Christopher Walker reviews Puss in Boots at Wonderville
The Above The Stag Theatre was something of an icon to London’s LGBT community.
It was a fringe company with a focus on producing LGBT-themed theatre.
Indeed, It was the only producing venue in the UK presenting a year-round programme of LGBT-interest theatre.
Originally above a pub in Victoria that was demolished to make way for gentrification, it fled south of the River, moving to a renovated railway arch in Vauxhall.
Sadly, that venue seemed plagued with various structural problems, and in August 2022, the theatre announced that it had ceased trading and permanently closed its Vauxhall venue.
This left a big hole in London theatre’s broad canvas.
Since then it has kept faith with its audience by effectively creating pop up theatre pieces in various venues while it awaits a new home (generous millionaires please take note).
One of those pop ups is its traditional Christmas panto, and this year the team offer us Puss in Boots at the Wonderville venue in Haymarket.
It is tremendous fun, thanks to some smart writing and clever direction by Tim McArthur and Lucy Penrose.
Ms Penrose is quite a talent, since as well as writing and directing, she also acts and sings.
Indeed her voice is very strong, and one can easily see why she was previously chosen to play Judy Garland.
Here she plays Master Baker, a likeable character rooted in Pantomime tradition.
Every panto has its Dame, and this one has two. Both played by the highly talented Andrew Lambe, in the most outrageous costumes.
At one stage he even transforms into a fondant fancy thanks to Michelle Taylor Knight.
Joseph Dewey’s incredible videos also perform wonders.
The Prince Charming is Connor Mc Grane while Adam Rhys-Davies is utterly hilarious as Kevin the Ogre.
Strangely reminiscent of one of my brother-in-laws.
Oli Ross deserves particular praise for standing in as Puss herself at the last moment due to illness.
She carried the part incredibly well for an understudy.
All in all some hilarious, and remarkably clean, fun. And a brave effort to keep the rainbow flag flying.
https://abovethestag.com/puss-in-boots
Photo credit: Gaz at PBGStudios
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