Shire Magazine Jan-Feb 2020

Discover what Shire’s team thought of the concerts, live events and theatre they’ve seen over the past couple of months at local venues

ALADDIN, THEATRE SEVERN

Christmas isn’t Christmas in Shrewsbury until you’ve been to the spectacular Theatre Severn pantomime. This year, it’s a magical production of Aladdin, with a stellar line-up of top-quality performers. As always, the stage is stolen by the fabulous dame played by Brad Fitt – this year he’s Widow Twankey. Forget Brad Pitt, Brad Fitt is the only superstar my family wants to meet! Just his presence on stage can produce peals of laughter from children, mums, dads and grandparents alike. The supporting cast includes a handsome young Aladdin (Harry Winchester) and his leading lady Victoria McCabe, who makes a winning Princess Jasmine. Brad Fitt has some comedy competition from Dave Bibby as Wishy Washy, Dec Moran as PC Pongo and a deliciously sinister Abanazar (Phil Stewart), while the two genies provide songs, funky dance moves and yet more laughs. With many must-have panto favourites – including fantastically colourful costumes, bandage-wrapped mummies who are ‘BEHIND YOU!’ and references to other local pantos – Aladdin is simply not to be missed. EW

Until 12th January. www.theatresevern.co.uk

LIGHT FANTASTIC AT THE LANTERN PARADE, CHESTER ZOO The magic begins as you arrive at Chester Zoo’s festive Lantern Parade, entering through a giant archway adorned with twinkling lights. I was concerned my children (11, 10 and eight) may be a little old – but it proved to be a fantastic opportunity for children of all ages (and adults!) to experience the magic of Christmas with giant illuminated lanterns shaped like zoo animals.

There are several worlds with themes such as Moonlit Meadow, Tropical Dreams and our favourite, Underwater World. The neon colours brought it to life and the huge mechanical octopus was a hit with the children.

It took around 90 minutes to walk it, although it could be quicker at quiet times. That included a pit stop at the festive food market with quaint wooden huts o ering tasty treats and warming drinks. With full tummies we continued through another magical light tunnel to meet four giant talking penguins, which the eight-year-old loved! A lovely festive evening for all ages. AB ‘Giant illuminated lanterns shaped like zoo animals’

‘Santa’s Grotto was bigger and better than ever before’ COED-Y-DINAS FOOD & CRAFT FAIR The annual Christmas Food & Craft Fair held at Coedy-Dinas, near Welshpool, was a huge success. Adding a third day, and bringing the event forward a week in the calendar, certainly paid o . With more than 70 decorated stalls, all jam-packed with the best-quality food and drink from mid Wales and the borders, there was plenty to tempt everyone’s tastebuds and a real buzz around the stalls. Everyone I talked to said how proud they felt to have so much local food talent and delicious produce, and that it was great to see it showcased so well on their doorstep. There were stilton and apple sables from Oak Apple Catering in Shrewsbury, awardwinning ales from Monty’s Brewery, Montgomery, and fi ne teas and mead from Morgan’s Brew Tea Company in Welshpool.

Jewellers sold bespoke silver and gold designs, which made ideal Christmas presents, and there were colourful, handmade birdboxes and insect hotels.

Santa’s Grotto was bigger and better than ever before – and he was due to fl y in by helicopter the following week, giving sta extra time to prepare for his arrival.

Along with Shrewsbury’s Chocolate Festival, this is defi nitely the mustvisit event in the region for festive foodies. Visit www.coedydinas.co.uk for information about next year’s festival. SW

PETER PAN, CREWE LYCEUM

The Crewe Lyceum Theatre was founded in 1911, the same year that JM Barrie’s classic high-fl ying adventure Peter Pan was published. An apt choice then for this year’s Christmas production, and it doesn’t disappoint, bursting with energy, fun and laughter. The swashbuckling show sees the return of Cannon and Ball for their fourth consecutive Crewe Lyceum panto, alongside X Factor star Chico as Big Chief Chico, leader of the Neverlanders. It also features Malcolm Lord as Dame Mrs Smee, Stefan Pejic as Captain Hook, Joshua Wyatt as Peter Pan and Danielle Lockwood as Tinker Bell.

Cannon and Ball bring the house down with cheeky antics and ad-libbed humour, while Joshua Wyatt is an energetic Peter. Chico takes to his role as Big Chief like a duck to water, singing his smash ‘It’s Chico Time’ which is a hit with the parents. The action scenes are well choreographed and peppered with smart moves, and the younger cast members – provided by the

YSD Theatre School – are particularly impressive. There are the usual references to local landmarks, and Andy Eastwood as Starkey gets everyone in the festive spirit with a trio of Christmas songs. Everyone left with a smile on their face and a spring in their step thanks to a great show with a perfect balance of storytelling and music. AB

PETER PAN, STORYHOUSE CHESTER The Storyhouse’s production of Peter Pan brings JM Barrie’s classic story bang up to date while retaining all the magic, excitement and fun of the original tale.

James Phoon plays an exuberantly cocky Peter, who still manages to convey a lovable vulnerability, with Charlie Enoch as a sassy Welsh Tinker Bell who can deliver a killer comeback.

All the traditional elements are there, although not quite as you remember them: Captain Hook (a formidable Imogen Slaughter) brings a wonderful sense of fun to the villainous role, and Tiger-Lily is a feisty ninja who can easily outsmart the hapless pirates. Neverland is a wonderfully imagined playground of rope ladders and mushrooms where the line between real and imaginary is deliciously blurred. The flying is spectacular, taking the action to new heights and leaving us feeling we had witnessed a slice of true Christmas magic. HG Until 12th January. www.storyhouse.co.uk ‘All the magic and fun of the original tale’

ROD STEWART, LIVERPOOL ARENA; MATT GOSS: A VEGAS CHRISTMAS, HILTON, LIVERPOOL

When Rod entered the stage, the place erupted. What a mover, dancer, performer, entertainer, showman!

‘Forever Young’, ‘First Cut Is The Deepest’, ‘I Don’t Want To Talk About It’, ‘Have I Told You Lately’, ‘Having A Party’ – the hits kept coming. How can a man of 74 have so much energy? The audience, mainly in their 50s and 60s, felt as young as Rod seemed, and the two hours went by too fast.

ALED JONES AND RUSSELL WATSON, TWEEDMILL, ST ASAPH

Hundreds of fans enjoyed a show from singers Aled Jones and Russell Watson at Tweedmill in St Asaph, celebrating the shopping centre’s 25th anniversary. These giants of the classical world performed two 20-minute slots featuring material from their new joint album, Back In Harmony. Afterwards there was a meet-and-greet with fans, while competition winners met the pair for a private

Bros singer Matt Goss has brought his Vegas show to the UK and it’s a full evening’s entertainment, with a champagne reception and four-course meal! Matt talked to fans throughout, making everyone feel special, and even invited one on stage for a dance. The music from the ninepiece band was wonderful, and I left with happiness in my heart. DL

afternoon tea in Tweedmill’s new tea room, Booth’s. Aled and Russell are longtime friends and you could see this in their onstage presence as they joked with each other and engaged the appreciative crowds. Back In Harmony, their second record together following 2018’s In Harmony, is out now.

I hadn’t seen Judge Jules since the early 1990s but although I’m a little older (and hopefully wiser) now, I still love the Ibiza classics. My fears of being the oldest there were unfounded – most of the sell-out crowd were there to relive their youth. The warm-up DJ got the crowds going with some classics before Jules and his 10-piece band took to the stage. Even though he was DJ-ing, the band were the focus. These phenomenally talented musicians (including guitarists, a trombonist and a trumpeter) added a whole new dimension – this was clubbing on another level.

The Live Rooms in Chester proved the perfect venue – large enough for a fantastic atmosphere but small enough to feel intimate. And as a

bonus, the evening finished at 11.30pm so I was home just after midnight. I don’t think I could manage an all-nighter these days… AB

JOHN ILLSLEY, THEATRE SEVERN John Illsley, one of the founding members of legendary British band Dire Straits, is back on the road with a new band and came to Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn to showcase an incredible back catalogue.

The night featured his own music as well as Dire Straits classics including ‘Sultans Of Swing’, ‘Money For Nothing’ and ‘Brothers In Arms’, all performed with a new spin. The evening included a Q&A, during which John revealed the story of Dire Straits from their humble beginnings in London to playing all over the world to millions of fans, including their legendary Live Aid performance.

The band left the stage after an encore to a standing ovation from those left mistyeyed from a trip back to the music of one of the greatest rock bands of all time. It was a pleasure and a privilege to be in John’s company for the evening. CB ‘It featured his own music and Dire Straits classic’

PIETRO FRESA, MARKET DRAYTON FESTIVAL CENTRE

This recital by the talented 19-year-old Italian beautifully illustrated the development of the romantic piano. It began with Mozart’s ‘Piano Sonata in F Major’ and Robert Schumann’s ‘Sonata No 2’, with their gorgeously lyrical second movements. After the interval came Chopin’s ‘Ballade No 4’, a piece that condenses a lifetime into a

dozen minutes. Pietro’s playing combined the sensitive and sonorous with the dashing and heroic – a captivating performance. JH

If you have a show happening anywhere in Wales and the Borders, we can send a reviewer – and your show can appear under the spotlight on these pages too! Email details to editorial@ shiremagazine.co.uk GET IN TOUCH! If you have a show in the Shire patch, we can send a reviewer – and your show can appear under the spotlight on these pages too! Email the details to editorial@ shiremagazine.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you!