If you have tickets to see this year’s panto at the Kenton Theatre in Henley, you’re in for a treat and if you haven’t get booking now! My first visit to experience the panto in Henley and my son and I had the most amazing night. You can save 10% on tickets too with the code REDKITEJACK
The Henley panto at Kenton Theatre is performed by multi-nominated production company, Immersion Theatre and they bring high energy, brilliant vocals, back to back jokes and charismatic characters to the stage. It almost feels like they’ve stepped out of the screen of a blockbuster animation.
The panto follows the traditional story of Jack and The Beanstalk with all the great elements of what makes a visit to the panto a favouarite family tradition. Add to that a brilliant sound track of hit songs that have you bopping along in your seat and you have a winner.
I loved how they set up the good vs evil right from the start with clever lighting. Fairy Sprouts has a wonderfully vibrant personality that shines out along with her bright pink hair and snazzy costume. Her side of the stage was all lit in pinks while the love to hate baddie Creepstink has the most animated face and had us all booing at the top of our voices with dark lighting tinged with green. I think our favourite Creepstick scene was when he sang Robbie William’s Let Me Entertain You with jets of smoke and his evil backing dancers.
Jack Trott and Silly Simon are a super comedy duo and had us laughing throughout. The highlight that my son and I are still talking about is the most hilarious scene where Silly Simon has a broken Apple watch (he literally has an apple on his wrist) and everytime Simon or Jack says something they burst into a line from a popular song. Hard to describe but if you go see it, you’ll be laughing your head off!
Now it wouldn’t be a panto without a dame and Tilly Trott exudes everything that makes a panto great. So many great costumes, fab voice, perfectly timed comedy and of course a little teasing of an audience member.
The giant appears towards the end of the panto and his booming voice is scary but not too scary for kids.
Something a little different to most pantos is the rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas, but with a twist and a lot of laughs and beware the water pistols!
I don’t think I’ve clapped, laughed or stamped my feet so much in one performance before.
You always need a grand finale to leave you on a high from a panto and I’m Still Standing had us all on our feet, cheering, dancing, clapping and grinning.
Get ready for a GIGANTIC panto experience – this is the one you’ve BEAN waiting for!
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