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One hundred people’s ninth favourite thing: [title of show] @swkplay

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[title of show] takes you back to a time before the fast paced social media where word of mouth for a positive show came from chat boards, video diaries or (god forbid) blogs. A simple staging makes it an ideal (and economical piece to stage), but it’s sweet and earnest take on just putting on a show, and putting it out there and taking a chance gives this show its heart. With a strong and energetic cast and endless musical theatre references, it’s hard to resist and it’s currently playing at the Southwark Playhouse .  It opens with Hunter (Jacob Fowler) and Jeff (Thomas Oxley) as struggling young writers in New York City. An upcoming New York Musical Theatre festival, inspires them to write an original musical within three weeks to make the deadline. As they discuss ideas, writers block, distractions and endless other good and bad musicals, an idea for a show emerges. Which is about writing a show for a musical theatre festival.  Their friends Heidi (Abbie Budden) and Susan (Mary Moor

Panto at the sofa: The Legend of Moby Dick Whittington @wesleepingtrees


If you’re missing live theatre and missing live panto, Sleeping Trees have come up with an ingenious way to bring the spirit of panto season to your living room or your makeshift office (if you’re not casting it on television). The Legend of Moby Dick Whittington isn’t a show for couch potatoes either as you’ll find yourself throwing things at your telly or making a ship out of a sofa. And my household agreed that at fifty minutes long it has more laughs than series four of the Crown. 

The premise is that Dick Whittington having defeated King Rat, is Mayor of London. And during his first Christmas Santa is eaten by a large white wale. And so with the help of Dr Arab, a marine biologist they find the Whale, and get out Santa and save Christmas.

Sleeping Trees have a history of turning traditional pantomimes on their head. Previous shows included Cinderella and the Beanstalk and Scrooge and the Seven Dwarves. Now with The Legend of Moby Dick Whittington, they can use the magic of recorded performance to make silly special effects and play multiple characters without the need for quick costume changes. 


Watching Sleeping Trees live is hilarious. On a live stream, they have managed to convey the same energy and commitment to silliness. And this makes the humour, combined some inspired effects rather infectious. Even the most ambivalent pantomime viewers will be on their side by the time the battle on a remote island between a rat, a cat, Pinocchio, Dick Whittington and a dude at a coffee shop. 

A show for all the family, regardless of its shape or size or age. And a bargain at just a fiver. Directed by Kerry Frampton and performed by James Dunnell-Smith, Joshua George Smith and John Woodburn as Sleeping Trees. The Legend of Moby Dick Whittington is available to stream from their website until 5 January.

🎄 🎄🎄🎄 



Photos by Shaun Reynolds


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