (my great great neice) aged 5.

As they all live in Stoke and we are all going on the same day, it seemed sensible as its easier for them to get to than Stafford.

 

[Bobfish]

Look out for the monster mask at the end

 

[Carole]

We went to the panto today at The Regent in Hanley and everyone had a good time (they hadn't been before so they had nothing to compare it with)

Johnathan Wilkes is very good at what he does and I did enjoy the show....but there wasn't one "he's behind you"

Only one "oh yes he is, oh no he isnt"

The last panto I went to I was wiping the tears of laughter away and this one did make us laugh but my sides didnt ache like other pantos I had been to.

The boys aged 4 and 6 loved it.
The girl aged 5 was bored, but to be fair she has no attention span at all.

 

[Withnail]

Panto 2016 sorted,then?

 

[Carole]

Panto 2016 sorted,then?

Its still 2015.

Am I allowed to go to more than one?

 

[Withnail]

Oh yes you are.

 

[Rowley Reg]

I believe they sign off this event with an "adult" performance......

As a confirmed non-panto attendee of 20 years standing, got dragged along to the adult version last year and thoroughly enjoyed it - and have booked again for this year - it is very tongue in cheek, excellent music, and a few beers in bar makes for an excellent night. Tickets normally sell-out very fast though...