pathological bullshitter. who‘s perfectly willing to see Gepetto (Simon Scott). the coffin dodger who fashioned him from wood. do chokey for his ills. He'll never turn from wood to flesh if he keeps being tempted into telling porkies by such folk as a huxter fox (Andy Clark) and his dodgy cat assistant (Molly Innes). Enter goody blue shoes the Azure Fairy (Shonagh Price) and her camp David Gower looky-like mutt (Matthew Pidgeon) to show he might turn into a real boy if he behaves. Wooden that be luvverly’?
The Verdict Mark Thomson's adaptation of this childrens‘ favourite into a Christmas show places emphasis on a kind of Protestant work ethic as the basis of moral growth. In truth it takes a while to crank up to full speed. but when it does. it really cooks. This is in large part due some good performances all round -~ the cast positively takes fire by late on. ln particular, Pidgeon‘s gay poodle and Clark's contrasting Fife hardman dog are an absolute treat. each a masterpiece of comic timing by themselves. (Steve Cramer)
GREEN WHALE
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, until Sun 24 Dec 0000
The pitch Three Edinburgh children stow away on the ‘Big Betty' whaling ship. hoping to raise money for their poor family. Onboard they meet Nin the merciless hunter. Crill the eccentric captain, Isabella the former Queen of Spain and a mysterious girl 'from the sea‘. Together they set sail in search of the infamous Green Whale. a creature so large it can swallow their ship whole. but so gentle it can rescue and raise a human baby. But when they finally find it. killing the whale isn't as easy as it once seemed . . .
The verdict Licketyspit is known for its engaging blend of stOrytelling, innovative staging and live music. And Green Whale hits the spot just as Mo/ly Whi/ppie. Magic Spaghetti et al did before it. Four actors switch characters with ease and clarity. ensuring nobody 's lost along the way. The young audience is invited to ‘ioin' the ship's crew and salute the captain. clap along with songs and keep an eye out for the eponymous mammal. While the 'Big Betty' itself is a sight to behold. especially when it transforms into the whale. (Kelly Apter)
CINDERELLA King's Theatre, Edinburgh, until Sun
21 Jan .000
The Pitch Poor old Cinders (Carolyn Gibb). she's a decent sort of lass. but much put upon by her sisters Trinny and Susannah (Jo Freer. Julie Coombe). who Suffer from a chronic inability to confront their own mauketness. Along comes a Prince who talks nothing but balls (John James Aitken). but she'll never get her hands on the sceptre Without help from a suspiciously virile fairy godmother (Allan Stewart). Can her dunderheid dad (Andy Gray) Or wee mate Buttons (Ross Marshall) help to overcome the schemes of the Mandelsonesgue Prince Rupert (Grant Stott)? Well, what do you think?
The Verdict Some hoary old chestnuts are hauled up for this panto. which marks The King's c<~>ntenary. but they seem well worthwhile for their comic effect. Sprinkled in with contemporary parodies of such phenomena as The Weakest Link. the M88 advertisement and the Sugarbabes. we get such old treats as Stewart and Gray's Torville and Dean routine. These two mug away as ever to splendid effect. while Grant Stott's villain shows an elegant sense of play. It's all pretty much as you'd expect. if you've seen it in previous years. and thoroughly enjoyable for that. (Steve Cramer)
Cinderella
DICK MCWHITTINGTON
Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, until Sat 30 Dec .000
The Pitch All Alice (Katrina Bryan) has ever longed for is Dick. He (Robert Jack) feels some affection for her. too. but he's got his hands full with his mum (Graham Cramond) who. unusually. has a Pinkie Winkie ~ Jack's little brother (Aaron Usher). And this isn't the only impediment to them getting together. since evil King Rat (Edward Cory) wants to take over Musselburgh. and fill it with parking wardens and teachers. Only Dick. with
a bit of help from an incompetent water spirit (Kerry 1 yii Hamilton) can stop her. Meantime. he'll feel better with a bit of pussy. and gets it from Dom, his beloved mogee (Claire Shepherd), who's also a bit of a martial artist.
The Verdict Given its resources. liani Rudden. directing his own script. produces a little storiner here. Deftly paced. inventive and packed with incident. this is certainly the best the building has seen since Mark Thomson's glorious pantos from the days of the house company. There's plenty of contemporary reference.
1.1 [)m: 1)(‘()t1 .1 Jan :"UUi' THE LIST 99